Emotional First Aid on the Internet: Theory & Research

Many individuals who suffer from acute distress avoid seeking psychological assistance due to barriers such as shame, stigma, and lack of availability of sources. These barriers are reduced in the on-line environment as a result of its unique features, particularly anonymity, textual communication, and the ability to overcome the limits of time and space. Providing psychological assistance on the internet has become increasingly widespread over the last three decades by means of various channels such as personal chats, email, and online support groups. The emotional first aid provided by trained volunteers constitutes a unique context of online counselling that emerged from the well-known community mental health services known as hotlines. The present book presents the various applications and illuminates the potential advantages of emotional first aid via the online environment.