Online therapy is an effective treatment modality that is increasingly being used. It allows greater access to care for those who cannot travel or afford in-person treatment. Research shows that clients benefit from online therapy and form strong therapeutic relationships with therapists. Outcomes for disorders like depression and anxiety have been found to be comparable to in-person treatment. While online therapy is effective, therapists must take steps to ensure they are following ethical guidelines, obtain informed consent, and address any technological barriers for clients. As the use of teletherapy and online services continues to rise, further research is still needed.
Virtual Therapist for Psychological Healthcareijtsrd
Nowadays Stress has been a quite common ailment in people. We believe that when technology is used to build understanding, it can help humanity in creative and effective ways. That idea lives at the core of our paper in an easily accessible app to help users. The paper elaborates plan to develop a virtual assistant a.k.a. chatbot that would act as a therapist to the masses. We propose to use Machine Learning and NLP together with web front end technologies. As per availability of data, Experiments show that the proposed methods achieve high accuracy in patient action understanding, error identification and task recommendation. The proposed virtual PT system has the potential of enabling on demand virtual care and significantly reducing cost for both patients and health care providers. Tanmay Pachpande | Dewang Solanki | Venkat. P. Patil "Virtual Therapist for Psychological Healthcare" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-2 , February 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd38614.pdf Paper Url: https://www.ijtsrd.com/computer-science/artificial-intelligence/38614/virtual-therapist-for-psychological-healthcare/tanmay-pachpande
Improving measurement through Operations Researchjehill3
Improving measurement through Operations Research
Peter Winch, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
CORE Group Spring Meeting, April 28, 2010
Virtual Therapist for Psychological Healthcareijtsrd
Nowadays Stress has been a quite common ailment in people. We believe that when technology is used to build understanding, it can help humanity in creative and effective ways. That idea lives at the core of our paper in an easily accessible app to help users. The paper elaborates plan to develop a virtual assistant a.k.a. chatbot that would act as a therapist to the masses. We propose to use Machine Learning and NLP together with web front end technologies. As per availability of data, Experiments show that the proposed methods achieve high accuracy in patient action understanding, error identification and task recommendation. The proposed virtual PT system has the potential of enabling on demand virtual care and significantly reducing cost for both patients and health care providers. Tanmay Pachpande | Dewang Solanki | Venkat. P. Patil "Virtual Therapist for Psychological Healthcare" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-2 , February 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd38614.pdf Paper Url: https://www.ijtsrd.com/computer-science/artificial-intelligence/38614/virtual-therapist-for-psychological-healthcare/tanmay-pachpande
Improving measurement through Operations Researchjehill3
Improving measurement through Operations Research
Peter Winch, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
CORE Group Spring Meeting, April 28, 2010
Realizing the Promise of P4 Medicine by changing relationships presented by Catherine Lucey, MD, FACP; Interim Dean, The Ohio State University College of Medicine; Associate Vice President for HealthSciences Education, The Ohio State University
Collaborative care models for management of mental and behavioral health conc...Marion Sills
Kwan BM, Miller BF, Sills MR, Hamer MK, Schilling LM. Collaborative care models for management of mental and behavioral health concerns in Federally Qualified Health Centers. Society of Behavioral Medicine. Philadelphia, April 2014.
For more information about SAFTINet, please see http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/programs/outcomes/COHO/saftinet/Pages/default.aspx
Housing First: Ending Homelessness and Supporting Recovery - Dr Sam Tsemberisbrianlynch
Housing First: Ending Homelessness and Supporting Recovery - Dr Sam Tsemberis
Presentation delivered by Dr Sam Tsemberis at the Housing First conference organised by Athlone Institute of Technology and Midlands Simon on 30 September 2013.
Slides from the workshop 'A modern vision of integrated care and support' led by Dr Martin McShane, Dr Damian Riley (NHS England) and David Pearson (ADASS) - NHS Medical Leaders Conference 2014. - See more at: http://www.icase.org.uk/pg/cv_content/content/view/98680#sthash.45Xs2o9r.dpuf
Realizing the Promise of P4 Medicine by changing relationships presented by Catherine Lucey, MD, FACP; Interim Dean, The Ohio State University College of Medicine; Associate Vice President for HealthSciences Education, The Ohio State University
Collaborative care models for management of mental and behavioral health conc...Marion Sills
Kwan BM, Miller BF, Sills MR, Hamer MK, Schilling LM. Collaborative care models for management of mental and behavioral health concerns in Federally Qualified Health Centers. Society of Behavioral Medicine. Philadelphia, April 2014.
