Openness and Warmth in the Digital World: Examining Therapeutic Relationships in Online Counseling in Javanese Culture

Fajar Rosyidi; Niken Dwi Saputri; Esthi Mursithi; Novian Uticha Sally

doi:10.18326/pamomong.v5i2.2661

Authors

Fajar Rosyidi Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kudus, Indonesia
Niken Dwi Saputri Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri2 Bae, Kudus, Indonesia
Esthi Mursithi Universitas Muhamadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia
Novian Uticha Sally Dundee University, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18326/pamomong.v5i2.2661

Keywords:

Digital Counseling, Therapeutic Relationships, Javanese Culture, Togetherness, Openness

Abstract

The advancement of digital technology has significantly transformed counseling practices, including those in Indonesia. This study explores the therapeutic relationships in online counseling, particularly as the cultural values of togetherness and openness characteristic of Javanese society influence them. A qualitative approach, employing a phenomenological study design, was utilized for this research. The subjects included 15 participants, comprising eight counselors and seven clients, selected through purposive sampling techniques. Data collection involved in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and documentation. Techniques such as data triangulation and member checking were employed to ensure data validity. The findings reveal that while non-verbal communication barriers and limited personal interaction pose challenges, digital counseling expands access to services. Interestingly, in some cases, clients exhibit greater openness, benefiting from the anonymity and physical distance that digital platforms provide. This study emphasizes the significance of adopting a culturally informed counseling approach to enhance the quality of therapeutic relationships in the digital era.

References

Alt, D., Boniel-Nissim, M., Naamati-Schneider, L., & Meirovich, A. (2022). Precursors of Openness to Provide Online Counseling: The Role of Future Thinking, Creativity, and Innovative Behavior of Future Online Therapists. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 848235. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.848235

Asnaani, A., & Hofmann, S. G. (2012). Collaboration In Multicultural Therapy: Establishing A Strong Therapeutic Alliance Across Cultural Lines. Journal of clinical psychology, 68(2), 187–197. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21829

Asosiasi Psikolog Klinis Indonesia. (2022). Laporan Survei Layanan Psikologi di Indonesia: Preferensi Konseling Tatap Muka dan Online. Jakarta: APKI.

Barak, A., Klein, B., & Proudfoot, J. G. (2009). Defining Internet-Supported Therapeutic Interventions. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 38(1), 4-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9130-7

Blegur, R., Gading, N. P., Karo, D. B., & Rini, N. P. (2023). Layanan Konseling Online dan Sikap Etis Kristen. Jurnal Abdiel: Khazanah Pemikiran Teologi, Pendidikan Agama Kristen Dan Musik Gereja, 7(1), 37-53. https://doi.org/10.37368/ja.v7i1.455

Bolsinger, J., Jaeger, M., Hoff, P., & Theodoridou, A. (2020). Challenges and Opportunities in Building and Maintaining a Good Therapeutic Relationship in Acute Psychiatric Settings: A Narrative Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 965. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00965

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis In Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, And Mixed Methods Approaches. Third Edition. California: SAGE. Retrieved from https://www.ucg.ac.me/skladiste/blog_609332/objava_105202/fajlovi/Creswell.pdf

Dowell, N. M., & Berman, J. S. (2013). Therapist Nonverbal Behavior and Perceptions of Empathy, Alliance, and Treatment Credibility. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 23(2), 158–165. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031421

Fadhilah, M. F., Alkindi, D., & Muhid, A. (2021). Cyber Counseling sebagai Metode Meningkatkan Layanan Bimbingan dan Konseling di Sekolah: Literature Review. Counsellia: Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling, 11(1), 86–94. https://doi.org/10.25273/counsellia.v11i1.8393

Farjantoky, B. (2018). Pendekatan Realitas Berbasis Nilai Budaya Jawa "Berpikir Positif" untuk Mereduksi Pikiran Negatif Remaja. Prosiding SNBK (Seminar Nasional Bimbingan dan Konseling), 2(1), 415 – 428. Retrieved from https://prosiding.unipma.ac.id/index.php/SNBK/article/view/517

Finset, A., & Ornes, K. (2017). Empathy in the Clinician-Patient Relationship: The Role of Reciprocal Adjustments and Processes of Synchrony. Journal of patient experience, 4(2), 64–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373517699271

Foley, G. N., & Gentile, J. P. (2010). Nonverbal Communication In Psychotherapy. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 7(6), 38–44. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2898840/

Geertz, C. (1961). The Religion Of Java. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Gholizadeh, A., & Gorji, Y. (2024). The Effectiveness of Basic and Advanced Communication Skills Training on the Quality of Interpersonal Relationships and Organizational Commitment. Journal of Adolescent and Youth Psychological Studies (JAYPS), 5(7), 145-153. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jayps.5.7.16

Giordano, C., Ambrosiano, I., Graffeo, M. T., Di Caro, A., & Gullo, S. (2022). The Transition to Online Psychotherapy During The Pandemic: A Qualitative Study On Patients' Perspectives. Research in Psychotherapy (Milano), 25(3), 638. https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2022.638

Goss, S., & Anthony, K. (2003). Technology In Counselling And Psychotherapy: A Practitioner’s Guide. London: Red Globe Press.

