Treatment

Technology has had a noticeable impact on the ever changing world of mental health treatment. The classic face-to-face therapy session is often time-consuming and cumbersome. In some areas, there may be no in-person treatment available. Technology offers other choices that put a premium on client ease of access. Digital technology, in the form of web sites, mobile apps, and teleconferencing, are the future of psychotherapy. Revolutionary mental health assessment tools like Clinicom are setting new standards in how treament is advancing in mental health.

 

Teletherapy

If the proliferation of brands that offer services (e.g., Betterhelp and Talkspace) is any indicator, the popularity of telemedicine is growing. The name “tele” is a bit of a misnomer, as teletherapy can be done through video and texting as well as on the phone .. Video conferencing is quite similar to face-to-face treatment except it is online, such as Zoom, Skype Video calls or Facetime. Sessions that only use phone calls and texting seem to offer a different experience; body language, tone, and nuance are commonly lost because you are not able to see or hear your therapist. However, the convenience of receiving services, especially in underserved communities, may be greater than the disadvantages. Although much more groundwork is needed, some clinical studies have established that teletherapy is just as effective as conventional therapy.

 

Websites and Apps

There is an exploding market of internet-related psychotherapeutic treatment. Much of this is accessible through websites and apps. Although some software applications are basically just conduits to teletherapy services, many are hybrids that offer education, self-help, and online support when necessary. The majority of internet-based therapy uses cognitive-behavioral principles. As a whole, internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy has exhibited favorable results for a variety of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health apps are unregulated, however, so users need to proceed with caution when in search of assistance.

Improved Self-Report

Most self-report measures, which are still the majority of psychological research and assessments, can be implemented easily on a laptop or computer, in place of with paper and pencil. This decreases costs and is generally easier, except in older populations who may not be as familiar with computers. This also makes data research easier; data collected on a computer can be quickly transformed into computer statistical analysis. As an example, many assessment instruments (e.g., the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory) automatically tabulate and interpret data right after it is entered.

 

Adding to Convenience

Cell phones and wearables (e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers), make it easy to compile info as it occurs, rather than rely on a later self-report. Human memory is fallible and the faster the details are entered the more likely it is correct. Some software automatically enters information, including programs measuring exercise and sleep habits. Other information still is required to be entered manually (e.g., a food log) but can be done much more quickly and conveniently on a phone you carry on hand regularly. Technology also allows analysts to perform measurements in natural settings instead of being confined to the lab. For example, neuroscientist Melina Uncapher of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) uses computer software on an iPad to cognitively assess the brain function of elementary school students inside their school rooms.

 

New Instruments

Technology has introduced new ways to gather information and facts, some of which are vast upgrades over older methods. For instance, virtual reality tech allows scientists to collect data without actually having to go to a specific environment. Along with this being cheaper and more convenient, but it also removes certain ethical concerns and reliance upon self-report. Another instance of new technology is a sensor that is affixed to the skin to determine Galvanic Skin Response, an indicator of stress. Additionally, using mobile devices allows measurement to happen almost anyplace with increased accuracy.

 

Databases

Storage technology has permitted the development of huge databases of information. Several of these catalog human behavior that can be used in the study of psychology. For example, databases possess specifics of anything from crime statistics to sleep deprivation. Furthermore, these databases collect info from a large and diverse human population, making them well suited for satisfying validity concerns. This provides psychologists with huge stores of information in which to look into.

 

Improving Validity and Consistency

As technological know-how advances, instruments are created which allow professionals to obtain larger samples and be more specific in their measurements. One of the great problems in psychological research is the replication of results. Pen and pencil self-report has been naturally unreliable. New instruments that demonstrate improved accuracy and accessibility are simpler to replicate. Likewise, the larger the sample, the higher the ability to measure effects and ensure external validity.

Technology has greatly improved the study of psychology. It has led to innovation in treatment, education, mental health assessment, and background work. Technology often provides a far more convenient and cheaper alternative when used for assessment and therapy purposes. Maybe most importantly, it has enabled more people to get information and utilize mental health services.