For more information about SAFTINet, please see http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/programs/outcomes/COHO/saftinet/Pages/default.aspx
Housing First: Ending Homelessness and Supporting Recovery - Dr Sam Tsemberisbrianlynch
Housing First: Ending Homelessness and Supporting Recovery - Dr Sam Tsemberis
Presentation delivered by Dr Sam Tsemberis at the Housing First conference organised by Athlone Institute of Technology and Midlands Simon on 30 September 2013.
Slides from the workshop 'A modern vision of integrated care and support' led by Dr Martin McShane, Dr Damian Riley (NHS England) and David Pearson (ADASS) - NHS Medical Leaders Conference 2014. - See more at: http://www.icase.org.uk/pg/cv_content/content/view/98680#sthash.45Xs2o9r.dpuf
REVIEW ARTICLE
Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for symptoms
of depression and anxiety: a meta-analysis
VIOLA SPEK1 ,2*, PIM CUIJPERS 3, IVAN NYKLÍČEK1, HELEEN RIPER4,
JULES KEYZER 2 A N D VICTOR POP 1,2
1 Department of Psychology and Health, Tilburg University, The Netherlands; 2 Diagnostic Centre Eindhoven,
The Netherlands; 3 Department of Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
4 Trimbos-instituut, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT
Background. We studied to what extent internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
programs for symptoms of depression and anxiety are effective.
Method. A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials.
Results. The effects of internet-based CBT were compared to control conditions in 13 contrast
groups with a total number of 2334 participants. A meta-analysis on treatment contrasts resulted in
a moderate to large mean effect size [fixed effects analysis (FEA) d=0.40, mixed effects analysis
(MEA) d=0.60] and significant heterogeneity. Therefore, two sets of post hoc subgroup analyses
were carried out. Analyses on the type of symptoms revealed that interventions for symptoms of
depression had a small mean effect size (FEA d=0.27, MEA d=0.32) and significant heterogeneity.
Further analyses showed that one study could be regarded as an outlier. Analyses without this study
showed a small mean effect size and moderate, non-significant heterogeneity. Interventions for
anxiety had a large mean effect size (FEA and MEA d=0.96) and very low heterogeneity. When
examining the second set of subgroups, based on therapist assistance, no significant heterogeneity
was found. Interventions with therapist support (n=5) had a large mean effect size, while inter-
ventions without therapist support (n=6) had a small mean effect size (FEA d=0.24, MEA
d=0.26).
Conclusions. In general, effect sizes of internet-based interventions for symptoms of anxiety were
larger than effect sizes for depressive symptoms; however, this might be explained by differences
in the amount of therapist support.
INTRODUCTION
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a widely
used and effective form of therapy for a wide
range of psychological disorders, including
depression and anxiety disorders (Hollon et al.
2006). In the industrialized societies, the internet
has become integrated into the daily lives of
a large part of the population. The number of
people using the internet is still rising. Internet
use has even spread among the groups that
are not usually the first to use a new technology,
namely women, elderly people and minority
groups (Lamerichs, 2003). The expansion of the
internet offers new treatment opportunities.
CBT is very suitable for adaptation to a com-
puter format. It is a structured treatment ap-
proach with the aim of developing new types of
behaviour and cognition.
Internet-based CBT has advantages over tra-
ditional CBT for both clients ...
This workshop will expose clinicians and administrators to research-based technology-assisted care interventions that practitioners can add to their tool kit to complement treatment services. Technology-based care is a rapidly evolving field that may: use different formats, such as audio, video, animations, and/or other multimedia; be customized to patients; and be web-based and accessed using computers, tablets, or smart phones. The presenter will provide an introduction to technology-assisted care and show case at least two interventions for substance abuse treatment providers.
E-Therapy: A Critical Review of Practice Characteristics and Ethical StandardsJames Tobin, Ph.D.
