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The future of online therapy
... The online counselling and psychotherapy prevalence traced from the early 1960s to the current technological advances in the field (Hanley, 2020) has highlighted some changes towards online practices and service provision. Over the last 30 years, mental health professionals and academics have explored and experimented (both at practice and research-based level) with delivering mental health interventions through the cyberspace (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Andersson, 2018). During this time, interest in using the internet to deliver remote intervention has fluctuated with some embracing the potential benefits of this emerging modality, while others held a sceptical stance based on potential limitations. ...
... During this time, interest in using the internet to deliver remote intervention has fluctuated with some embracing the potential benefits of this emerging modality, while others held a sceptical stance based on potential limitations. This line of research and practice-based activity, however, has led to the accumulation of valuable and well-documented evidence-basis and knowledge which has shaped the framework of what is known today as "online counselling/ therapy", "internet (mediated) interventions", "cyber-therapy" and" e-therapy or tele-therapy" (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Mallen & Vogel, 2005;Mallen, Jenkins, Vogel & Day, 2011). This chapter aims to bring together this body of knowledge through a synthesis of classic psychological theory, cyber-psychology theory and research-based observation and findings to provide a comprehensive overview of digitalised mental health intervention. ...
... Due to its diverse, physically distant (between therapist and client) and flexible nature, online counselling appears to challenge many of the fundamental principles of counselling as we traditionally know it in the offline context. One main criticism has been that the distance that separates the therapist and client can create barriers in the enactment of key psychological processes such as transmission of nonverbal cues, limited levels of empathic connection and an overall concern that the process becomes dehumanised as it is filled with technological aids (Hanley, 2009;Amichai-Hamburger et al.,2014). Also, at times concerns have been raised as to the privacy and confidentiality considerations underpinning the process of counselling (e.g. ...
This chapter covers the broad range of online counselling work, using the COVID-19 era as a point of reference. It provides an overview of online applications of counselling and psychotherapy at pre-COVID-19 time and informs the reader of how online counselling provision has been accelerated during the pandemic. A theoretical overview of the key counselling and therapeutic processes as conceptualised in the cyberspace which considers six distinct modes of online communication are provided. An evaluation and the review of the latest efficacy and effectiveness research evidence of online counselling is also provided. The key benefits and challenges of digitalised therapeutic interventions from the clients' and therapists' perspectives covering pre and during COVID-19 are identified. Attention is drawn to existing studies on counselling engagement, adherence, outreach, non-stigmatising counselling practices, power imbalances in the counselling process, and therapy outcomes.
... An overview of the literature revealed scant research on the topic of virtual groups. Some studies have explored related topics, such as individual video e-therapy (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014), Internet-supported group therapy (Barak and Grohol, 2011), cyber groups (Weinberg, 2018), and virtual teams (e.g., Gibbs, 2009;Dixon and Panteli, 2010). However, none of these studies directly examined the unique experience of facilitating virtual video groups in which participants and facilitators see themselves throughout the session. ...
... The research also suggests ways therapists and facilitators can address challenges posed by the virtual space. One is by paying close attention to facial gestures and postures (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Weinberg, 2018). Another is to use virtuality as a means of reducing anxiety by allowing participants to play and fantasize with their representations (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Dixon and Panteli, 2010). ...
... One is by paying close attention to facial gestures and postures (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Weinberg, 2018). Another is to use virtuality as a means of reducing anxiety by allowing participants to play and fantasize with their representations (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Dixon and Panteli, 2010). In her work on virtual teams, Gibbs (2009) suggests a transcendental approach, namely, the ability to hold dialectical tensions in check without choosing one over the other, leads to more effective virtual team work. ...
The research phenomenologically explored the experience of facilitating virtual video groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research questions addressed relational processes in virtual video groups, including emotional presence, interpersonal communication, and intimacy. Specifically, we asked how facilitators can intervene effectively to promote these processes in the virtual space, within the context of social distancing.
Semi-structured group interviews were held with 26 female group facilitators from various professional backgrounds during the first wave of COVID-19 in Israel in May 2020. Phenomenological analysis yielded five main themes addressing dialectical tensions that operate simultaneously in the virtual space, both enabling and hindering relational processes in virtual video groups: intimacy and intrusion in the domestic space; sharp transitions from presence to absence; fragmented processing despite abundant information; sterility and clarity in group communication; and the hyper-aware self – being a participant and an observer at the same time. Moving groups into a virtual sphere challenged the traditional role of facilitators, who struggled to create a safe space in an unstable virtual setting where the boundaries between personal and professional lives were reduced. Findings also point to the potential of the domestic space to promote closeness and intimacy and suggest the virtual space requires facilitators to embrace multiplicity as a state of mind when intervening. Facilitators must work with permeable boundaries between inner and outer group spaces, accept discontinuity as a basic property of the virtual, and acknowledge the limitations caused by multiple stimuli.
... Entre os prejuízos presumidos estão as possíveis dificuldades encontradas no estabelecimento das comunicações verbais e não verbais. Além disso, outros fatores como sigilo, identidade de pacientes e psicoterapeutas, manejos e situações de risco poderiam tornar mal sucedido o processo psicoterápico (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Kotsopoulou, Melis, Koutsompou, & Karasarlidou, 2015). ...
... Embora a temática seja relevante na atualidade, estudos empíricos que avaliem os atendimentos psicoterápicos pela internet ainda são escassos no Brasil (Crestana, 2015). Um dos motivos poderia residir na dificuldade em estabelecer critérios para as investigações no que diz respeito aos termos legais, éticos e aos resultados obtidos nos distintos tratamentos (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Kotsopoulou et al., 2015). Outros motivos seriam a falta de treinamento especializado entre os profissionais e o desconhecimento do uso dessas tecnologias na prática clínica (Feijó et al., 2018a). ...
A utilização das tecnologias de informação e comunicação em saúde mental é uma tendência crescente. Nos últimos anos, as pesquisas centraram-se sobre sua influência nos tratamentos psicoterápicos mediados pela internet. Este estudo realizou uma revisão sistemática de resultados dos tratamentos psicoterápicos online, a fim de verificar os indícios de sua eficácia. Buscas foram realizadas nas bases PsycINFO, Scielo e Periódicos da CAPES com os descritores "tratamento pela internet", "psicoterapia online", "telepsicologia" e "eficácia". Foram encontrados 16 estudos para análise final; os resultados indicam indícios de eficácia dessas intervenções para uma série de transtornos psicopatológicos. A terapia cognitivo comportamental foi a abordagem teórica mais utilizada nas intervenções. As intervenções online, com psicoterapeuta, foram superiores aos outros tipos de intervenções. Poucos trabalhos descreviam as características dos grupos controles e o treinamento dos psicoterapeutas. A heterogeneidade clínica e instrumentos de avaliação de resultados limitam a generalização dos achados e a comparação entre os estudos.
Palavras-chave: Revisão sistemática. Internet. Psicoterapia.
