Treatment

Technology has had a noteworthy impact on the advancing world of mental health treatment. The classic face-to-face therapy session is often time-consuming and inconvenient. In some areas, there may be no in-person therapies available. Technology offers other options that put a premium on client convenience. Digital technology, in the form of websites, 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.

 

Telemedicine

If the expansion of brands that offer services (e.g., Betterhelp and Talkspace) is any indication, the popularity of teletherapy 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 rely on phone calls and texting seem to offer a different experience; body language, tone, and nuance are mostly lost because you aren’t able to see or hear your therapist. However, the advantage of receiving services, especially in underserved communities, may be greater than the disadvantages. Although much more research is needed, some medical professionals have concluded that teletherapy is just as effective as more traditional therapy.

 

Websites and Apps

There’s an exploding market of internet-related psychotherapeutic treatment. A majority of this is accessible through web sites and apps. Even though some apps are basically just conduits to teletherapy services, many are hybrids that offer education, self-help, and online support if necessary. The majority of online 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 ADHD, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health apps are unregulated, however, so users should proceed with caution when trying to get help.

Improved Self-Report

Many self-report options, which are still the greater part of psychological research and assessments, can be given easily on a laptop or computer, as opposed to with pen and paper. This decreases costs and is generally easier, except in older communities who may not be as familiar with computer systems. This makes data research easier; data compiled on a computer can be quickly turned into computer statistical analysis. For example, many assessment instruments (e.g., the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory) automatically tabulate and interpret data immediately after it is entered.

 

Adding to Convenience

Cell phones and wearables (e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers), help it become easy to compile information as it takes place, instead of having to depend on a later self-report. Our memory is fallible and the speedier the information is entered the more likely it is accurate. Some software instantly enters information, such as programs measuring exercise and sleep habits. Other information still must be entered manually (e.g., a food log) but could be done much more quickly and conveniently on a phone you carry on hand at all times. Technology also allows researchers to perform measurements in natural settings rather than be restricted to the lab. For example, neuroscientist Melina Uncapher of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) uses software programs on an iPad to cognitively assess the brain function of elementary school students in their classrooms.

 

New Instruments

Technology has introduced new ways to gather material, some of which are vast advancements over older methods. For example, virtual reality tech allows researchers to gather data without actually visiting a specific natural environment. Not only is this cheaper and more convenient, but it also eradicates certain ethical concerns and dependence on self-report. Another example of new technology is a sensor that is placed on the skin to determine Galvanic Skin Response, a signal of stress. Additionally, the effective use of mobile devices allows measurement to take place almost anywhere with a lot more accuracy.

 

Databases

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

 

Improving Validity and Integrity

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

Technology has metamorphosed study regarding psychology. It has led to advancement in treatment, education, mental health assessment, and research. Technology generally provides a more convenient and cheaper alternative when used for assessment and treatment reasons. Maybe most significantly, it has enabled more people to get information and utilize mental health services.