A number of consumers turn to the internet to seek relief from mental distress. Research (Fox & Fallows, 2003) has found 21% of internet users search information on depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. At the same time, a number of clinicians are engaging in the practice of “e-therapy” over the Internet. E-therapy is now used by a range of professionals and applied to a vast array of problems and conditions. Bischoff (2004) believes the interest in online based counseling is growing due to several reasons: technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, the technology is becoming more affordable, and people are becoming more comfortable using technology as a means of communication. Furthermore, the telecommunications system will continue to increase in quality and affordability, and this will be associated with an increased user comfort. According to co-authors Lana Hunter and James Tobin, this will make it important for professionals in the mental health field to become familiar with the format and application of e-therapy available as a method of mental health treatment and the ethical and legal issues involved in choose technology as a treatment medium.
Internet Interventions In Review, In Use, and Into the Future.docxmariuse18nolet
Internet Interventions: In Review, In Use, and Into the Future
Lee M. Ritterband, Linda A. Gonder-Frederick, Daniel J. Cox, Allan D. Clifton,
Rebecca W. West, and Stephen M. Borowitz
University of Virginia Health System
The provision of health care over the Internet is a rapidly evolving and potentially beneficial means of
delivering treatment otherwise unsought or unobtainable. Internet interventions are typically behavioral
treatments operationalized and transformed for Web delivery with the goal of symptom improvement.
The literature on the feasibility and utility of Internet interventions is limited, and there are even fewer
outcome study findings. This article reviews empirically tested Internet interventions and provides an
overview of the issues in developing and/or using them in clinical practice. Future directions and
implications are also addressed. Although Internet interventions will not likely replace face-to-face care,
there is little doubt that they will grow in importance as a powerful component of successful psychobe-
havioral treatment.
With the advancement of computer technologies over the
past 20 years, a flood of new ways to communicate, provide, and
deliver psychological treatments has emerged. The Internet has the
ability to reach people all over the world and provide highly
specialized psychological interventions otherwise not sought or
obtainable. There is a new but growing literature on the use of the
Internet as a means of delivering treatment. These Internet treat-
ments are typically focused on behavioral issues, with the goal of
instituting behavior change and subsequent symptom improve-
ment. They are usually self-paced, interactive, and tailored to the
user, and they make use of the multimedia format offered by the
Internet. Individuals with computer and Internet access who use
these treatments may also overcome many of the barriers to
obtaining traditional care because they can seek such treatments at
any time, any place, and often at significantly reduced cost.
Clearly, people are using computers and the Internet in greater
frequency and with the specific purpose of obtaining mental health
information (see Crutsinger, 2000; Employment Policy Founda-
tion, 2001; Pew Research Center, 2002; Rabasca, 2000). This new
field of Internet interventions is only going to grow and expand.
The benefits are vast, as there is the potential for greater numbers
of people to receive more services than ever before. However, to
meet this potential, Internet interventions, like any other treatment,
must first demonstrate feasibility and efficacy through rigorous
scientific testing. In this article we present a critical examination of
the current state of the available literature focused on the devel-
opment and testing of these types of interventions. In addition,
issues that should be addressed when constructing Internet inter-
ventions are enumerated, followed by a discussion of possible
future directions and implications.
A New Area of Mental Health Care: Online Therapy, Counseling and GuidanceQUESTJOURNAL
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to describe online therapy and counseling on mental health care used. In the current study, first online counseling is defined by looking at its areas of use, its comparison to traditional face-to-face counseling, its theoretical framework and sample programs. Online counseling is used as ecounsiling, internet-based counseling, computer-assisted counseling, online therapy, tele-therapy, and eguidance on the databases. Online counseling is also useful for clients with a disability. In addition, migrants group who difficulty on self-expression, online counseling has advantages to help seek. Applications of computer-based cognitive behavioural approach, which also includes computer-centred and face-to-face therapy techniques, is found to be advantageous. When the current state of developing technologies and the point at which we are right now in psychological counseling are considered, it is anticipated that online counseling is developing fast and will continue its development.