... Some general advantages of web-based interventions are that they have a lower threshold for first treatment contact (12,13), they can be as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy (14)(15)(16), they come at a low cost (17), and they have usually no or only short waiting lists (12). Online, many clients feel they can maintain their privacy (18), feel less stigmatized (19,20), and (sometimes even) prefer the impersonal nature of the web, as they do not have to disclose their feelings and problems in person (21). ...
... Some general advantages of web-based interventions are that they have a lower threshold for first treatment contact (12,13), they can be as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy (14)(15)(16), they come at a low cost (17), and they have usually no or only short waiting lists (12). Online, many clients feel they can maintain their privacy (18), feel less stigmatized (19,20), and (sometimes even) prefer the impersonal nature of the web, as they do not have to disclose their feelings and problems in person (21). ...
Nowadays, traditional forms of psychotherapy are increasingly complemented by online interactions between client and counselor. In (some) web-based psychotherapeutic interventions, meetings are exclusively online through asynchronous messages. As the active ingredients of therapy are included in the exchange of several emails, this verbal exchange contains a wealth of information about the psychotherapeutic change process. Unfortunately, drop-out-related issues are exacerbated online. We employed several machine learning models to find (early) signs of drop-out in the email data from the “Alcohol de Baas” intervention by Tactus. Our analyses indicate that the email texts contain information about drop-out, but as drop-out is a multidimensional construct, it remains a complex task to accurately predict who will drop out. Nevertheless, by taking this approach, we present insight into the possibilities of working with email data and present some preliminary findings (which stress the importance of a good working alliance between client and counselor, distinguish between formal and informal language, and highlight the importance of Tactus' internet forum).
... In addition to the previous mentioned details, this kind of treatment is probably ideal for patients who have social anxiety and as a result they have been deprived SLT for a long time [22]. Nevertheless, the specialist should keep in mind for the inclusion of a patient in an online SLT program that telepractice is mainly related to the familiarity of the person with the simple use of a computer and to being able of focusing on a screen [13]. ...
... As far as the children's case (over 5 years old), these could be more suitable for online therapy as they pay more attention and have listening skills [11]. Still, by excluding the technical issues, various conditions, such as hyperactivity, mental and learning difficulties, as well as hearing problems, can pose problems on online communication in a more slightly difficult way [22]. Consequently, this is a very important reason that before the beginning of an online therapy with a new client, a short session should be made in order to be discussed both the goals and the probable limitations for the specific case [3,4]. ...
Currently, the needs for new technologies are rising and especially due to Covid-19. The world is changing into a digital theater of businesses and educational processes. Consequently, tele-health is constantly enriched with new scientific areas of expertise, a fact that gives a new and promising perspective for people who cannot reach in-time a specialist. Specifically, for the case of speech language therapy (SLT), new techniques emerge and involve telepractice and tele-counceling. In turn, the aim of the present study was to discover a model of predicting potential benefits from the online form of speech and language therapy (distant sessions) along with the view of the involved speech therapists and parents. For this purpose, a hypothetical sample of specialists and parents, was produced as being supposedly participated into sessions with their children for evaluating the overall performance of each technique (live and distant) with a total score. Thereinafter, statistical analyses were performed and the relevant machine learning was applied for building an artificial neural network for examining the results, in order to show the capabilities of the proposed model. This outcome is important as it can actuate SLT scientific area to include, in the future, more advanced techniques for distant sessions, concluding to even surpassing the classical technique.
... Telepsychology is defined as the provision of psychological services using telecommunication technologies (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Terms such as telepsychology, telemental health, e-therapy, cybertherapy, email therapy, computermediated interventions, and online therapy are oftentimes used interchangeably in the literature (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014). Telecommunication technologies include, but are not limited to, telephone, mobile devices, interactive videoconferencing/webcam, email, chat, text, and internet (e.g., self-help websites, blogs, and social media). ...
... In addition, VE has been used to enhance skills in patients who experience challenges or anxieties in interpersonal communication such as children with autism (Herrera et al., 2008;Strickland, 1997) and individuals with Asperger's syndrome (Cobb et al., 2002). VR components may be utilized to allow patients to practice learned cognitive and/or behavioral skills (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014). VR and VEs also allow for observations in real time and with other live participants in the assessment and evaluation of attention (Rizzo et al., 2001), spatial skills (McComas et al., 1998), executive cognition skills (Pugnetti et al., 1998), social skills (Harvey et al., 2019), and interpersonal and intergroup behavior (Tawa, 2017). ...
... This can also be an effective option for DHH clients, with suitable customization of the program (e.g., Moore et al., 2009). Despite limitations of distance, technological divide, lack of face-to-face contact, which may lead to transmission of nonverbal cues, and affect privacy and confidentiality, throw up potential ethical challenges and legal concerns (Dunn, 2012), online therapies, with adequate care, are here to stay (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014). ...
... Research on struggles of DHH students in coping with tertiary or higher education systems and predominantly hearing students is supported (e.g., (Cohen' s d range = .63-.97, p = .03-.001) for the DHH students in reducing anxiety, enhancing self-esteem, and academic selfefficacy as compared to the RS. This makes a case for spiritual counseling and specifically online programs for DHH students (e.g., Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Moore et al., 2009). At the point of no intervention, for both the spiritual counseling and RS cohorts, anxiety was lower and self-esteem and efficacy were higher for male students and those whose parents were highly qualified. ...
This article reports the impact of an online spiritual counseling (OSC) program in mitigating anxiety and building self-esteem and academic self-efficacy among deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students in universities. Compared to online relaxation sessions, the OSC was more effective. Male DHH students and those whose parents were highly qualified exhibited less anxiety and higher self-esteem and self-efficacy at pretest (T1). Post-test (T2) male students having better educated parents responded better to the OSC. T2 anxiety was lower and self-esteem and academic self-efficacy was higher for liberal arts students and having stay-at-home parents compared with science and commerce students and whose parents worked outside home. Self-esteem was also positively moderated by better economic class and presence of siblings. Intervention compliance in terms of regular attendance and self-practice mediated the relationship between sociodemographic predictors and outcomes. Results support the biopsychosocial model and encourage the implementation of the OSC with DHH university students.
... This can also be an effective option for individuals who lead busy lifestyles. Despite limitations of distance, technological divide, and lack of face-to-face contact (Dunn 2012), online interventions, with adequate care of privacy and confidentiality, are here to stay (Amichai-Hamburger et al. 2014). ...
... Immigrant couples who underwent the online spiritual counseling sessions reported lower immigration stress and better marital adjustment as T2 as compared to the waitlist control group. Hence with the fairly high effect sizes (p ≤ 0.01, Cohen's d range = 5.10-7.59) the efficacy of online spiritual psychoeducational interventions within family/couple therapy (Amichai-Hamburger et al. 2014), as a coping resource for immigrants (Steffen andMerrill 2011), couples (Carlson et al. 2014) and for promoting relationship satisfaction (Lenger et al. 2017), is validated. ...
