Scharff (psychiatry, Georgetown U.) compiles 21 essays by psychotherapists from the US, South America, Europe, and Canada, who examine the phenomenon, indications and contraindications, technical issues, advantages and disadvantages, and effectiveness of psychotherapy by phone or online. They consider the impact of technology and social media on the person, the couple, and society, including how the computer can become a preoccupation or substitute for relationships, the effects of compulsive Internet pornography use, and the effects of technology on psychoanalytic practice, and practice issues, procedures, legal and ethical issues, clinical concerns, and rules and regulations. They offer accounts of specific sessions, and discuss distance education for mental health professionals, including the ethical practice of supervision of trainees doing psychotherapy in remote locations. Distributed by Stylus Publishing. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)