O R I G I N A L P A P E R‘‘It just crept in’’ The Digital.docxcherishwinsland
O R I G I N A L P A P E R
‘‘It just crept in’’: The Digital Age and Implications for Social
Work Practice
Faye Mishna • Marion Bogo • Jennifer Root •
Jami-Leigh Sawyer • Mona Khoury-Kassabri
Published online: 11 February 2012
� Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012
Abstract Today’s generation of youth and adults relies
on communication technologies for entertainment, infor-
mation, and social connections and more and more, for
personal help and advice. With cyber technology having
permeated the ways in which individuals seek support for a
wide range of issues, the purpose of this paper is to report
on a study that examined practitioners’ experiences and
views of whether and how online communication has
entered their face-to-face practice and of the implication
for the therapeutic work. Using qualitative methodology,
15 social work practitioners participated in focus groups
and interviews exploring their perspectives about the
impact of cyber technology on their traditional face-to-face
social work practice. The prevailing finding was that cyber
communication has dramatically changed the nature of
professional relationships. This key finding was supported
by four major inter-related themes arising from the data:
(1) client driven practice; (2) Pandora’s box; (3) ethical
grey zone; and (4) permeable boundaries. Implications for
practice are provided.
Keywords Cyber technology in therapy � Cyber
communication in traditional social work � Cyber
technology and ethics � Online technology and social work
practice
Introduction
Long before the rise of the Internet generation, Marshall
McLuhan (1964) asserted, ‘‘the medium is the message.’’
This prophetic and timeless statement is particularly rele-
vant in today’s society, in which online technology shapes
how individuals communicate. Communication technology
is growing exponentially with each successive generation
as a central fixture within our society and has radically
changed individuals’ social interactions, learning strate-
gies, and choice of entertainment. In response to this dra-
matic growth of electronic communication and information
sharing, practitioners have offered treatment through com-
munication technology since the 1990s (Huang and Alessi
1996; Murphy and Mitchell 1998; Smith and Reynolds
2002) and, more than ever, offer interventions online.
Several benefits have been identified including greater
flexibility and accessibility (Chester and Glass 2006;
Glasgeen and Campbell 2009).
Today’s generation of both youth and adults relies on
communication technologies for entertainment, informa-
tion, and social connections and more and more, for per-
sonal help and advice. Indeed, cyber technology has
permeated the ways through which individuals seek sup-
port for a wide range of issues. The purpose of this paper is
to report on a study that examined practitioners’ experi-
ences and views of whether and how online communica-
tion has .
Signature Essay Peer Review WorksheetFor this assignment, your o.docxmaoanderton
Signature Essay Peer Review Worksheet
For this assignment, your objective is to provide high-level feedback to one of your fellow classmates that will help to improve her or his final essay. Please completely fill out each question in this worksheet to help your fellow student.
Name of the student whose essay youreviewed:
Your Name:
First,in three to five sentences, summarize the overall argument addressed in this essay as well as how well you think this draft meets the assignment requirements listed in the Signature Assignment Instructions.
Next, answer each of the following questions using complete sentences, addressing each question in its entirety, and providing specific examples when possible.
Remember that you can give both positive and negative answers to help highlight the best aspects of the essay and those areas that need revision.
Content-Specific QuestionsCan you identify the main argument being discussed?Can you identify the thesis statement? Does it address the main points that the writer will be making in the essay?At any point in the essay, can you identify the author’s opinion on the controversy? If so, can you address where the bias is revealed?Are the arguments for both sides equally addressed?
OrganizationHow effectively does the introduction engage the reader while providing an overview of the main argument? Can you identify the topic sentences for each body paragraph? Be sure to list any body paragraphs that do not appear to have topic sentences.Does the paper effectively use transitions? Be sure to point out any areas where a topic shift occurs that seems to be abrupt.Is the conclusion effective? Does it summarize the main points and bring the discussion to a logical and satisfying ending?
Format
Does the essay use appropriate APA formatting, including double-spacing, Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1" margins, and appropriate paragraph indentations? Can you identify any areas where outside sources appear to be used without including in-text citations? Provide specific examples here. When in-text citations are used, do they follow APA formatting?Does the essay include the required eight sources?Can you identify any issues with the reference page? If so, please provide specific examples,
Grammar and MechanicsDoes the writer use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling? If not, please provide examples of errors in need of correction.Is the writing clear and comprehensible throughout the draft? If not, please provide examples in need of improvement.
Three strengths of this version of this essay are:
Three aspects of this essay to work on before final submission are:
Running head: TELE HEALTHCARE 1
Tele Healthcare
5
Tele Healthcare
Enrique Cateriano
Written Communications II
Jennifer Haber
West Coast U.