This article reports a study examining the impact of online spiritual counseling (OSC) sessions in mitigating immigration stress and promoting better marital adjustment of South Asian young dual earner couples emigrating to the USA. The OSC was effective for intervention group couples as compared to the waitlist control group. Post-test immigration stress was lower for those with professional degrees and who had prior living experience in the USA. Marital adjustment scores were higher for Hindu and Sikh couples, with professional degrees, who had prior living experience in the USA, for whom the marriage was a personal choice, and who had no children. Intervention compliance in terms of attendance and self-practice mediated the association between socio-demographic predictors and outcomes. There was concordance in outcomes of the dyadic partners, immigration stress and marital adjustment scores of husbands and wives were interdependent and associated. Within family therapy, the effectiveness of the OSC sessions for immigrant couples is supported with modifications for certain subgroups. Refinements may include adding familiar spiritual tenets for Christian and Muslim couples, including aspects of dealing with acculturation for those with no prior emigration experience and partner adjustment for couples in arranged marriages, and simpler expectations from those with children.
... The results of this study have particularly important implications for clinical practice, given current global accessibility issues, exacerbated by the global pandemic 34,35 , in which only a minority of people in need have access to psychological therapy. Internet-delivered CBT and other forms of online therapy have the potential to ameliorate this issue and substantially reduce waiting times, by offering a degree of flexibility that is not available in traditional face-to-face services 36 . Internet-delivered interventions have been shown to be cost-effective relative to a range of control comparators (wait-list control, treatment as usual, attention control and other psychological and pharmaceutical therapies) 12,37,38 . ...
Understanding the drivers of health and economic cost for the treatment of mental health conditions is critical to meet the accelerating demands for care. We conducted an economic evaluation of real-world healthcare-systems data from 27,540 patients receiving care for a mood or an anxiety disorder within the UK National Healthcare Service. Using Markov models built on discrete health states to compare the cost-effectiveness of different interventions, we show that the principal drivers of healthcare cost relate to waiting times and treatment effectiveness. We find that internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy has a ‘dominant’ incremental cost-effectiveness ratio relative to standard care, offering similar clinical effectiveness but with shorter treatment times. In most healthcare systems, the clinical effectiveness of mental healthcare remains unquantified, and long treatment times are common. The potential for these findings to inform mental healthcare policy is substantial, particularly around immediacy of access and the importance of outcomes-focused quality management.
... If needed, the indicator can be calculated automatically without exposing the actual text itself to the therapist. This will help improve the accuracy of a useful diagnosis, given that it leverages the patient's real-life behavior, and could inform the possible direction of therapy 42,43 . Thus, the ability to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a patient's levels of EI through their texts may be a valuable resource to therapists. ...
Emotional intelligence is a well-established indicator of performance and the ability to maintain successful social relationships. Moreover, it is potentially an important factor in social dynamics occurring on large digital platforms, e.g., opinion polarization, social conflict, and social influence. Users publicly exchange enormous amounts of text on digital platforms, which can potentially be used to extract real-life insights. Yet, currently, the prevalent approach to measuring emotional intelligence uses mainly self-report surveys and tasks—considerably limiting the feasibility of real-life large-scale studies. We analyze the online public texts of users, who also completed emotional intelligence measures, to find that characteristics of online public texts can be used to predict emotional intelligence at a level like that of commonly used psychometric indicators (e.g., SATs) to predict real-life outcomes. For example, we find that high emotional intelligence individuals consistently use more positive-affect language, less negative-affect language and use more social-oriented language than low emotional intelligence individuals. Our findings provide insight into the role of personality on digital platforms and open the possibility of studying emotional intelligence in large and diverse real-life data. To support the use of online public text as a tool to research emotional intelligence, we provide an anonymized version of the data.
... Respondents to the present study's survey faced several practical, personal, and relational limitations, such as audio, video, and connection disruptions or the potential interruptions inherent to the less-private domestic setting on both sides, in line with Vallario [29]. Other challenges reported were related to providers' concerns about ensuring privacy and security protection and feeling adequately trained to use digital tools (software and hardware) for the clinical practice, which is in line with the findings of other studies [4,[43][44][45]. Moreover, professionals reported online sessions to be more tiring than those conducted in-person, especially due to the increased cognitive load imposed by interacting through a screen for extended periods and navigating difficulties in respecting personal times and private spaces [46]. ...
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed new challenges to clinical practice and delineated future directions for online interventions in psychological care. The present study aimed to explore Italian psychologists’ and psychotherapists’ experiences of online interventions during the pandemic, focusing on the strategies they used to develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with their patients. (2) Methods: Between February and July 2021, 368 Italian psychologists and/or psychotherapists completed an online survey. A mixed-methods analysis was conducted, using Jamovi to analyze quantitative data and ATLAS.ti 9 to analyze qualitative data. (3) Results: Of the participants, 62% had never delivered online interventions before the pandemic; though 95.4% were delivering online interventions at the time of the survey, many reported facing technical disruptions (77.1%) and having little confidence in the online setting (45.3%). Feeling present in online sessions—facilitated by emotional attunement, active listening, and conversational spontaneity—was reported as “very important” by 93.6%. (4) Conclusions: Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic allowed a great leap forward in the use of online interventions by Italian psychologists and psychotherapists. This period of upheaval generated not only a positive change in their attitudes toward and intention to use online interventions but also revealed associated technical and relational issues that must be properly addressed.
... Bei 9 % aller Todesfälle der 15 -29 Jährigen ist ein Suizid die Ursache und stellt damit in dieser Altersgruppe die zweithäufigste Todesursache dar. Die Lebenszeit-Prävalenzraten für Suizidversuche im Jugendalter liegen zudem international zwischen 3 und 9 % (Amichai-Hamburger, Klomek, Friedman, Zuckerman & Shani-Sherman, 2014;Cha et al., 2018). In einer deutschen Befragung haben 7 % der Mädchen und 4 % der Jungen von einem Suizidver-such in der Vorgeschichte berichtet (Straub, Keller, Sproeber, Koelch & Plener, 2015). ...
Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund. Suizid ist weltweit die zweithäufigste Todesursache bei jungen Menschen. Es scheint sinnvoll, speziell auf diese Zielgruppe zugeschnittene Angebote anzubieten. Fragestellung. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist, den von den Nutzenden wahrgenommenen Beratungserfolg eines Online-Peer-Suizidpräventionsprogramms zu ermitteln und zu prüfen, welche Merkmale mit dem Beratungserfolg zusammenhängen. Methode. Daten eines Online-Fragebogens wurden ausgewertet ( N = 318). Ergebnisse. Bei zwei Drittel der Befragten verminderte sich die Suizidalität. Wichtige Variablen zur Vorhersage der Veränderung der Suizidalität waren der Eindruck der Ratsuchenden, dass die Peers die persönlichen Anliegen verstehen und die Anregung zu einer Verhaltensänderung. Das Peerverhalten trug signifikant zur Vorhersage der subjektiven Nützlichkeit und der allgemeinen Situation bei. Schlussfolgerungen. Die Studie liefert positive Ergebnisse hinsichtlich der Evaluierung der Online-Suizidpräventions-Beratung. Da das Verstanden fühlen und das Peerverhalten im Zusammenhang mit dem Beratungserfolg steht, könnte der Peer-Ansatz und die damit einhergehende positive Beziehungserfahrung wichtig sein.
