CYBER page 181 Long-awaited Excimer Laser PRK surgery is here, and for a limited time, you can enjoy its benefits for only $1400 per eye!. The state-of-the-art Excimer Laser gently reshapes your eye in less than a minute, helping you bring your world into focus with natural vision. And with the advent of the laser, Beitman Eye Institute can offer a full range of options for the correction of nearsighted, farsighted and astigmatic vision. As a leader in refractive surgery, Robert Beitman, M.D., has helped thousands of nearsighted, farsighted and astigmatic patients . enjoy the benefits of refractive surgery. Laser PRK is just one more reason people trust their eyes to Beitman Eye Institute. Call today to learn more about the exciting new Laser PRK. Schedule a FREE consultation this month and receive a $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE for Laser or alternative vision correction surgery! 1-800-826-EYES BEITIVL INSTIT enough customers. But Mr. Goldstein is undeterred. "Electronics is obviously a far different medium than face-to- face counseling, and it provides a real challenge for therapists," Mr. Goldstein said. "rm not say- ing it's better or worse than tra- ditional therapy; a lot depends on the person and the problem. I'm just saying it's different." Mr. Goldstein, who said he is "very interested" in psychology on the Internet and has "a cou- ple of projects in the works," declared that it's "long past time that psychology got its head out of the sand." 'We have to realize that more and more people are interested in useful information we can provide fairly easily rather than long-term therapy. The overwhelming majority of issues people have are not serious enough to bring them into a traditional therapy rela- tionship. "Yet these are complicated times we live in," Mr. Goldstein continued. "It used to be people had extensive support networks to help out, but those good neighbors, relatives and friends don't exist anymore for a lot of us. Telephone- and Internet- based services can fill that gap." Ms. Maheu noted certain ad- vantages to electronic counsel- ing, beyond the fact that it is significantly cheaper than tra- ditional therapy. "For housebound people, this could be a real plus; and for some people who are uncom- fortable talking face to face or in a group setting, e-mail can get beyond that barrier," she said. "And people have time to care- fully consider their responses when they are typing them back and forth." But traditional therapy allows a psychologist to learn a great deal from body language and vi- sual cues (such as tears and fa- cial expressions) that are not apparent electronically, Ms. Ma- heu noted. "Maybe if the Web develops video and audio capabilities, we could get the best of all worlds," Maheu said. "I sit in my office and the cam- era is in front of you at home and we have a face-to-face ses- sion that way. Something like that might work. "But, clearly, so much of this remains up in the air." ❑ BRIGHTON • WEST BLOOMFIELD *Some restrictions apply. Deductables must be met. Gift certificate is transferable. STAIR—GLIDE STAIRWAY LIFTS THE CAREFREE WAY TO CLIMB STAIRS When you're disabled, or just not able to move around as freely as you once could, stairs can be a real problem. But there is a simple answer. STAIR-GLIDE powered stairway lift. Easily installed to fit curved or straight stairs. They give you back the ability to move around your own home. Folds back-gets in nobody's way. CALL OR STOP BY FOR A FREE DEMONSTRATION LARRY ARONOFF SHIRT 30X Men's furnishings and accessories 19011 West Ten Mile Road Southfield, Michigan 48075 (Between Southfield and Evergreen) STAR-GLIDE° ACTON RENTAL & SALES (313) 891-6500 (810) 540-5550 352-1080 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:30. a.m. p.m. Thursday 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. PARKING AND ENTRANCE IN REAR 1J • Bloom cOd Bloom • • Registered Electrologists • Come and let us remove your unwanted hair problem and improve your appearance. Near 12 Mile Rd. bet. Evergreen & Southfield CELEBRATION CONNECTION 559-1969 Appt. Only. Ask For Shiriee or Debby DIRECTORY in our Classified Section Compiled by Jill Davidson Sklar In an effort to battle adolescent obesity, Weight Watchers is of- fering the chance to attend a free meeting during the months of September and October to any- one 10-18 years of age as long as they attend with a paying adult. These adolescents can continue to attend for free as long as the adult attends paid consecutive meetings. A one-time fee of $10 will be charged to cover the costs for printed materials. For more in- formation, call (800) 487-4777. wood Golf and Country Club, 2450 Havenwood, White Lake. The cost is $89 a person and includes the price of 18 holes of golf, a power cart, continental breakfast and lunch. To register or for more infor- mation, call (810) 258-1090. A benefit golf outing to aid the speech and language rehabilita- tion services offered through William Beaumont Hospital will begin with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15; at Brent- tween Nutrition and Health, The Sinai Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center presents the first in a series of lectures on nutri- tion for the IBD (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) patient, families and friends. The lecture, titled The Connection Be- will be given by registered dietit- ian Pamela Thomas, 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at the center, located at 31500 Telegraph Road, Suite 210, in Bingham Farms.