Tag: digital therapy

‘The Disinhibition Effect’ is a phenomenon that explains much of why people often behave differently online than they do in person.

The term was first coined by John Suler in 2004 and it has become much more common with the birth of the internet and social media, however this phenomenon has been documented in recent history way before the internet was even a thing.

Suler’s definition explores how the anonymity and invisibility of the online world can reduce people’s inhibitions, leading them to act in ways they might not otherwise. This can can have either positive effects (increased openness and emotional expression) or negative outcomes (aggression, trolling or inappropriate comments).

Understanding the Disinhibition Effect

There are several factors that fuel online behaviour:

• You don’t know me (Dissociative anonymity) – a certain degree of anonymity to the person we’re communicating with helps us to detach from ourselves and we feel more able to voice our thoughts and feelings.
• You can’t see me (Invisibility) – Not being visually seen by others gives us a sense of protection from vulnerability, which in turn leads to lowering our inhibitions. It also makes it much easier to misrepresent ourselves to others.
• See you later (Asynchronicity) – When communication is not in real time (e.g. email or commenting on social media posts), it can feel easier to say things that are difficult, uncomfortable or socially unacceptable. Having no immediate consequences to what’s been said creates a sense of safety and protection.
• It’s all in my head (Solipsistic introjection) – When we don’t know much or see all of the person we are talking to, our mind unconsciously ‘fills in the blanks’. We then make assumptions about others and imagine up ideas of who we think they are.
• It’s just a game (Dissociative imagination) – the abstract idea of an online world can lead to a belief that the usual practice of social etiquette isn’t needed during online interactions.
• Your rules don’t apply here (Minimisation of status and authority) – The prevailing ethos that everyone is equal in online spaces can make it appear that ‘nobody is in charge’, and so people tend to engage with each other as peers. This can also lead to a belief that both everyone and no-one is an ‘expert’, blurring the distinction between individual opinions and established facts.

The Disinhibition Effect in Online Therapy

In the context of online therapy (whether that’s video-calling, telephone or email), this disinhibition effect can impact the therapy in a variety of ways:

Increased openness

Clients may feel more able to be vulnerable earlier on in the therapy process, revealing thoughts and feelings that they usually find too difficult or distressing to share with others. This can speed up the therapeutic process and quickly create a strong bond (aka therapeutic alliance) between client and therapist.

Emotional overwhelm

The same openness could also lead clients to delve into deeply distressing subject matter much quicker than in real life. An important part of therapy is to be able to explore such subject matter in a safe and contained way, and speaking to quickly about things can be psychologically unsafe for the client. A good therapist will help guide you to talk about these things at a pace that is safe for you.

Vulnerability hangovers

Similarly, when we are brave enough to take a risk and share our vulnerability with someone else, we can feel really exposed; common feelings that arise from this include guilt, shame, fear and regret. The nature of online therapy means we’re more likely to be vulnerable with our therapists, so it’s important to note that ‘vulnerability hangovers’ may be more common during online therapy.

Therapist-Client boundaries

Boundaries are what help us trust and feel safe when with others, and professional boundaries in therapy are incredibly important in protecting both the client and therapist from harm. Having sessions online can blur the professional boundaries that are essential for safe and effective therapy, and your online therapist should be communicating these boundaries from the very beginning. Some examples of these include starting and ending sessions at the agreed time, avoiding communication that is casual or out of hours, maintaining privacy and avoiding interruptions during sessions.

Self-expression

The ability to detach from and lower our inhibitions when communicating with a therapist online often leads to easier and more self-expression in comparison to in-person therapy. Feeling more protected from negative consequences of emotional vulnerability leads to less shame and embarrassment when sharing difficult thoughts and feelings. Having therapy by email also gives the client more time to articulate themselves and their issues better.

Thinking of having online therapy? Get in touch to see how I can help

References:

Suler, J. (2004). The Online Disinhibition Effect. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 7(3), 321–326.

The Disinhibition Effect in Online Therapy – Counselling tutor

What do Counsellors and Psychotherapists mean by boundaries? – BACP