... al, to make online therapy more effective. 18 OST also allows children to be paired up with the therapist who speaks the same dialect as the child but resides far away from the later. A meta-analysis from Griner and Smith t shown that interventions targeted to a specific cultural group were four times more effective than interventions provided to groups consisting of clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds; and similarly interventions conducted in clients' native language were twice as effective. ...
Background:
Speech therapy is important for ideal functional outcome after cleft palate surgery. Nationwide lockdown due to outbreak of COVID-19 in Nepal restricted the ability of patients to travel to nearby outreach centers for regular speech therapy. The objectives were to assess the feasibility and challenges of conducting online speech therapy with postpalatoplasty children during COVID-19 pandemic; and evaluate the ways to overcome them.
Methods:
Patients with cleft palate surgery done at least 3 months prior were given online speech therapy. Feasibility, advantages and challenges of online speech therapy were evaluated through interviewing the guardians and speech therapy providers.
Results:
A total of 89 patients were included in the study. Only 11.2% had secondary palatine procedures. Almost all the children (97.8%) had face to face speech therapy prior to study period. Best use of time, use of audiovisual aid, no need to travel and rapid progress were the most commonly perceived strengths of online speech therapy. The most frequent challenges were internet connectivity, unclear voice, lack of direct interaction and unstable power supply. Recommended ways to improve online speech therapy were cited as better internet connectivity, having a fixed schedule and availing free or affordable Wifi.
Conclusions:
Despite the challenges, online speech therapy provided us with a way to reach out to the cleft palate children when face-to-face therapy was not possible due to COVID-19 pandemic. We see its role even during non-pandemic situations for the children who are unable to visit the speech therapy centers.
... Evidence suggests that OPIs are a legitimate and flexible alternative to traditional psychological interventions. Additionally, OPIs show significant advantages in terms of less time investment for both parties, higher mental health coverage, brief interventions that foster the patient's autonomy and represent lower economic costs (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Barak et al., 2008;Parikh & Huniewicz, 2015;Rochlen et al., 2004). ...
Telehealth strategies have become essential for responding to the sanitary emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, developing online psychological interventions (OPIs) that can treat and prevent psychological difficulties is gaining more relevance. This article describes an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) based OPI focused on repetitive negative thinking (RNT). This OPI is called Disentangled, Aware, and Committed (DAC) and represents an attempt to adapt previous RNT-focused ACT protocols to this format type. Study 1 evaluated content validity through the assessment of four experts in ACT regarding clarity, utility, pertinence, conceptual adjustment, and therapeutic goal fulfillment for each component of the DAC program. In Study 2, forty-one undergraduate clinical psychology trainees rated the components of the DAC program according to its clarity and perceived utility. These participants were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial that analyzed the efficacy of the DAC to prevent the usually observed increase in emotional symptoms and RNT among this population. Expert reviewers in Study 1 rated all DAC components as clear and useful for potential users, following a logical order, theoretically coherent with the ACT model, and successfully fulfilling its stated goals. In Study 2, the participants also rated the DAC components as clear and potentially useful for their lives. In conclusion, the DAC appears to be a feasible transdiagnostic OPI for treating and preventing emotional symptoms, which warrants further studies analyzing its efficacy.
... They were also surprised by the continued therapeutic sense of connection and efficacy. Findings in pre-COVID literature on e-therapy showed the endurance of therapeutic efficacy during voluntary self-selected teletherapy, as well as acceptance by both therapists and clients (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Mishna et al., 2012). Despite those previous findings, our respondents were adopting teletherapy under the duress of the pandemic, not voluntarily. ...
The therapeutic relationship (TR), including its therapeutic frame, is the foundation of the therapeutic endeavor. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid transition to videoconferencing for therapeutic encounters, we employed a cross-sectional exploratory survey with 1490 respondents to understand how practitioners adapted to the changes. In this secondary analysis focused on the TR, we analyze the clinicians’ (N = 448) spontaneous narratives about facets of the TR. Temporally, we focused on how these adaptations occurred during the initial part of the pandemic before vaccination was available and while the TR was still adapting to teletherapy videoconferencing under the duress of pandemic crises. We find three broad themes: (1) It is a “much more remote relationship”; (2) The "connection…remains surprisingly strong"; and (3) It is “energetically taxing.” Each reflects clinicians’ views of the TR as altered, but surprisingly resilient. Although grateful for the safety of virtual therapeutic encounters, clinicians mourned the loss of an embodied encounter, experienced depletion of energy beyond Zoom fatigue, and nonetheless recognized their clients’ and their own abilities to adapt.
... Therapeutically, the participating therapists noted the limited view of the client as a challenge; much information can be received from the physiology (e.g., posture, how they move their hands and feet, etc.), which is often excluded in online therapy. This type of information is particularly important when treating a client with severe mental health problems [43,44], and this is another area of challenge noted by the therapists. How appropriate online therapy is for severe mental health problems remains to be appraised, indicating a need for future research. ...
Online therapy has been increasingly utilised during the COVID-19 pandemic by many including working populations. However, few qualitative studies have explored how online therapy is ex-perienced in practice, and discussed its implications for those working clients. Semi-structured interviews attended by nine integrative psychotherapists practising in California, United States, were conducted. Thematic analysis of the transcripts identified three themes: i) ‘Positive experi-ences of online therapy’, ii) ‘Challenges experienced by therapists and clients in online therapy’, and iii) ‘Preparation and training for online therapy’. Online therapy was experienced as helpful, particularly in terms of mitigating against previous geographical and temporal barriers to up-take. However, due to technological disruptions and potential blurring of professional bounda-ries, online therapy may detract from the emotional salience of therapy, negatively impacting the therapeutic relationship and containment. Considering the positive experiences, participants ex-pected the demand for online therapy would continue to increase. Particularly in the occupational context, online therapy can offer intervention without jeopardising mental health shame. The findings provide preliminary qualitative evidence that online therapy can be a useful adjunct to traditional forms of face-to-face therapy. However, therapists require more explicit training in implementing online therapy. Results are discussed in particular regarding the utility of this therapy for working clients.
... Consistent with Johnson's EFT model, WhatsApp correspondence can contribute to positive communication and in times of conflict move the disagreement from gridlock to dialogue. Mobile phone platforms have proved useful by therapists in collecting information, specifically in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014). This study points to the potential inherent in WhatsApp for EFT, as it enables the couple to independently observe their relationship and home in on their emotions. ...
