Treatment

Technology has had a huge impact on the evolving world of treatment. The traditional face-to-face therapy session is often time-consuming and uncomfortable. In some areas, there is no in-person treatment available. Technology offers other choices that put a premium on client ease and comfort. Digital technology, in the form of websites, apps, and telemedicine, are the future of psychotherapy. Revolutionary online 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 treatment (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 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 rely on phone calls and texting seem to present a different experience; body language, tone, and nuance are always lost because you are not able to see or hear your therapist. However, the ease of receiving services, especially in underserved communities, may outweigh the disadvantages. Although much more research is needed, some medical professionals have agreed that teletherapy is just as effective as traditional therapy.

 

Websites and Apps

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

Improved Self-Report

Most self-report options, which are still the greater part of psychological research and assessments, can be implemented easily on a computer, as an alternative to with paper and pencil. This decreases costs and is generally more convenient, except in older populations who will 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 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), help it become easy to compile info as it occurs, rather than depend on a later self-report. Human memory is fallible and the speedier the details are entered the more likely it is accurate. Some software instantly enters information, including programs measuring activity and sleep habits. Other 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 with you all the time. 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 in their classrooms.

 

New Instruments

Technology has unveiled new ways to gather material, some of which are vast improvements over older methods. For instance, virtual reality tech allows researchers to gather data without actually having to go to a specific natural environment. Not only is this cheaper and more effortless, but it also removes certain ethical worries and dependence on self-report. Another instance of new technology is a sensor that is positioned on the skin to measure Galvanic Skin Response, a signal of stress. Additionally, using mobile devices allows measurement to occur almost anyplace with increased accuracy.

 

Databases

Storage technology has permitted 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 details on everything from crime statistics to sleep deprivation. Furthermore, these databases collect info from a large and diverse population, making them ideal for satisfying validity concerns. This presents psychologists with huge stores of knowledge in which to look into.

 

Improving Validity and Integrity

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

Technology has metamorphosed the study of psychology. It has led to advancement in treatment, education, mental health assessment, and research. Technology often provides a more convenient and cheaper alternative when used for assessment and treatment applications. Maybe most significantly, it has enabled a lot more people to obtain information and take advantage of mental health services.