The handbook is divided into four parts.

Part I, “Psychology and Counseling Online,” discusses use, potential, and online counseling research findings to date. Chapter 1, “Online Behavior, Communication, and Experience,” lays the foundation to the exploration of online counseling with a general presentation of the Internet and its uses for both consumers and health care professionals. The potential of online health care delivery in the twenty-first century is discussed. Chapter 2, “The Psychology of Text Relationships,” analyses and explains the nature of text-based relationships, which are either synchronous, as with text messages and chat in real time, or asynchronous, as with email exchanges, message boards, and blogs. The importance of understanding the relationship between what is said and how it is said is discussed. In Chapter 3, “Online Counseling: Does it Work? Research Findings to Date,” empirical evidence, research findings, and future trends related to mental health services online are presented.

Part II presents the practical aspects of online counseling. In Chapter 4, “The Technology of Online Counseling,” the author discusses the technological aspects of online counseling, explaining in detail the hardware, software, and networking infrastructure that allow mental health professionals and clients to communicate via the Internet. Chapter 5 explains ethical issues in online counseling. The ethical framework for professional online counseling is examined. Understanding the ethical requirements related to online practice is made easy with the 10 simple principles of EthicsCode.com. In Chapter 6, “Legal Issues for Online Counselors,” the laws and regulations related to online counseling are presented. Legal issues and risks for professionals who work online are discussed, and ways in which to avoid such problems are suggested. Chapter 7, “The Business of Online Counseling,” discusses the practical, financial, and business aspects of online counseling. Strategies and steps that mental health professionals need to take in order to operate a successful online practice are explained.

Part III of the handbook discusses specific clinical skills for online counseling. Online counseling via email and chat, as well as various types of group work and theory, are presented in this section. In Chapter 8, titled “Text-based Online Counseling: Email,” the authors present asynchronous online counseling and discuss email counseling. Clinical approaches to e-counseling are presented, case management challenges are discussed, and an annotated case study is provided. In Chapter 9, “Text-based Online Counseling: Chat,” modalities in counseling and psychotherapy are presented. Clinical approaches to therapeutic chat are explored, phases of online chat therapy are discussed, and a case study excerpt is provided. Chapter 10, “Counseling Groups Online: Theory and Framework,” discusses the historical development and current uses of group counseling online. The various sub-modalities of online group communications are presented and analyzed, and guidelines and suggestions for successful group work online are provided. In Chapter 11, “Clinical Work with Support Groups Online: Practical Aspects,” the authors discuss the empirical, practical, and clinical aspects of group counseling online. Specific recommendations for planning, starting, and managing a group online are presented. Risks, potential benefits, and conflict resolution strategies are explained, and clinical examples are provided. Chapter 12, “Internet-based Psychological Testing and Assessment,” presents the various ways in which online assessment tools are revolutionizing the field. Uses of online assessment tools for psychological testing, clinical diagnosis, self-assessment, and research collection are discussed. Advantages and disadvantages, as well as ethical and legal issues related to assessment online, are discussed. In Chapter 13, “International and Multicultural Issues” the authors explain multicultural issues as they relate to online counseling. Principles for clinical work in a multicultural online environment are discussed, with a review of suggested guidelines.

Part IV of the handbook, consisting of Chapter 14, explores tomorrow’s health care environment. In this section the author looks into the future of health care in the US with a focus on online counseling, taking into consideration technological advancements as well as predictable patterns in tomorrow’s health care field.