This article proposes that WhatsApp can offer insights into couples' relationships. Based on Gottman's therapy model, which mathematically analyzes marital conflicts, this study focuses on couples' WhatsApp correspondence and asks to what extent it reflects the offline relationships of Generation X. The research was conducted over a year using semi-structured interviews with 18 couples who have been in a relationship for at least 5 years. The couples described their discourse on WhatsApp and the dynamics of their relationship offline. The findings indicate that WhatsApp use mirrors offline relationships. The following four types of interaction were identified: (1) technical, (2) practical, (3) casual, and (4) emotional. In addition, the following three patterns of conflictual behavior that correspond with Gottman's distinctions were identified: (1) logical, (2) emotional, and (3) avoidant. The article cites WhatsApp's potential for behavioral observation and the possibility of using it to change relationship dynamics.
... Another survey-based study with 91 youth suggested [23] that a positive response was garnered from online support services especially during emergencies and crisis as it facilitates open communication and easy accessibility from 'anytime' and 'anywhere'. A Chinese study on the pandemic reported, online therapy and crisis interventions have provided support to health-care workers and individuals facing distress or mental health symptoms [24]. ...
Over the years, the domain of psychological therapy and counselling has significantly expanded and established different forums to provide mental health services. The use of virtual therapy for providing mental support to individuals has drastically increased by professionals over the internet through emails, chatting over voice, audio platforms or chat rooms. The world was exposed to certain triggers initiated due to the unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet therapy applications have helped alleviate mental health challenges and maximize benefits towards the psychological wellbeing of the society. However, evaluation of its efficiency in actually helping people during a crisis is important. The present study aims to (a) Evaluate online counselling services and its effectiveness in providing the necessary emotional support during the pandemic and (b) Understand perspective of trained experts and members on e-therapy platforms. Initially, the study carefully reviewed existing literature on virtual therapy. An online survey was designed to garner the opinions of over 100 mental health professionals about online counselling services. The results reported, about 72% of the experts would consider shifting to virtual platforms during difficult situations for their clients. This paper is particularly useful for mental health professionals evaluating the shift to online platforms for their clients. In the future, researchers could develop technology to enhance the process of e-therapy for the clients and the experts.
... With regard to the relevance of digital services for coping with life crises, research is only just beginning but has been gaining importance since the turn of the millennium and relates primarily to online and e-therapies, coaching or counselling (see Amichai-Hamburger, Klomek, Friedman, Zuckerman & Shani-Sherman, 2020;Cook & Doyle, 2002;Recupero & Rainey, 2006). Increasingly, social media are also establishing themselves as a field of research in terms of coping with crises (see Rasmussen & Ihlen, 2017). ...
Life crises can occur for many reasons and seem to be universal. Life crises are often experienced by those affected as a loss of control over their own lives and can lead to serious psychological and also physical problems. However, as has been shown in numerous studies, such an event can also prove to be a relevant resource for further individual development. The aim of this chapter is first to describe what was defined as a life crisis by the respondents in an international study (n = 39). Special connections which have arisen for the participants between a life crisis and a shame experience are highlighted. Since it is assumed that digitalisation can have far-reaching effects in this context, an analysis is offered regarding whether digital media played a relevant role in overcoming the life crisis and in what way. Gender-specific aspects of these experiences are examined in this chapter, while diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives are also taken into account.
... Los aspectos positivos de la intervención en línea están relacionados con mayor accesibilidad a los tratamientos (Hadjistavropoulos et al., 2016), reducción de costos y posibilidad de respuesta inmediata (García et al., 2019). La teleterapia es un excelente ejemplo de cómo se puede utilizar la internet como herramienta de empoderamiento (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014). Algunos autores (Botella Arbona et al., 2007;González-Peña et al., 2017) consideran que las TIC pueden ser de utilidad para mejorar los actuales tratamientos psicológicos, a partir de los buenos resultados obtenidos en las evaluaciones en términos de motivación y aceptación. ...
El desarrollo humano se vincula con la apropiación de herramientas materiales y simbólicas del entorno cultural, entre las que se encuentran las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación. Estas nuevas tecnologías se han incorporado a todos los ámbitos, incluida la psicología, proporcionando nuevas perspectivas de evaluación, prevención y tratamiento. La teleterapia consiste en la atención psicológica por medios digitales como teléfono fijo o móvil, correo electrónico, mensajes de texto, videoconferencia, aplicaciones móviles e Internet (sitios web, blogs, redes sociales). Sus principales beneficios son mayor accesibilidad, respuesta inmediata y reducción de costos, entre otros. Sin embargo, también implica riesgos vinculados con la confidencialidad de la información, la dificultad para el manejo de situaciones de crisis, y la posible pérdida de comunicación no verbal y rapport. Aunque existen datos de que los tratamientos por Internet constituyen una alternativa viable para la terapia presencial, es preciso recopilar más evidencia empírica y estudios comparativos. No obstante, la falta de constatación científica en una nueva área de práctica no necesariamente se traduce en ineficacia. La ausencia de protocolos regulatorios no prohíbe el ejercicio, pero apela a la responsabilidad de los/as profesionales para capacitarse y regirse por normas éticas. En definitiva, la teleterapia es un hecho, pero debe ampliar su recorrido. Afortunadamente para los/as psicólogos, no pretende desplazar los métodos tradicionales de intervención terapéutica, sino ofrecer una herramienta adicional para su práctica. Este trabajo de revisión bibliográfica pretende reunir las pautas técnicas y deontológicas que hasta el momento presentan mayor consenso científico internacional.
... Having a licensed health care professional to provide mental health services via channels like virtual reality, email, video conferencing, tele-conferencing or any combination of these is categorized as e-therapy [1]. Cyber-therapy, internet-based therapy, web-based therapy, computer-mediated interventions, and etherapy are ways to describe therapy or mental health services that are conducted via electronic channels [2]. A study by Hubley, Lynch, Schneck, Thomas and Shore [3], observed that patients who were administered therapy via tele-psychiatry, video-conferencing or other e-channels, recorded high levels of satisfaction. ...
... The use of different nomenclatures can hinder the systematization of research on the theme (Amichai-Hamburger, et. al., 2014;Crestana, 2015). (2013) proposed the generic term telepsychology to designate different psychological services through ...
Online psychotherapy was recognized by the Federal Council of Psychology Resolution n. 11/2018. With the official recognition of this practice, many professionals raised questions about its equivalence to face-to-face psychotherapy and the possible need of technical adaptations. Considering the lack of research on this theme, this study aimed to explore how psychodynamic/psychoanalytical psychotherapists perceive their own practice in online settings, including technical and relational aspects of the therapeutic process, in comparison to their experience in face-to-face treatments. This is a qualitative study with an exploratory approach. Eight psychologists responded to videoconference interviews. The interviews were audiotaped, fully transcribed, and analyzed by thematic analysis. Results were organized in two major themes (online psychotherapy practice and technique and psychodynamic process in online psychotherapy). Main results indicate online psychodynamic psychotherapy has many distinctive features (e.g. relying on quality of internet connection, fostering focal process, occurring in a more vulnerable setting, and eliciting a different pattern of communication) that require adaptation from therapist. Implication of findings to psychotherapy training and practice are discussed.
