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 uncomfortable. In some areas, there may be no in-person therapies available. Technology offers other options that put a premium on client ease of access. Digital technology, in the form of websites, 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 therapy (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 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 offer a different experience; body language, tone, and nuance are mostly lost when 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 studies have agreed that teletherapy is just as effective as traditional therapy.

 

Websites and Apps

There’s definitely an exploding market of internet-related psychotherapeutic treatment. Much of this is accessed through web sites and apps. Even though some applications are basically conduits to teletherapy services, many are hybrids that offer education, self-help, and online support when necessary. The majority 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 depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health apps are unregulated, however, so users should proceed with caution when trying to get 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 more convenient, except in more mature populations who will not be as familiar with computer systems. This makes data analysis easier; data collected on a computer can be quickly reconstructed as 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 right after it is entered.

 

Adding to Convenience

Cell phones and wearables (e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers), help it become easy to compile information as it takes place, rather than rely on a later self-report. Human memory is fallible and the quicker the details are entered the more likely it is reliable. Some software automatically enters information, like programs measuring activity and sleep habits. More information still is required to be entered by hand (e.g., a food log) but can be done much 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 confined 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 brain function of elementary school students in their school rooms.

 

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 researchers to gather data without actually going to a specific environment. Besides this being cheaper and more effortless, but it also eliminates certain ethical concerns and reliance upon self-report. Another illustration of new technology is a sensor that is placed on the skin to determine Galvanic Skin Response, an indicator of stress. Additionally, the use of mobile devices allows measurement to occur almost anyplace with increased accuracy.

 

Databases

Storage technology has made it possible for the development of huge databases of data. A number of these catalog human behavior that can be used in the study of psychology. For instance, databases possess specifics of anything from crime stats to sleep deprivation. In addition, these databases collect data from a large and diverse population, making them ideal for satisfying validity concerns. This presents psychologists with huge stores of knowledge in which to examine.

 

Improving Validity and Dependability

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

Technology has revitalized study regarding psychology. It has led to advancement in treatment, education, mental health assessment, and background work. Technology often provides a far more convenient and cheaper option when used for assessment and therapy reasons. Maybe most importantly, it has enabled a lot more people to acquire information and utilize mental health services.