ISMHO Online Clinical Case Study Group

In the months before the turn of the millennium, the International Society for Mental Health Online (ISMHO) created its Clinical Case Study Group. This research and training group is devoted to the discussion of psychotherapy cases and professional clinical encounters that involve the Internet. The creation of the group evolved out of the need for more in-depth explorations of clinical cases in which online life and interventions play an important role. The group's philosophy is that clinical work involving cyberspace sometimes will resemble traditional in-person psychotherapy, but also that the Internet has resulted in some very new clinical issues and a fascinating variety of unique intervention formats. In order to develop a comprehensive and integrated framework for understanding clinical work involving cyberspace, the group investigates cases that cover a range of topics:

• face-to-face (f2f) therapy cases in which contact with the client via the Internet played a significant role (e.g., e-mail between sessions, the use of web sites as resources)
• short and long term clinical encounters with people that occurred primarily via the Internet (e.g., therapy via e-mail or chat)
• professional consultations that occurred via the Internet, including, for example, giving advice and/or information to people who contact an online professional and supervision via the Internet (e.g., via e-mail or message boards)
• f2f therapy cases in which the client's activities in cyberspace were a significant issue in the therapy
• f2f treatment which is supplemented by use of journals, inter-session email, and/or use of other online modalities which enrich the f2f sessions or allow continuity when either client or clinician is away
• online groups and communities in which the mental health professional acts as a organizer, facilitator, or consultant

The group operates as an e-mail list. To help maximize confidentiality, cohesion, and group identity, the list is kept small in size (approximately 10-15). Members are expected to present a case during each round of presentations and to participate in the discussion of other people's cases. Initially structured similarly to a grand rounds format, participants each presented a case which lasted for a given period of time (one or 2 weeks). Over the years, as participants had each been with the group a minimum of 2 years, the format has evolved so that ongoing cases and special topic threads also became a focus of advanced-level clinical work and peer supervision.

The ethics of online clinical work and the welfare of any clients or groups discussed in the presentations are considered of paramount importance. All of the clinicians adhere to the best practice and ethical standards pertaining to one's specific profession and location, and follow ISMHO's suggested principles for online clinical practice.

Publications of the Case Study Group include:

Members of the Group

Azy Barak (1999-2002)
Peter Chechele (1999-2001)
Tom Crain (1999-2001)
Kym Dawson (2000-2001)
Michael Fenichel (1999-2004)
Betsy Frier Walker (1999-2000)
Robert Hsiung (1999-2001)
Ron Huxley (2003-2004)
Jim Jarvis (1999-2001)
Gill Jones (2001-2004)
Jim Maguire (1999-2001)
Vagdevi Meunier (2000-2004)
Kali Munro (2001-2004)
Gayla Novitsky (1999-2000)
Pamela Rudat (1999-2000)
Lois Shawver (2001-2002)
Gary Stofle (1999-2001)
John Suler (1999-2002)
Clay Tucker-Ladd (2000-2001)
Mark Vardell (2000-2001)
Willadene Walker-Schmucker (1999-2004)
Elizabeth Zelvin (2001-2004)