Treatment

Technology has had a huge impact on the 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 alternatives that put a premium on client ease and comfort. Digital technology, in the form of web sites, mobile apps, and telemedicine, are the future of psychotherapy. Revolutionary digital psychiatric assessment tools like Clinicom are setting new standards in how treament is advancing in mental health.

 

Teletherapy

If the proliferation of brands that offer treatment (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 text messaging 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 present a different experience; body language, tone, and nuance are often lost because you are not able to see or hear your therapist. However, the ease of receiving services, especially in underserved communities, may be greater than the disadvantages. Although much more groundwork is needed, some researchers have concluded that teletherapy is just as effective as traditional therapy.

 

Websites and Apps

There’s an explosion of internet-related psychotherapeutic treatment. Much of this is accessed through websites and apps. Although some apps are simply 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 favorable results for a variety of psychological illnesses, including ADHD, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health apps are unregulated, however, so consumers need to proceed with caution when looking for help.

Improved Self-Report

Most self-report measures, which are still the greater part of psychological research and assessments, can be implemented easily on a laptop or computer, as an alternative to with pen and paper. This decreases costs and is generally more convenient, except in older populations who may not be as familiar with computer systems. This also makes data research easier; data collected on a computer can be quickly turned 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 immediately after it is entered.

 

Adding to Convenience

Cell phones and wearables (e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers), help it become easy to compile info 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 automatically enters information, like programs measuring physical exercise and sleep habits. More information still has to be entered by hand (e.g., a food log) but can be done far more quickly and conveniently on a phone you carry on hand regularly. Technology also allows analysts to perform measurements in natural settings rather than be limited to the lab. For example, neuroscientist Melina Uncapher of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) uses software programs on an iPad to cognitively study the thinking processes of elementary school students inside their classrooms.

 

New Instruments

Technology has unveiled new ways to gather material, some of which are vast advancements over older methods. For example, virtual reality tech allows researchers to collect data without actually visiting a specific environment. Besides this being cheaper and more convenient, but it also eradicates certain ethical concerns and attachment to self-report. Another instance of new technology is a sensor that is positioned on the skin to determine Galvanic Skin Response, an indicator of stress. Additionally, the utilization of mobile devices allows measurement to occur almost anywhere with a lot more accuracy.

 

Databases

Storage technology has made it possible for the development of huge databases of data. A number of these catalog human behavior which can be used in the study of psychology. For example, databases possess information regarding everything from crime figures to sleep deprivation. Furthermore, these databases collect information from a large and diverse human population, making them well suited for satisfying validity concerns. This provides psychologists with huge stores of knowledge in which to explore.

 

Improving Validity and Dependability

As technology advances, instruments are created which allow researchers to acquire larger samples and be more precise in their measurements. One of the great problems in psychological research is the replication of results. Pen and pencil self-report has been fundamentally unreliable. New instruments that demonstrate improved accuracy and accessibility are easier to replicate. Additionally, the greater 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 often provides a more convenient and cheaper option when used for assessment and treatment purposes. Maybe most importantly, it has enabled more people to obtain information and take advantage of mental health services.