Treatment

Technology has had a noticeable impact on the evolving world of treatment. The traditional 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 choices that put a premium on client ease and comfort. Digital technology, in the form of websites, apps, and teleconferencing, 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.

 

Teletherapy

If the expansion of brands that offer services (e.g., Betterhelp and Talkspace) is any indicator, the popularity of teletherapy 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 provide a different experience; body language, tone, and nuance are commonly lost because you are not able to see or hear your therapist. However, the convenience of receiving services, especially in underserved communities, may be greater than the disadvantages. Although much more groundwork is needed, some studies have agreed that teletherapy is just as effective as more traditional therapy.

 

Websites and Apps

There is an explosion of internet-related psychotherapeutic treatment. Much of this is accessed 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 when required. 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 disorders, including ADHD, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health apps are unregulated, however, so consumers need to proceed with caution when attempting to find help.

Improved Self-Report

Most self-report options, which are still the greater part of psychological research and assessments, can be taken easily on a computer, instead of with pen and paper. This reduces costs and is generally easier, except in more mature communities who may not be as familiar with computer systems. This makes data research easier; data collected 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 information as it happens, rather than rely on a later self-report. Human memory is fallible and the quicker the information is entered the more likely it is correct. Some software immediately enters information, such as programs measuring activity and sleep habits. More information still must be entered by hand (e.g., a food log) but could be done much more quickly and conveniently on a phone you carry with you at all times. Technology also allows scientists 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 computer software on an iPad to cognitively study the thinking processes of elementary school students inside their classrooms.

 

New Instruments

Technology has introduced new ways to gather information and facts, some of which are vast improvements over older methods. For example, virtual reality tech allows researchers to collect data without actually having to go to a specific natural environment. Besides this being cheaper and more convenient, but it also eliminates certain ethical issues and reliance upon self-report. Another example of new technology is a sensor that is affixed to the skin to determine Galvanic Skin Response, a signal of stress. Additionally, the use of mobile devices allows measurement to occur almost anywhere with an increase of accuracy.

 

Databases

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

 

Improving Validity and Reliability

As technology advances, instruments are created which allow scientists to get 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 basically 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 metamorphosed study regarding psychology. It has led to innovation in treatment, education, mental health assessment, and background work. Technology generally provides a far more convenient and cheaper alternative when used for assessment and therapy reasons. Maybe most importantly, it has enabled a lot more people to obtain information and take advantage of mental health services.