Online counselling: The motives and experiences of young people who choose the Internet instead of face to face or telephone counselling

Abstract

This study used a Consensual Qualitative Research methodology to explore the motivations and experiences of young people who utilize the Internet for counselling over other counselling media. Semi-structured online group interviews (focus groups) were conducted with 39 participants from the Kids Help Line, a 24-hour national telephone and counselling service located in Australia. Analysis revealed five domains relevant to the adolescents’ motives and experiences and the frequency of categories within and across cases were analyzed to generate and understand themes and patterns. Specific motivators and barriers are identified and discussed, as are implications for practice and continued research.

Keywords:

• Internet
• online
• counselling
• adolescents
• help-seeking behaviour
• mental health

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the participants and senior administrative and counselling staff at Kids Help Line who made this study possible.