... Although couple therapy is effective, distressed couples frequently consult therapeutic help too late or not at all. Barriers to face-to-face therapy could be treatment costs, fear of being stigmatized, long waitlists and logistical concerns, such as the difficulty in scheduling appointments (e.g., Amichai-Hamburger et al.,2014). Internet-delivered interventions overcome some of these boundaries. ...
Objective
Although relationship distress is strongly associated with mental health problems, poorer social functioning and lower quality of life, only a minority of distressed couples engage in effective couples therapy. Common barriers are the financial burden, fear of being stigmatized, long waitlists and logistical concerns, such as the difficulty in scheduling appointments. Therefore, more accessible help for relationship distress is needed, such as internet-based interventions.
Method
This study evaluates the efficacy of the German web-based PaarBalance program, an 18-sessions online program for couples and individuals in an intimate relationship. Participants with relationship distress recruited via the internet had access to the unguided self-help program for twelve weeks. A total of 117 individuals (N = 60 participated as couples, N = 57 participated without a partner) were randomly assigned to begin the intervention immediately or to a 12-week waitlist control group. The primary outcome was relationship satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Results
The intervention group showed significant improvement in relationship satisfaction (Cohen's d =.77) compared with the waitlist control group. Small to medium effect sizes in favor of the intervention group, but no statistically significant differences were found regarding depression (d = .43) and anxiety (d = .45).
Conclusion
PaarBalance seems to be an effective self-guided intervention to improve relationship satisfaction in people with relationship problems.
... Both interventions in the present study will take place online. Such a delivery has several advantages over more traditional on-site interventions, including the increased potential to attract people who might otherwise not decide to enroll in mental health interventions because of the stigma associated with them [45], people with busy schedules, and resulting time constraints [46] and people who live in rural and remote areas [47]. Perhaps even more importantly, an increasing body of literature suggests that online CBT-based and mindfulness interventions can improve outcomes related to work stress and well-being and may even be as effective as conventional face-to-face training (e.g., [15,[48][49][50][51][52][53]). ...
Background
The changing landscape of the work environment, which often encompasses expectations of employees being continuously available, makes it difficult to disengage from work and recover. This can have a negative impact on employees’ well-being, resulting in burnout, depression and anxiety, among other difficulties. The current study will test the effectiveness of two different online interventions (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy; CBT and mindfulness-based stress reduction; MBSR) on employees’ psychological detachment, burnout and other variables related to general (e.g., life satisfaction) and work-specific (e.g., work engagement) well-being.
Methods/design
The study is designed as a randomized control trial with two intervention groups (i.e., CBT, MBSR) and a waitlist control group. Participants will be full-time employees from a wide range of organizations from Slovenia, who report moderate difficulties with psychological detachment from work and burnout and are not receiving any other form of treatment. The online interventions will encompass 12 sessions over 6 weeks (2 sessions per week); each session will include 1) an active audio-guided session and 2) home assignments, accompanied by handouts and worksheets. The study outcomes (i.e., psychological detachment, burnout, general and work-specific well-being), potential mechanisms (i.e., work-related maladaptive thinking patterns, mindfulness) and moderators (e.g., supervisor support for recovery) will be assessed immediately before and after the interventions (pre and post measurement) and 3 months after intervention completion (follow-up). Additionally, participants will fill out questionnaires for the assessment of the central mechanisms and study outcomes each week.
Discussion
We expect that the CBT-based intervention will lead to greater improvements in psychological detachment from work and burnout compared to the MBSR and the waitlist control group. Additionally, we expect that the CBT-based intervention will also lead to greater enhancement of both general and work-related well-being.
Trial registration
https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN98347361 [May 19, 2020].
... Second, it might diminish the caregiver's ability to provide empathy and warmth. Third, it may feel less binding for some patients could easily dropout from the treatment (Amichai-Hamburger, et al., 2014). Fourth, it raises practical and ethical dilemmas, especially when the therapeutic relationship is form via social media (rather than video-chats, such as Zoom or Skype). ...
The rising of social media has opened new opportunities for forming therapeutic relationships with youth at risk who have little faith in institutionalized interventions. The goal of this study is to examine whether and how youth care workers utilize social media communications for reaching out to detached adolescents and providing them emotional support. Qualitative in-depth interviews (N=17) were conducted with counselors, social workers, and clinical psychologists who work with youth at risk. A thematic analysis of the interviews revealed three principal psychosocial usages of social media: (1) Reaching out and maintaining reciprocal and meaningful therapeutic relationships with youth at risk over time; (2) Identifying risks and emotional distress; and (3) “stepping in” and providing psychosocial assistance, when needed. These beneficial practices are made possible through the high accessibility and the sense of secured mediation that characterize social media communication and that complement the psychosocial needs of youth at risk. Alongside these advantages, the analysis yielded several significant challenges in social media therapeutic relationships, including privacy dilemmas and blurring of authority and boundaries. Given that social media communication is a relatively new phenomenon, the applied psychosocial practices are shaped through a process of trial and error, intuitive decisions, and peer learning. Although the main conclusion from this study supports the notion that the advantages of social media therapeutic relationships with youth at risk outweigh their problematic aspects, future research is recommended to establish clear guidelines for youth caregivers who wish to integrate the new media in their daily psychosocial work.
... Barak, Hen, Boniel-Nissim, & Shapira, 2008;Cook & Doyle, 2002;Murphy, Mitchell, & Hallett, 2011;Rice & Love, 1987). Besides, it is worth noting that visual contact is not always appropriate for all tasks -for instance, in some cases it might be less comfortable for discussing embarrassing issues (Amichai-Hamburger, Klomek, Friedman, Zuckerman, & Shani-Sherman, 2014). ...
... Previous studies show that issues regarding participating in a behavioral intervention can include anxiety to talk about risk behavior, perceived stigma, feelings of shame, and privacy issues as major barriers to participating in the behavioral skills training (Gilliland et al., 2011;Kamarulzaman and Altice, 2015;Raifman et al., 2017). Certain studies suggest that online approaches (eHealth) can circumvent some of these barriers (Amichai-Hamburger et al., 2014;Connaughton and McCabe, 2017) and can be effective in reducing transmission risk behaviors among key populations (Johnson et al., 2008). These kinds of eHealth approaches might be able to reach patients in need who would otherwise not ask for help (Postel et al., 2008). ...
