The Importance Of Online Psychological Interventions

In the field of mental health, professionals must be constantly looking for ways to help their patients. (Cozby & Bates 2012). When dealing with research, it allows us to explore valuable information that has been

Individual therapy carried out over the Internet can include asynchronous methods, such as e-mail, synchronous methods, such as web-based messaging (instant messaging), chat, videoconferencing or voice-over IP (Internet phone). Virtual reality therapy and online video game therapy are two additional emerging online modalities. Online counseling may be provided as the primary treatment modality or as an adjunct to more traditional forms of mental health treatment. There are many advantages of online counseling. First of all, it provides accessibility to individuals who are disabled or housebound. Then, it is also always affordable and convenient. Internet makes mental health information more accessible. Later, people also feel comfortable while talking to friends and family about their health care issues, but may not feel the same discussing mental health

Today, protecting and strengthening our ‘mental health’ could not be more important. With our quick pace, 24/7 culture, we face more stress from our daily lives than before. Many of us work extended hours or multiple jobs, and take fewer vacations. In fact, one in three American employees is chronically overworked. The line between work and home life is often blurred so home is no longer a place of rest. Sleep and exercise feel like luxuries. We are eating poorly more often. We are constantly bombarded with information. We are also more disconnected from family, friends, and neighbors, and less engaged in our communities than we use to be. Trusting in one another has steadily declined over the last 30 years. Children aren’t immune either; many are racing from on activity to another without any downtime.(2007 Mental Health America.)

Over the last 30 years, the methods of human interactions have grown explosively, from face-to-face conversations, to video calling, instant messaging, texting, Facebook, Youtube, Snapchat, and Instagram. As the technology we surround ourselves with pervades an increasing number of aspects in our lives, it has begun to affect our mental health. A Carnegie Mellon study concluding that internet usage leads to significant increases in loneliness and depression received U.S. national media coverage (Kraut, Patterson, et al., 1998). However, others argue that the internet may just provide a place of refuge for those suffering from loneliness, anxiety, and depression. (McKenna and Bargh, 59)

Mental health services conducted on the Internet have been described as e-therapy, online counseling, e -mail therapy, Internet-based therapy, and similar terminology. Online therapy services may be provided as an adjunct to more traditional forms of mental health treatment, or may be initiated without any offline contact between the therapist and client. Currently, there are a variety of websites providing links and information regarding online therapy. As I was reading about benefits and risks in using internet as a source for

Technology throughout its existence has improved the overall quality of life for many people around the world. Its impact is evident in our generation, where many people rely on technology to gain information on current events, increase work efficiency and even helping us understand ourselves. “Advances in neuroscience, technology and research sophistication have greatly increased understanding of mental illnesses and improved the treatment of these disorders.” (Wahl, 2011). Despite our knowledge on various mental illnesses, many individuals stray away from professional assistance due to the stigma that is attached to the illness; many individuals do not opt for help because they do not want a label attached to them. Social media is a huge platform that influences many people and the slandering that many media platforms do when they discuss the topic of mental illness is slowly increasing and is an issue that must be discussed.

BeyondBlue is a well known online mental health service that provides web-based support. These types of services and agencies are particularly suitable for John and his mother as it caters to their current situation as John does not want to see a GP. The ease of access means that that are both able to seek support from a health professional in the comfort of their own home, and also into the online/technological aspect of John’s life as it has become a mainstream and arguably significant part of the lives of many adolescents. The mother can access and learn from a multitude of readily available resources to better support John and his mental health issue, this may also in turn resolve the strain on the relationship between John and his mother. Additionally, John may also come to the conclusion that he may need to seek an appointment with his GP for further

From schizophrenia to bipolar disorder to severe depression there is no question that these are serious mental illnesses that are debilitating and require constant medical care and according to the American Psychiatric Association(APA) hording and internet disorders are just a couple of new diagnosis that they have added to the manual of mental disorder or DSM. But is this addition of new mental disorders really beneficial for the patients or is this a way for doctors and pharmaceutical companies to cash in? , this paper proposes both drawbacks and benefits to the diagnosis of mental disorders as well as investigation of some specific examples of diagnosed disorders. However, the paper’s main direction is to focus on the drawbacks which

Participants stated that website was easy to use, interesting, motivating and they would be satisfied to use it in the future (Paul et al., 2014). In the recent study, chronic pain patients considered telerehabilitation helpful as a complementary or follow-up treatment, but not as an autonomous treatment. Patients reported that telerehabilitation reduced transportation barriers, facilitated flexible exercise hours, and assisted better integrate skills into daily life (Mozer, Bradford, Caffery, & Smith,

In the first study Wittenberg, Saada, and Prosser (2013) explore how illness affects family members by using an internet

No screening procedure was undertaken prior to commencement of the research. This means that it was unknown whether or not the sample was purely non-clinical or clinical. This limits the research as there can be no generalisation to a specific population and the results have the potential to be skewed by participants in a clinical population. Future research should focus on a purely non-clinical population to assess the effects of social media on mental health.

As mentioned above, therapeutic interventions may be delivered by numerous routes, including email, web text-chat, and video chat. Some programs are utilized as self-help or as adjuncts to professionally administered therapy. These resources include online support forums for specific concerns, support chat rooms, psychoeducational resources, and structured programs that are based on therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT in this context). Such distinctions may have very important implications for the acceptability of the program in question as well as for efficacy and user adherence. The efficacy of online psychotherapy services is an important topic. Different studies report varying results, likely as a result of the broad variability of web-based interventions that are being studied. Some researchers in this area have attempted to tackle the problems that this variability presents by proposing a system of categorization for different types of programs. Barack et al (2009) suggested that implementing a four-category system that distinguishes among web-based interventions, online counseling/therapy, Internet operated psychotherapeutic software, and other online programs considered

Online therapy has emerged as a viable new option in the helping profession. Online therapy or e-therapy occurs when a therapist provides therapy and support over the Internet. E-mail, chat, video, or smart phone are all ways individuals can communicate through online therapy. Online therapy websites are abounding on the Internet, any individual seeking online therapy will surely find what they are looking for. This paper will evaluate and explain the content from

Online support groups can help someone gain a sense of control or empowerment and reduce their levels of stress, depression, or anxiety by promoting open, honest sharing of personal feelings, mutual emotional support, comfort, “virtual” hugging, sharing of practical treatment information, coping strategies, personal experiences, and “success stories” by way of e-mails and Internet group discussion boards (Wessel, K, 1996).

While there are many benefits to the use of e-therapy the importance of the effectiveness of that therapy has not been clearly ascertained. Regardless of the practicality of e-therapy, success of