Conversing with a psychotherapist using two computers?

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Does anybody ever tried using two computers for easing the conversation with a psychotherapist? It is suggested in Tony Attwood’s book.

I'm wondering about this and want to try it.

Without the therapist's observations of your gestures, facial expressions, and other "body language", the therapy session is likely to only by as effective as communicating with Eliza.

As a supplement to face-to-face sessions, I can see that remote sessions might be useful, but not as a replacement, I don't think. The therapist who helped me with my alexithymia is a good example of the kind of thing where, as Fnord suggests, non-verbal communication can be critical. She spotted that although I didn't recognise my emotional state consciously, my prosody and body language did contain many clues that I wasn't picking up on, which she taught me to read more effectively.

I disagree with you here. I communicate so much better through computer than through speech. I also understand much better through computer than through listening. The loss of communication through trying to communicate through speech would far outweigh any gain from being able to see facial expression and body language.

I thought you meant that you were using two computers. I was unfamiliar with that technique.

Sure, you can communicate effectively on most ordinary topics, but is your communication equally as effective in a therapeutic context?

If I were a therapist working with an autistic client who was mostly or entirely mute, but who could communicate by typing, then I would certainly allow that - but the computer would have to be there in the office along with the person.

This, for the win.

I typed my first few sessions on an iPad (in the same room as the therapist)
Some I typed out prior to the appointment - just thoughts and questions.
When I got more comfortable I could use speech as well.

That's exactly how I interpreted the subject line too! I was very puzzled, wondering what on earth one would be using the second computer for, until I saw from some of the responses what it really meant.

Super taste

A couple of months ago, I thought about that

The current counselor (and almost all precious lil "people" that I have ever interacted with) have the nerve to tell me "huh" and "what instead of "excuse me". She also misheard some words. "Disturbing" versus "distressing". "Favor" versus "faith". "Neuroplasticity" versus "neurodeversity".

Furthermore, some articles claim some counselors offer email therapy

Thus far I have not done so

Actually a dry erase board chalk board could suffice. And the counselor could verbally talk to me.

Although then she can't read my handwriting



In some cases, the two computer approach works better than talking

In some cases talking works better

I haven't heard of email therapy, but I have heard of chat therapy or skype therapy.

I find those ideas intriguing and promising, although I don't think they are the ideal situation. They would be justified in cases where there is no other way to conduct therapy. For example, someone in a rural area very distant from a city center might have no other way at all to get therapy. And of course in the present thread, someone who is nonverbal as to speech although they can write, this might be a way to get through to them.

My communication in therapy sessions is just as "good" as my communication on ordinary topics. That is, both are still impaired by my communication disorder and limited to my knowledge and understanding of the topic (which was very poor in the beginning of my therapy). But, my point is that, if I had tried to communicate and understand my therapist without the aid of computers, I would have been so confused and incomprehensible that the exercise would have been pointless.

There is no substitute for face to face. Sure, I feel I communicate better in writing for a number of reason. I can collect my thoughts ahead of time. My thoughts flow better when I'm writing them down because the mere process of writing forces my brain into logical progressive thinking instead of the jumble that comes across with my speech. BUT there is a serious lack of the therapist's ability to OBSERVE first hand any shortcomings. Many shortcomings won't be apparent without long term exposure to each other.

For example, my current Primary Care doctor doesn't think I have autism at all because she only sees me in that setting for brief periods every few months. She doesn't see me when I'm not functioning well because I cancel on bad days. Why bother going if I can't communicate well that day?

On the other hand, if you're a stone when in a small cubicle with someone you don't know very well, and become nonverbal, skyping or messaging might help break the ice until you become comfortable.

The bottom line is though, you will never get the full benefit of your therapy if you don't meet face to face at all, so that should always be part of the goal along with using other methods.