A comparison of customer satisfation between e -therapy and face -to -face therapeutic modalities

Internet-based therapeutic solutions are a new modality that is influencing the provision of psychological services. Technology has influenced the provision of psychological services throughout history and particularly within the last 100 years. The telephone and television were the first electronically based means for delivering psychological help. Asynchronous e-therapy connects recipients in ways heretofore impossible and is a growing alternate modality that is competing with traditional therapy at a growing rate. The strength of e-therapy provides services to those who up to that time did not have the time, opportunity or finances to seek mental health services. On the other hand, Internet-based therapeutic services are limited at promoting or fostering a positive therapeutic environment, particularly for individuals suffering with serious and chronic psychological problems. The following research examined the satisfaction levels of engaging in the e-therapy modality and exploring the reason(s) for engaging in the modality using a mixed methods design. The study has examined the levels of satisfaction with services of recipients who utilized e-therapy, face-to-face therapy or a combination of both modalities. The study also examined gender to see if gender had any influences regarding the participant's level of satisfaction. The study explored the differences and similarities in the satisfaction between the three groups and the differences related to gender. The study results revealed a significant therapy group main effect. The participants from the e-therapy group did score significantly higher on satisfaction than the face-to-face group. The results indicated that the significant difference between the two therapy groups was not a function of the gender. The study also provided many interesting items for exploration and discussion. The result of the research presents a number of possible limitations that could have affected the out come of the study results.