Treatment

Technology has had a major impact on the changing world of mental health treatment. The classic face-to-face therapy session is often time-consuming and inconvenient. In some areas, there is no in-person therapies available. Technology offers alternate options that put a premium on client comfort and ease. 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 companies that offer services (e.g., Betterhelp and Talkspace) is any indication, 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 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 always 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 groundwork is needed, some medical professionals have determined that teletherapy is just as effective as more traditional therapy.

 

Websites and Apps

There’s an exploding market of internet-related psychotherapeutic treatment. Much of this is accessible through web sites and apps. Although some apps are basically conduits to teletherapy services, many are hybrids that offer education, self-help, and online support if necessary. The bulk of online based therapy uses cognitive-behavioral principles. As a whole, internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy has exhibited positive results for a variety of psychological illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health apps are unregulated, however, so consumers should certainly proceed with caution when in search of assistance.

Improved Self-Report

Many self-report options, which are still the majority of psychological research and assessments, can be given easily on a computer, rather than with pen and paper. This reduces costs and is generally easier, except in more mature populations who may not be as familiar with computer systems. This also makes data analysis easier; data compiled 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 immediately after it is entered.

 

Adding to Convenience

Cell phones and wearables (e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers), make it easy to compile information as it happens, instead of having to depend on a later self-report. Human memory is fallible and the speedier the information is entered the more likely it is correct. Some software immediately enters information, including programs measuring exercise and sleep habits. Other information still needs to be entered manually (e.g., a food log) but can be done much more quickly and conveniently on a phone you carry with you at all times. 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 computer software on an iPad to cognitively assess the brain function of elementary school students inside their school rooms.

 

New Instruments

Technology has unveiled new ways to gather information and facts, some of which are vast advancements over older methods. For instance, virtual reality tech allows scientists to collect data without actually having to go to a specific natural environment. Besides this being cheaper and more effortless, but it also eliminates certain ethical concerns and dependence on self-report. Another example of new technology is a sensor that is placed on the skin to measure Galvanic Skin Response, an indicator of stress. Additionally, the use of mobile devices allows measurement to take place almost anywhere with more accuracy.

 

Databases

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

 

Improving Validity and Trustworthiness

As technology advances, instruments are created which allow research workers to obtain 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 naturally unreliable. New instruments that exhibit improved accuracy and accessibility are easier to replicate. Moreover, the greater the sample, the higher the ability to measure effects and ensure external validity.

Technology has remodeled study regarding psychology. It has led to advancement in treatment, education, mental health assessment, and background work. Technology usually provides a more convenient and cheaper option when used for assessment and therapy reasons. Maybe most significantly, it has enabled more and more people to get information and utilize mental health services.