With the proliferation of internet technology, particularly the widespread application of artificial intelligence (AI), and the enhanced accessibility of therapists' personal information, therapist-targeted googling (TTG) has gradually become a noteworthy phenomenon in psychological counseling practice. Based on empirical studies conducted domestically and internationally, this research reviews the prevalence, motivations, and impact of TTG on therapeutic processes. It indicates that TTG is relatively common among clients even though they disclose such behavior infrequently. Motivations for TTG are diverse, including curiosity, verification of professional competence, attachment needs, and the pursuit of power balance. Emotional responses following TTG and its effects on the therapeutic relationship show considerable individual variation. While most outcomes are neutral to positive, some clients experience a crisis of trust due to conflicting information or perceived boundary ambiguities. Furthermore, drawing on traditional counseling principles such as self-disclosure, abstinence, and neutrality, this paper examines the challenges TTG poses to the therapist's professional role and therapeutic framework. The authors propose practical strategies to help psychotherapists better navigate the complexities of therapeutic relationships in the digital age, thereby enhancing safety and effectiveness of psychotherapy.
ZHAO Junxiu
,
WU Qianying
,
WANG Liwei
,
ZHANG Chen
,
ZHANG Lei
. New Challenges in Psychotherapy in the Digital Era: Clients' Motivations, Implications, and Coping Strategies for Therapist-Targeted Googling[J]. Psychological Communications, 2025
, 8(3)
: 242
-248
.
DOI: 10.12100/j.issn.2096-5494.225033
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