Online support system provides free, anonymous conversation

In stressful times, it helps to have a companion.

Clinical psychologist Glen Moriarty, Psy.D, recognized this need when he created “7 Cups of Tea,” an online emotional support system, in 2013.

Moriarty created the website after studying the influence of technology on human behavior.  In his observations, he noted a disconnect between that influence and mental health care, motivating him to use the Internet to foster wellbeing.  Acknowledging that professional therapy can be expensive or intimidating, Moriarty designed 7 Cups as an easy, accessible way for people to address their problems.

According to the 7 Cups website, the support system’s name comes from “a famous Chinese poem [by Lu Tong, a ninth century poet].  The suggestion is that each cup provides a different level of healing.  It’s important that our community feels that 7 Cups of Tea is a place where you can sit down and have several cups of tea with a friend … You can touch base as much as you like.”  The text of the poem may be found on the 7 Cups website.

When users access 7 Cups (either online or through a mobile app), they may connect via phone or online chat with trained “Listeners” for free, anonymous, one-on-one conversation.  7 Cups has trained Listeners in 150 countries, speaking a total of 130 languages.  One key skill that trainees develop, “Active Listening,” helps them focus primarily on the speaker’s words rather than their own immediate answers.  With this skill, as the website reads, listeners “demonstrate empathy, compassion, understanding, and respect.”

The website places great value on an open, non-judgmental attitude in conversation.  It stresses that “a 7 Cups listener doesn’t judge or try to solve problems and say what to do.  Our listeners just listen.  They understand.  They give you the space you need to help you clear your head.”

Though Moriarty advocates 7 Cups as a helpful tool, he told the Rover that it cannot replace other forms of emotional assistance.  “If you have good friends or family members you can trust then you are golden,” he said.  “If you don’t, then you typically have to go to therapy to have someone listen to you.”  At the same time, he endorsed the supplementary role of 7 Cups as a convenient outlet for people to express their concerns and seek help.

Quoted in a Fast Company article, Moriarty affirms that 7 Cups does not exist to compete with in-person counseling but to support it.  “Therapists shouldn’t worry,” he says.  “We have millions upon millions in this world who need help.  We’re not even coming close to solving this problem.”

In addition, the website also offers various research-based tests and guides related to mental and emotional wellbeing, all for free.  While the system does not consist of strictly professional personnel and treatment, Moriarty noted the importance of simple companionship throughout difficult times.  “We often don’t need our struggles to go away,” he explained to the Rover.  “We just need [someone] to be there with us while we face them.”

Since its inception, 7 Cups has grown from providing 50 conversations per week to over 70,000 per week.  When asked about his vision for the future of this online resource, Moriarty told the Rover, “We are working on a growth path that users can follow that will help them to personally grow and better cope with whatever they might be struggling with.  We anticipate strong growth for the future and our goal is to help 7 million people in 2015.”

Special thanks to Jillian Ellis in gathering information for this article.

Sophia Buono is a sophomore PLS major who loves summer weather, ice cream, and a good book.  Fortunately, she has been enjoying all three of these things this summer, while also working at a tutoring and mentoring program in D.C.  Contact Sophia at sbuono@nd.edu.