Counseling and Therapy: Finding Emotional Support on the Web

Mayo Clinic here presents “Marriage counseling: Working through relationship problems,” an article that discusses what marriage counseling is, who can benefit from marriage counseling, and how to choose a marriage counselor. The article links to other topics such as addressing family conflicts, and the types of mental health providers available.

Helpguide introduces psychotherapy, and relationship and marriage counseling, pointing out the differences and discussing the many types of therapy approaches. Scroll down this lengthy article to read sections devoted to couples, group therapy, telephone and online counseling.

The National Board for Certified Counselors is an independent, not-for-profit body that certifies counselors who meet its standards for training, experience, and performance on a standard exam. The NBCC has credentialed 42,000 counselors across the country, and its examinations are used by many states for their own credentialing practices. The NBCC maintains a directory of certified counselors, searchable by specialty and city or state.

The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has information about several mental and emotional conditions affecting families. The site also provides a therapist locator tool enabling you to search for a therapist in the United States, Canada, or overseas.

Rochester Marriage Counseling includes advice on stepfamilies, parent-child relationships, coping with divorce, marriage, and other issues affecting families. Also look for information on ADHD and facts on anxiety and depression, anger management, and stress.

The Stepfamily Foundation is dedicated to helping stepfamilies make their new family structure work. The “Articles and Resources” section is loaded with helpful articles for specific family members (moms and dads, grandparents and children) as well as advice on how to navigate holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Looking for a counselor in your area? The site offers a directory of counselors and coaches in the United States and several other countries.

WebMD has published an overview of group therapy, its benefits, what you can expect in group therapy, and how to tell if you might be a good candidate for this type of therapy.

Psychology Information Online provides information about several psychological treatment services, including group, couples, and family therapy. The site also features a National Directory of Psychologists if you'd like to look for a psychologist in your area.

The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) explains what group therapy is, who can benefit, and describes what a typical group therapy session is like. There’s a list of commonly asked questions and a search tool for finding a group therapist in your area.

ABC's of "Internet Therapy" found on metanoia.org, an online therapy site hosted by Psych Central, explains what you should know about seeking online therapy. This site helps you determine whether e-therapy will work for you, how to protect yourself from scam artists, and how to compare e-therapist qualifications.

WebMD explains the advantages, disadvantages, and safety issues related to online counseling. This article is a few years old but much of the content is still pertinent.