Chat 2 Recovery is a unique online addiction treatment program for individuals age 21 and over. Nick Lessa, founder of Chat 2 Recovery, provided this presentation at the The 45th Annual Addictions Institute Conference, held in NYC June of 2013
10 STRATEGIC POINTS
2
10 STRATEGIC POINTS
2
Factors that Influence Utilization of Public Mental Health Services
RSD-851: Residency: Dissertation
Grand Canyon University
October 5, 2020
10 Strategic Points
My Degree: Ph.D.
Program Emphasis: Industrial Organizational Psychology
Ten Strategic Points
Comments or Feedback
Broad Topic Area
Factors that Influence Utilization of Public Mental Health Services
Lit Review
(Theoretical Framework (Theory)
Gaps
Themes
All Citations
Gaps
A. Basu, Rehkopf, Siddiqi, Glymour, & Kawachi (2016). According to the authors, there is a gap here in the changes being experienced in social policies in recent years. It has created a gap among women with low income in South Texas. Accordingly, the authors used the determination of the differences in income to understand the relationships between health outcomes and welfare reforms as it impacts the less privileged women in comparison to the most affected women.
B. Ly, A. (2019). This study focused on the factors that influence the utilization of mental health among Vietnamese Americans and the barriers to seeking help in Texas. The study had 12 participants including providers and community leaders who were familiar with the target population. The findings of the study indicated that there is a gap here in cultural acceptance of mental health treatment. Hence the need to culturally specify mental health intervention to improve mental health utilization in the community. However, the study was limited by the small sample size; therefore, the findings cannot be generalized. Further studies should include more cultural groups to validate the findings of this research.
C. Kwan, P. P., Soniega-Sherwood, J., Esmundo, S., Watts, J., Pike, J., Sabado-Liwag, M., & Palmer, P. H. (2020). The authors of this study aimed to evaluate the facilitators and barriers to mental health utilization among Pacific Islanders. Semi structure interviews were used to collect information from 12 pacific islanders. Trained community leaders recruited eligible candidates for the study. The study was limited by the small sample size. Five themes arose from the study. There is a gap here in regard to cost of healthcare, mental health stigma and language and culture barriers, which were the themes that emerged concerning barriers affecting the utilization of mental health services. The researchers indicated the need for future studies to include a larger sample size to enable generalization of the findings.
D. Volkert, J., Andreas, S., Härter, M., Dehoust, M. C., Sehner, S., Suling, A., . . . Schulz, H. (2018). The aim of this study was to evaluate various aspects of the utilization of mental health services among the elderly. The study had 3,142 participants aged between 65-84 years. Logic regression approach was used to analyze predisposing, enabling, and need factors among the participants. Similarly, the study found that there is ...
10 STRATEGIC POINTS
2
10 STRATEGIC POINTS
2
Factors that Influence Utilization of Public Mental Health Services
RSD-851: Residency: Dissertation
Grand Canyon University
October 5, 2020
10 Strategic Points
My Degree: Ph.D.
Program Emphasis: Industrial Organizational Psychology
Ten Strategic Points
Comments or Feedback
Broad Topic Area
Factors that Influence Utilization of Public Mental Health Services
Lit Review
(Theoretical Framework (Theory)
Gaps
Themes
All Citations
Gaps
A. Basu, Rehkopf, Siddiqi, Glymour, & Kawachi (2016). According to the authors, there is a gap here in the changes being experienced in social policies in recent years. It has created a gap among women with low income in South Texas. Accordingly, the authors used the determination of the differences in income to understand the relationships between health outcomes and welfare reforms as it impacts the less privileged women in comparison to the most affected women.
B. Ly, A. (2019). This study focused on the factors that influence the utilization of mental health among Vietnamese Americans and the barriers to seeking help in Texas. The study had 12 participants including providers and community leaders who were familiar with the target population. The findings of the study indicated that there is a gap here in cultural acceptance of mental health treatment. Hence the need to culturally specify mental health intervention to improve mental health utilization in the community. However, the study was limited by the small sample size; therefore, the findings cannot be generalized. Further studies should include more cultural groups to validate the findings of this research.
