Background
Advisory services on the internet are enjoying an ever-increasing demand; however, there is an accumulated need for evidence-based proof of efficacy. The presented study takes this into account and is designed as a multi-method evaluation of a psychosocial online consulting offer, specifically e-mail counseling of Catholic marriages, family and life counseling (EFL).
Material and methods
The evaluation followed a three-stage structure: (1) a quantitative survey of the clients with the topics of characteristics of the clientele, motives for the use and expectations of the e-mail consulting, media-specific features and efficacy as well as (2) in-depth analysis of qualitative interviews with clients and counselors and (3) content analysis of e-mail counseling courses.
Results
Overall a high degree of satisfaction with e-mail consultation could be identified using subjective and objective indicators as well as a general improvement in the state of those seeking advice. In addition, the relationship formation in an online setting was successful; media-specific characteristics represent no limitation of the counseling but occasionally even offer benefits to consulting dyad structures.