Not Just the Client: Understanding Counsellors’ Experiences of the Online Disinhibition Effect

Описание: Kathryn L. Broome, winner of the 2025 Counselling Research Award, discusses her research into the online disinhibition effect (the tendency for people to act differently online) within video-conferencing therapy. Her work addresses a significant gap: while the counselling field has focused on client disinhibition, counsellors' own experiences have been largely overlooked, a key inspiration for exploring this topic.

Key discussion points:
Online Disinhibition Defined: The tendency for people to act differently online—sometimes more open, sometimes more restrained—due to factors like distance, partial invisibility, and the mediation of technology.

Research Gap: Existing literature mostly combines all online modalities (email, text, video) and focuses on clients, not therapists.

Three Main Themes:
1. Personal Experiences: Disinhibition feels very different online vs. in-person—online, it’s often awkward or brings shame.
2. Adapting to Tech: Moving to video therapy was described as “weird” and effortful, with practical and emotional adjustments.
3. Therapeutic Relationship: Video changes boundaries and dynamics for both parties; the relationship is co-created through this new medium.

Importance of Reflection: Kathryn stresses the need for counsellors to reflect deeply—both individually and in supervision—on how the online setting shapes their own and clients' behaviours.

Our key takeaway: Video counselling isn’t just about managing clients' online behaviour—the therapist’s process and the co-creation of the virtual relationship also matter. Reflective practice and supervision tailored to online work are crucial as video therapy becomes a lasting part of the profession.