C. Kwan, P. P., Soniega-Sherwood, J., Esmundo, S., Watts, J., Pike, J., Sabado-Liwag, M., & Palmer, P. H. (2020). The authors of this study aimed to evaluate the facilitators and barriers to mental health utilization among Pacific Islanders. Semi structure interviews were used to collect information from 12 pacific islanders. Trained community leaders recruited eligible candidates for the study. The study was limited by the small sample size. Five themes arose from the study. There is a gap here in regard to cost of healthcare, mental health stigma and language and culture barriers, which were the themes that emerged concerning barriers affecting the utilization of mental health services. The researchers indicated the need for future studies to include a larger sample size to enable generalization of the findings.
D. Volkert, J., Andreas, S., Härter, M., Dehoust, M. C., Sehner, S., Suling, A., . . . Schulz, H. (2018). The aim of this study was to evaluate various aspects of the utilization of mental health services among the elderly. The study had 3,142 participants aged between 65-84 years. Logic regression approach was used to analyze predisposing, enabling, and need factors among the participants. Similarly, the study found that there is ...
Towards an evidence informed adventure therapy implementing feedback informed...Will Dobud
ABSTRACT
As an intervention for adolescents, adventure therapy has evolved considerably over the last three decades with support from multiple meta- analyses and research input from both residential and outpatient services. Tainted by a history of unethical practice and issues of accountability, this article explores the question of how adventure therapy can meet a standard of evidence preferred by policymakers and funding bodies on the international stage. In this case, feedback-informed treatment (FIT) is presented as a means for routine outcome management, creating a framework for adventure therapy which aims to improve the quality of participant engagement while maintaining and operationalizing today’s definitions for evidence-based practice. A case vignette illustrates the use of FIT with an adolescent participant engaged on a 14-day adventure therapy program.
Similar to APA 2014 - Online Therapy Lit Review - FINAL version 071714 (20)
Towards an evidence informed adventure therapy implementing feedback informed...
APA 2014 - Online Therapy Lit Review - FINAL version 071714
1. Online Therapy: Where We Are and Where We Need To Go
Priscilla Zoma, M.A., Melanie Ho, M.A., Dustin K. Shepler, Ph.D., & Jessica Dluzynski, M.A.
Michigan School of Professional Psychology
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dustin K. Shepler, Michigan School of Professional Psychology, 26811 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 (dshepler@mispp.edu)
Therapists interested in online therapy should familiarize
themselves with APA ‘s 2013 Guidelines for the Practice
of Telepsychology.
Clinicians should conduct a risk assessment prior to the
expansion of practice to include online therapy with
consideration for all necessary provisions (Maheu et al.,
2012). Steps in this process should include an
exploration of individual state licensing requirements
regarding use of online therapy. Doing so will prevent
any unintentional regulatory infractions (Glueckauf et al.,
2003).
Steps to become competent in applying online
therapeutic services in practice:
1. Have appropriate technology and the ability to
employ these technologies for online services
(Elleven & Allen, 2004). Therapists should be
technologically well informed (Gale & McKee, 2002).
2. Prior to implementation, considerations should be
made regarding the targeted population and factors
associated with use, including insurance coverage
and ability to navigate software (Nelson & Velasquez,
2011). In addition, parameters need to be set for
session frequency, length, attendance expectations,
and ramifications for missed sessions (Glueckauf et
al., 2003).
3. Obtain informed consent regarding online therapy
from the client (Barnett & Sheetz, 2003).
4. Ensure client confidentiality through ACA, ISMHO, or
NBCC (Elleven & Allen, 2004).
5. Create an online account and familiarize oneself with
the modality that will be used for the online therapy
sessions.
6. Provide adequate training to clients on how to use
these online services
7. Attend to cultural, ethnic, language, and other
differences that may impact the ability to effectively
communicate with and treat clients (Barnett & Sheetz,
2003).
Though client perceptions of effectiveness of online
relationships do not differ significantly from face-to-face
interactions (Bickel et al., 2008), therapists should
explore differences in the development of such
relationships with attention to various contributing factors
associated with online work (Colbow, 2013).
Findings from the LiteratureAbstract & Purpose Recommendations
This presentation reviews the effectiveness of online therapy.
Ethical considerations related to conducting therapy online
have been discussed in the literature (e.g., Corey, Corey, &
Callanan, 2011) and are beyond the scope of this
presentation.
Advances in technology have
increased ease in
communication
between clients and therapists
between sessions, as well as
offered an additional modality
in which therapy may be
conducted.
Previous research has
reported a positive correlation
between acceptance of online
therapy and familiarity with the technology (Alleman, 2002).