Unprotected sexual contact continues to be a main cause of HIV transmission and poses certain key populations at increased risk for HIV infection. One of the populations at high risk are men who have sex with men. A subset of MSM engages in chemsex, whereby consumption of illicit drugs is used to facilitate or enhance sexual activity. This practice can have several negative consequences, such as sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) and mental health problems (including compulsive sexual behavior, addiction, and mood disorders). In this article, we provide our perspective on the current situation that medical professionals dealing with MSM living with HIV often feel empty-handed in how to deal with these behavioral and psychological issues. Close collaboration between somatic and mental health professionals is key to address treatment needs of people living with HIV, regarding the negative consequences of chemsex and their overall quality of life. In this article, we discuss possibilities for psychological treatment, including behavioral skills training to improve impulse control and reduce compulsive sexual behaviors among MSM living with HIV who persistently engage in sexual transmission risk behavior, based on our experience with implementing such an intervention. Important barriers and facilitators for further implementation of behavioral interventions will be discussed. Reduction of HIV transmission risk behavior is needed to achieve the WHO aim to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030. We propose that close collaboration between somatic and mental health professionals and implementation of behavioral interventions for risk populations are key to achieve this goal.
Purpose
The globe has experienced a devastating COVID-19 pandemic, putting the planet under lockdown and causing social alienation. The near collapse of social and economic activities is disrupting the supply chain. Customer-required products were in low supply across the world. A slew of new digital firms springs up to fill the need during this time. This study aims to reach a holistic goal by better understanding customers' digitalisation behaviour. The first step is to review existing consumer digital psychology research to map this study’s current knowledge of the pandemic's early and late phases and the impact of digital businesses on consumer behaviour. Finally, it provides lawmakers with a future agenda for limiting the digital psychology of consumers and enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used the Scopus and Web of Science databases to extract records to follow the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement. The final 57 papers were applied after the screening process. The digital environment, psychological digitalisation and behavioural changes were recognised as three primary classes based on a comprehensive examination of the previous literature. This study identified possible difficulties in earlier literature: the scarcity of collaborative and transdisciplinary research on digital psychology, which various academics have emphasised in the past. On the other hand, these investigations were primarily conducted in the psychological surroundings of technology users.
Findings
According to this study, digital psychology has improved significantly during the pandemic and many new digital start-ups have arisen. This study also used digital research to create a framework for a pandemic strategic response plan to help minimise the current COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future outbreaks.
Originality/value
The study mapped existing literature on digital psychology alterations because of the novel COVID-19 outbreak.
Considering the emerging need to face the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health, social support, and access to health services, it became a critical issue to adapt to online group settings, and create new group interventions to face the developing distress during this time. The aim of the current study is to investigate the main findings on OPGI conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 until March 2022, with a particular focus on: a) the therapeutic group factors; b) what kind of OPGI works and for whom; c) settings and emerging dimensions. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review on scientific databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO) searching for studies published between March 2020 and March 2022. “Group intervention” or “group therapy” or “group treatment” crossed with “COVID-19” and synonymous, were used as keywords. Internet based intervention was used as an eligibility criteria during the full-text screening. A total of 1326 articles were identified, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria. Among all studies, with different participants and different orientations, data extracted supported psychological online group interventions as an effective approach to reducing psychological distress and increasing psychological resources in the interpersonal field. Our findings also showed that COVID-19 has led to new needs and issues, that require the investigation of new dimensions for online psychological interventions. Methodological and clinical implications will be discussed through a descriptive table related to setting characteristics. Recommendations are made for future research.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore the views and opinions of service users accessing remote therapy through a community forensic personality disorder service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative exploratory approach was adopted. Nine community forensic service users accessing virtual/telephone therapy through a community forensic mental health service were interviewed using semi-structed interviews. Data was analysed using Braun and Clarke (2006) thematic analysis techniques.
Findings
Analysis resulted in three overall themes: experience of communication in the therapeutic relationship; impacts of the change to remote working and making the best of what we have. A further seven subthemes were developed. A range of advantages and disadvantages to remote therapy were highlighted.
Research limitations/implications
This study was based on a small sample of service users accessing one community forensic service in England, and therefore caution should be taken when generalising the findings. All interviews were conducted remotely and thus may have only supported those who are able to engage in this way.
Practical implications
This paper has the potential to inform future remote therapy guidelines. Health services should consider keeping some elements of remote working and offering this as a choice to all service users.
Originality/value
This study is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first study that attempts to explore the experiences of individuals accessing remote therapy within a forensic population who have personality disorders or traits.
Tüm dünyada psikolojik destek arayışında olmak ve bu desteğe sahip olmak insani bir ihtiyaçtır. Psikolojik destek psikolojik danışmanlık, klinik ve tıbbi durumlarda hizmet veren uzmanlar tarafından sağlanır. Covid- 19 salgını ve sokağa çıkma kısıtlamaları insanların yaşamsal ve sosyal özgürlüklerini engellemiş, çeşitli kurallara uymaya zorlamış ve insanları baskı altına almıştır. Bu durum stres ve travmatik etki yaratmış olup ruh sağlığı bozukluklarının artmasına yol açmıştır. Dolayısıyla pandemi döneminde ruh sağlığı tedavi talepleri artmış ve ülkeler bu hizmetlere yönelik ihtiyaçları yüzyüze karşılamada zorlanmıştır (WHO, 2020). Teknolojik gelişmelerle birlikte, çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmanlık hizmetleri bu ihtiyaçları karşılayan yararlı bir hizmet olmuştur ve uygulayıcılara da iş fırsatları sunmaktadır. Çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmanlığın tüm dünyada farklı prosedürleri ve uygulamaları bulunmaktadır. Bu prosedürlere ve uygulamalara bağlı olarak, çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmanlık etik değerlendirmeleri ile bilgi edinme ve profesyonel meslek elemanlarının eğitim süreci, psikolojik danışma ve psikoloji topluluklarının açıklamalarında ve verdiği bilgilerde farklılaşabilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmanlık etik ve pratik farklılıkların ve benzerliklerin Türkiye ve Birleşik Krallıkta karşılaştırmasını yapmaktır. Bu doğrultuda çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmanlık mesleki yeterliklerin karşılaştırmalı incelenmesi hedeflenmektedir. Bu çalışma, bir derleme çalışması olarak tasarlanmıştır. Bu çalışmada amaçlar doğrultusunda İngiliz Psikoloji Birliği (BPS) ve İngiliz Psikolojik Danışma ve Psikoterapi Birliği (BACP) ile Türk Psikoloji Derneği ve Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Derneği'nin internet sitelerinin bilgilendirmelerinde yer alan çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmanlığın mesleki yeterlikleri, etik politikaları ve standartları incelenmiş ve karşılaştırmalı olarak derlenmiştir. Sonuçlar, her iki ülkede son birkaç yılda meydana gelen teknolojik değişikliklere dayanarak prosedürlerin farklılaştığını, ancak çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmanlık prosedürlerinin yüz yüze danışmanlık eğitimleriyle ilgili olduğu ortaya koymaktadır. Bu incelemeden elde edilen bulgular İngiltere'de ve Türkiye'de psikolojik danışman eğitimlerinin, teknolojik yetkinliklerin, çevrimiçi hizmet verme prosedürlerinin ne kadar farklı olduğunun altını çizmektedir. Genel olarak çevrimiçi danışma yürütme yeterliği edinme ve belgelendirme; gizlilik ve kayıtların saklanması prosedürleri ile sosyal medya kullanımı açısından karşılaştırmalı ihtiyaçlar ortaya konmuştur.
