Treatment

Technology has had a huge impact on the advancing world of mental health treatment. The classic face-to-face therapy session is often time-consuming and cumbersome. In some areas, there is no in-person therapy available. Technology offers alternatives 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.

 

Teletherapy

If the proliferation of companies that offer treatment (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 telephone. 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 provide a different experience; body language, tone, and nuance are commonly lost when 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 case studies have agreed that teletherapy is just as effective as conventional therapy.

 

Websites and Apps

There’s certainly an explosion of internet-related psychotherapeutic treatment. Much of this is available through websites and apps. Even though some apps are basically conduits to teletherapy services, many are hybrids that offer education, self-help, and online support if needed. The bulk of internet-based therapy uses cognitive-behavioral principles. As a whole, internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy has exhibited positive 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 looking for assistance.

Improved Self-Report

Most self-report actions, which are still the greater part of psychological research and assessments, can be taken easily on a laptop or computer, in place of with pen and paper. This reduces costs and is generally easier, except in more mature communities who may not be as familiar with computers. This also makes data research easier; data compiled on a computer can be quickly turned into computer statistical analysis. For instance, many assessment instruments (e.g., the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory) automatically tabulate and interpret data immediately after it is entered.

 

Increasing Convenience

Cell phones and wearables (e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers), help it become easy to compile info as it occurs, rather than rely on a later self-report. Our memory is fallible and the faster the information is entered the more likely it is precise. Some software instantly enters information, including programs measuring exercise and sleep habits. More information still must be entered by hand (e.g., a food log) but could be done far more quickly and conveniently on a phone you carry on hand all the time. Technology also allows scientists to perform measurements in natural settings rather than be 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 study the brain function of elementary school students in their classrooms.

 

New Instruments

Technology has unveiled new ways to gather information, some of which are vast upgrades over older methods. For instance, virtual reality tech allows scientists to gather data without actually visiting a specific environment. Besides this being cheaper and more convenient, but it also removes certain ethical concerns and reliance on self-report. Another illustration of new technology is a sensor that is positioned on the skin to determine Galvanic Skin Response, an indicator of stress. Additionally, the effective use of mobile devices allows measurement to take place almost anyplace with more accuracy.

 

Databases

Storage technology has helped the development of huge databases of data. Many of these catalog human behavior which can be used in the study of psychology. For example, databases possess facts about everything from crime stats to sleep deprivation. In addition, these databases collect information from a large and diverse human population, making them ideal for satisfying validity concerns. This provides psychologists with huge stores of data in which to explore.

 

Improving Validity and Dependability

As technology advances, instruments are created which allow people to get larger samples and be more accurate in their measurements. One of many great problems in psychological research is the reproduction of results. Pen and pencil self-report has been inherently unreliable. New instruments that exhibit improved accuracy and accessibility are easier to replicate. Furthermore, the better the sample, the higher the ability to measure effects and ensure external validity.

Technology has remodeled the study of psychology. It has led to advancement in treatment, education, mental health assessment, and research. Technology usually provides a far more convenient and cheaper option when used for assessment and treatment reasons. Maybe most significantly, it has enabled lots more people to acquire information and take advantage of mental health services.