Embracing Technology in Social Work: A Case Study on the Effectiveness of Online Counseling Services for Social Welfare Development

This study explores the effectiveness of online counseling services in increasing access to mental health support, addressing geographical, financial, and stigma barriers. Mental health issues are prevalent, yet access to counseling services remains limited. This mixed-methods study with a quasi-experimental design investigates the outcomes of online counseling services compared to traditional face-to-face counseling. The findings suggest that online counseling effectively increases access to mental health support, particularly for rural and underserved populations, with no significant differences in outcomes compared to face-to-face counseling.