@article{ART003403103},
author={Seung-Hye Jun},
title={A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence},
journal={Industry Promotion Research},
issn={2466-1139},
year={2026},
volume={11},
number={4},
pages={273-284},
doi={10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.273}
TY - JOUR
AU - Seung-Hye Jun
TI - A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence
JO - Industry Promotion Research
PY - 2026
VL - 11
IS - 4
PB - Industrial Promotion Institute
SP - 273
EP - 284
SN - 2466-1139
AB - This study theoretically examines relational experiences in online counseling and therapeutic environments through parasocial interaction (PSI), with social presence as a complementary explanatory concept. It conceptualizes recorded professional content, online counseling education and workshops, and real-time online counseling and therapy as a continuum with varying levels of actual interaction. The four factors of PSI— reciprocity, involvement, identification, and influence—are examined across these environments. The review suggests that the three environments can be differentiated by their objective level of actual interaction, but a higher level of interaction does not necessarily imply a uniform increase in the four factors of PSI. Social presence is analytically distinguished as an experience of the other’s social presence, whereas PSI refers to the relational experience formed with that person; the two may be related without assuming a fixed causal direction. In real-time online counseling, the reciprocal therapeutic process itself should not be labeled as PSI. Instead, the PSI perspective is limited to mediated, asymmetrical, or pre-existing relational experiences—such as familiarity, expectations, or idealization formed through online exposure—that may overlap with the actual therapeutic relationship. This framework is intended to complement, rather than replace, established counseling relationship concepts.
KW - Parasocial Interaction;Social Presence;Online Counseling;Online Therapy;Counseling Relationship
DO - 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.273
ER -
Seung-Hye Jun. (2026). A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence. Industry Promotion Research, 11(4), 273-284.
Seung-Hye Jun. 2026, "A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence", Industry Promotion Research, vol.11, no.4 pp.273-284. Available from: doi:10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.273
Seung-Hye Jun "A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence" Industry Promotion Research 11.4 pp.273-284 (2026) : 273.
Seung-Hye Jun. A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence. 2026; 11(4), 273-284. Available from: doi:10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.273
Seung-Hye Jun. "A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence" Industry Promotion Research 11, no.4 (2026) : 273-284.doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.273
Seung-Hye Jun. A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence. Industry Promotion Research, 11(4), 273-284. doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.273
Seung-Hye Jun. A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence. Industry Promotion Research. 2026; 11(4) 273-284. doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.273
Seung-Hye Jun. A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence. 2026; 11(4), 273-284. Available from: doi:10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.273
Seung-Hye Jun. "A Theoretical Review of Parasocial Interaction in Online Counseling and Therapeutic Environments: Focusing on the Application of Social Presence" Industry Promotion Research 11, no.4 (2026) : 273-284.doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.273