Ilmi, A. M., Ramli, M. R., & Wahyuni, F. W. (2022). Konseling Realita Berbasis Nilai-Nilai Serat Wedhatama untuk Membentuk Karakter Unggul Peserta Didik: Literature Review. Counsellia: Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling, 12(1), 22-35. https://doi.org/10.25273/counsellia.v12i1.10802

Irarrázaval, L., & Kalawski, J. P. (2022). Phenomenological Considerations On Empathy and Emotions In Psychotherapy. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 1000059. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1000059

Lee, E., Greenblatt, A., & Hu, R. (2021). A Knowledge Synthesis of Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy Research: A Critical Review. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 52(6), 511-532. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220221211028911

Li, L.P., Jaladin, R.A., & Abdullah, H.S. (2013). Understanding the Two Sides of Online Counseling and their Ethical and Legal Ramifications. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 103, 1243-1251. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SBSPRO.2013.10.453

Lin, T., & Anderson, T. (2024). Reduced Therapeutic Skill In Teletherapy Versus In‐Person Therapy: The Role Of Non‐Verbal Communication. Counselling & Psychotherapy Research, 24(1), 317–327. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12666

Mejah, H., Bakar, A. Y. A., & Amat, S. (2019). Online Counseling as An Alternative of New Millennial Helping Services. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 9(9), 40-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.46886/MAJESS/v9-i9/6267

Moleong, L. J. (1989). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Rosdakarya.

Mulawarman, M., Antika, E. R., Hariyadi, S., Soputan, S. D. M., Saputri, N. R., & Saputri, F. Q. (2022). Konseling Online untuk Meningkatkan Kesejahteraan Psikologis. TERAPUTIK: Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling, 5(3), 266-274. https://doi.org/10.26539/teraputik.53798

Mulawarman, M., Prabawa, A. F., Putra, E. M., Hariyadi, S., ‘Ilmi, A. M. (2024). Konseling Online: Konsep dan Strategi Layanan Bimbingan dan Konseling di Era Digital. Jakarta: Prenadamedia

Mulder, N. (1985). Pribadi Dan Masyarakat Di Jawa. Jakarta: Sinar Harapan.

Mulungu, C., Mindu, T. & Mulungu, K. (2024). Effectiveness of online counselling during COVID-19 in Zambia: clients' and therapists' perspectives. BMC Psychology, 12, 132. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01614-y

Naderbagi, A., Loblay, V., Zahed, I. U. M., Ekambareshwar, M., Poulsen, A., Song, Y. J. C., Ospina-Pinillos, L., Krausz, M., Mamdouh Kamel, M., Hickie, I. B., & LaMonica, H. M. (2024). Cultural and Contextual Adaptation of Digital Health Interventions: Narrative Review. Journal of medical Internet research, 26, e55130. https://doi.org/10.2196/55130

Nagayama Hall, G. C., Kim-Mozeleski, J. E., Zane, N. W., Sato, H., Huang, E. R., Tuan, M., & Ibaraki, A. Y. (2019). Cultural Adaptations of Psychotherapy: Therapists' Applications of Conceptual Models with Asians and Asian Americans. Asian American journal of psychology, 10(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000122

Nurlatifah, A. I. (2016). Komunikasi Konseling Peka Budaya dan Agama. Jurnal Konseling Religi, 7(1), 231-258. https://doi.org/10.21043/kr.v7i1.1849

Opland, C., & Torrico, T. J. (2024). Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Relationship. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608012/

Paradisi, P., Raglianti, M., & Sebastiani, L. (2021). Online Communication and Body Language. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 15, 709365. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2021.709365

Perez, A., Fetters, M. D., Creswell, J. W., Scerbo, M., Kron, F. W., Gonzalez, R., An, L., Jimbo, M., Klasnja, P., & Guetterman, T. C. (2023). Enhancing Nonverbal Communication Through Virtual Human Technology: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study. JMIR research protocols, 12, e46601. https://doi.org/10.2196/46601

Richards, D., & Viganó, N. (2013). Online Counseling: A Narrative and Critical Review of The Literature. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(9), 994–1011. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21974

Rosyidi, F., & Saputi, N. D. (2023). The Impact of Digital Counseling On Therapeutic Relationships. Proceeding 3rdNCESCO: National Conference onEducationalScience and Counseling, 3(1), 199-208. Retrieved from https://proceeding.iainkudus.ac.id/index.php/NCESCO

Wibowo, N., Milenia, F., & Azmi, F. (2019). Rancang Bangun Bimbingan Konseling Online. Walisongo Journal of Information Technology, 1(1), 13-24. https://doi.org/10.21580/wjit.2019.1.1.3924

Zentz, L. (2014). “Love” the Local, “Use” the National, “Study” the Foreign: Shifting Javanese Language Ecologies in (Post‐)Modernity, Postcoloniality, and Globalization. Journal of Linguistic Anthropology, 24(3), 339-359. https://doi.org/10.1111/jola.12062