Therapeutic Presence in Mediated Psychotherapy: The uncanny stranger in the room

[abstract]

Taking the perspective of the therapist, this chapter reflects on the ways in which both the lack of important physical cues and the addition of media artefacts (such as audio/video synchronization problems and technological glitches) affect the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic presence in distance psychotherapy using the telephone and videoconferencing technologies.

Keywords Presence; Therapeutic Presence; Therapeutic Relationship; Distance Psychotherapy; Distance Psychoanalysis; Skype.