Relevant literature regarding both the process and
effectiveness of online therapy are reviewed; key findings are
highlighted. For example:
Individuals may reveal personal information more readily
in online therapy than in traditional therapy. Cook and
Doyle (2002) attributed the phenomenon of quickly
revealing personal information to disinhibition from the
anonymity offered by online interaction.
Simpson, Bell, Knox and Mitchell (2001) and Simpson,
Deans, and Brebner (2005) reported significant client
benefit from online therapy. In particular, previous
research indicated client gains through online therapy in
the treatment of eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.
These studies utilized not only video conferencing, but
also the use of instant messaging and email.
A psychotherapist, regardless of theoretical orientation, can
move from the traditional face-to-face setting to an
environment based on Internet tools. In e-therapy, the focus
of the treatment does not shift to technology, but remains on
the traditional process of psychotherapy. The traditional
setting could move into a virtual environment without affecting
the basic principles and phases of treatment (Castelnuovo et
al., 2003).
Clinicians attending this presentation will become familiar
with the current findings regarding therapeutic effectiveness
of online therapy. Those considering expanding their practice
to include online therapy and those interested in including
online therapy research in evidence-based therapy classes
may be particularly interested in this presentation.
Benefits to Clients
Current research suggests that telepsychology offers
effective means of delivering CBT, consultation, and
continuing education services for disorders such as adult
anxiety, depression, insomnia, pediatric recurrent pain and
anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, and attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (Dyck & Hardy, 2013).
The efficacy and effectiveness of online therapy groups is
supported in studies of eating disorders and depression
(Castelnuovo et al., 2003).
Bickel et al. (2008) found that computerized behavior
therapy produced comparable results to therapist
interventions for clients with opioid dependence.
Fitt and Rees (2012), indicated that “videoconferencing
can be a highly effective and acceptable means of
delivering psychotherapy” (p. 227). All participants in this
study stated that videoconferencing helped them to stay
focused between sessions (e. g., seeing therapist's face
on the screen served as a memory aid between sessions)
and they felt less intimidated than in face-to-face sessions.
Internet-related technologies have significantly and
positively affected the outcomes of treatments
(Castelnuovo, et al., 2003).
Morgan et al. (2008) reported no significant differences
between telehealth and face-to-face delivery modalities for
perceptions of the therapeutic relationship, post-session
mood, or general satisfaction with services were found (p.
161).
The therapeutic alliance appears comparable in online
versus face-to-face services (Dyck & Hardy, 2013).
The social stigma regarding attending therapy can be
lessened for many individuals with the use of online
treatment.
Clients will benefit from online therapy with the ability to
contact their therapist at any distance, at any time, at their
convenience, and from their home. In this way, the
traditional office-bound, prescheduled, face-to-face,
therapist-client appointment has become irrelevant (Barak
et al., 2009).
Online therapy has proven to be a viable option that allows
access to multicultural counselors and gives clients more
therapeutic options.
Schopp et al. (2000) and Bickel et al. (2008) found that
telehealth services are significantly lower in cost than in-
person services. This is important when serving
populations that are lower in SES.
Many clients trying to seek psychological services are
unable to travel great distances or afford the costs incurred
with travel (Backhaus, et al., 2012).
Online therapy provides clients with synchronous
communication. This involves clients and therapists sitting
at their computers at the same time and interacting with
each other in the moment. The client and therapist
interaction occurs simultaneously just as in normal face-to-
face sessions (Roseth, Saltarelli, & Glass, 2011).
Online counseling affords various distinct advantages,
such as convenience and the ability to overcome existing
psychological and physical barriers that individuals can
face in assessing counseling services (Richards, 2012).
Effectiveness of Online Therapy
In 2010, Monitor on Psychology reported that a study by APA found that:
“Psychologists are increasingly using the telephone and e-mail to provide
services including psychotherapy, counseling, consulting and supervision.
Overall e-mail use more than tripled among practicing psychologists between
2000 and 2008, with approximately 10 percent of providers using it weekly or
more in 2008.
Practitioners’use of videoconferencing, while still rare, increased from 2 percent
to 10 percent during that same time period. Internet chat room use remained
unchanged, with less than 1 percent of respondents taking advantage of that
medium.” (Quote and Figure from:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/03/telepsychology.aspx)