- Online psychotherapy
Online psychotherapy refers to the practice of traditional
psychotherapy carried out via theinternet .Psychosocial interventions are effective in the treatment of a range of
psychiatric disorders . Supply constraints however mean that access to psychotherapy is limited, particularly for those in less developed countries and in rural areas. The use and acceptability of the Internet as a medium for information on a range of physical and mental health issues is well documented.More recently, the the internet has become a vehicle in which psychological assessment can be conducted and treatment can be delivered. Compared to face-to-face treatment for psychological disorders, on-line interventions may be more appealing to those with mental illness. Online interventions are potentially accessible, cost-effective, and enable limitless access.
A range of therapy formats currently exist online. Many of these interventions have been validated for efficacy, and have been tailored for specific disorders eg. MoodGYM for
depression (http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au), panic online forpanic disorder and http://www.moodswings.net.au forbipolar disorder .References
*CHAMBLESS DL, OLLENDICK TH. Empirically supported psychological interventions: controversies and evidence. "Annual Review of Psychology" 2001; 52: 685-716.
*CHESTER A, GLASS CA. Online Counseling: a descriptive analysis of therapy services on the Internet. "British Journal of Guidance and Counselling" 2006; 34: 145-60.
*CHRISTENSEN H, GRIFFITHS KM, JORM AF. Delivering interventions for depression by using the Internet: Randomised controlled trial. "British Medical Journal" 2004; 328: 265 - 370.
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