In recent years, digital media has become pervasive in modern cultures. The number of internet users is at an all-time high, not just because of laptops and PCs, but also because of smartphone penetration, which makes it simpler and more accessible to people of all ages. Digital psychology has recently become an essential tool for organizations and scholars to better understand client psychological behaviour. The current study focuses on the literature on digital psychology since the advent of online goods buying and selling. It's tough to accept abrupt changes in one’s manner of doing things. For this purpose, the Scopus database is selected to extract data on digital psychology. The keywords for this study used are digital psychology, and after a detailed screening process, the final of sixty articles is included in the review. In order to gather data on digital psychology, the Scopus database was used. The study keywords included “digital psychology”, and the final sixty papers are included in the review following a thorough screening procedure. For data selection and rejection, the methodological element adheres to the PRISMA declaration from 2015. Year basis, journal base, and most referenced part are all discussed in the description section. The writers classify the data based on their results, settings, and processes. Digital environment, psychology, and behaviour are three key areas in which the literature is classified.KeywordsDigital psychologyTechnologyDigitalizationConsumersSocial media
Many high-risk individuals do not use mental health services. This is a concern for mental health and suicide prevention efforts, and requires an examination of the role of decision-making style upon willingness to seek help. To consider whether defensive avoidance influenced willingness to engage with Professionals or online assistance, participants (N = 189) answered an online survey, completing the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire and WHOQOLBref. Participants were then asked their preferred source of assistance, and their subsequent behaviour (time, clicks) was tracked on a debrief page listing sources of assistance. Overall quality of life was used to determine risk. Multiple regression indicated that people with poorer quality of life had poorer decisional styles. A 2 × 4 Risk by Preferred Source of Assistance MANOVA found that: (1) people seeking online assistance were hypervigilant procrastinators; (2) self-sufficiency and an unwillingness to seek professional assistance by those at risk was linked to panic and confirmed behaviourally from the increased number of clicks on a debrief page. Decision making styles can influence quality of life, and help-seeking behaviors, and this has implications for outreach towards those with poor engagement with offline mental health services.
People with mental distress are increasingly turning to one-to-one synchronous communication websites to receive peer support from other members. Though some research has identified benefits and challenges of online peer-support, there is a limited understanding of how to best prepare and scaffold for untrained peer supporters as they attempt to become skillful in an online setting. We recruited 30 (15 pairs) participants to engage in an online support conversation about procrastination problems, gave one member of each pair minimal training in the principles and strategies of motivational interviewing, and used interviews and conversation transcripts to examine challenges novice helpers faced when providing support and learning new conversational skills. We presented the helpers with two conversation goals to achieve with the conversation: building understanding, and promoting readiness for change. The research identified the common strategies the helpers used to achieve these goals and the challenges they faced. We also discuss theoretical and design implications for platform designers to better scaffold this experience.
The delivery of psychotherapy and counselling through digital innovation has become an expanding medium, reaching many patients. Today, technological knowledge is crucial for every profession and sector, especially in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The aim of this study was to review and synthesise key literature on how technologically mediated therapy (TMT) can be used to address the challenges around mental health and well-being within low- and middle-income countries like Ghana.
This is a narrative literature review that analysed literature pertaining to mental health and well-being in Ghana. Two hundred and twenty-three (223) articles were consulted. Of these, 70 articles were retained to respond to the aim of the review. The selection and extraction of data were based on the following criteria—the quality of reportage, the robustness of study design and the reliability and validity of data collected.
Research shows that TMT offers an effective alternative approach in dealing with mental health and well-being challenges. Instead of the traditional face-to-face intervention, TMT has the capacity to reach a greater proportion of a population, ensure the dissemination of large amounts of health information and support the mental health workforce. These were chosen as key themes and discussed in line with key literature that addresses the review's objective.
In summary, TMT has the capacity to meet Ghana's mental health needs. Implementing the findings will require, amongst other things, the ethical responsibility of counsellors and psychotherapists to safeguard confidential information shared by patients.
Teknolojik gelişmelerle birlikte çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma hizmetlerinin yaygınlaşmaya başladığı görülmektedir. Bu araştırmanın amacı insanların yüz yüze ve çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmanlığa yönelik sahip oldukları bilgileri tespit etmek ve yüz yüze ve çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmanlık hizmeti arasındaki tercihlerinin hangi yönde olduğunu belirlemektir. Nitel bir araştırma modeli olan durum çalışmasının kullanıldığı bu araştırmanın çalışma grubunu yaşları 17-49 arasında değişen ve farklı meslek gruplarına ait (asker, güvenlik görevlisi, sekreter, şoför, memur, temizlik görevlisi, ev hanımı, lise-üniversite öğrencisi ve akademisyen) 25 katılımcı oluşturmaktadır. Katılımcıların 4’ü yüz yüze psikolojik danışma hizmeti alırken, 21 katılımcı ise yüz yüze psikolojik danışma hizmeti almamış, ayrıca katılımcıların hiçbiri çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma hizmetinden yararlanmamıştır. Katılımcıların çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma hizmetine ayırmak istedikleri zamanın yüz yüze psikolojik danışma hizmetine ayırmak istedikleri zamandan daha fazla olduğu görülmektedir. Çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma hizmeti almak isteyen 17 katılımcının en çok tercih ettikleri yöntemin video konferansı ve chat olduğu görülmektedir. Son olarak katılımcıların çoğunun etkili olma ve jest ve mimik gibi sözel olmayan tepkilerin varlığından dolayı yüz yüze psikolojik danışma hizmetini tercih ettiği ve az bir kısmının ise anonimlik ve ulaşılabilir olma özelliklerinden dolayı çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma hizmetini tercih ettikleri görülmektedir. Sonuçlar genel olarak incelendiğinde bireylerin çevrimiçi psikolojik danışma alma konusunda istekli oldukları, ekonomik yönden ve ulaşım açısından çevrimiçi psikolojik danışmayı daha kullanılabilir buldukları ifade edilebilir.
The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an online relational intimacy and sexual enhancement (iRISE) intervention for couples experiencing sexual difficulties following breast cancer (BC). The acceptability of iRISE was evaluated using a single‐arm, qualitative design, with 14 couples completing satisfaction surveys and posttreatment interviews. The intervention was found to be acceptable, as demonstrated by high satisfaction ratings and qualitative feedback regarding iRISE and its online delivery. Couples spoke about the helpfulness of iRISE and how the intervention improved their sexual relationship. The use of video conferencing (eTherapy) was widely accepted by participants, who highlighted several advantages of this modality. Overall, the results support the acceptability of this online psychosexual intervention for couples affected by BC. The empirical and theoretical basis for the design of iRISE along with findings from a qualitative analysis of couples’ experiences of the intervention's helpfulness to them is discussed.
Pedagoško savjetovanje“ obrađuje glavne teme iz savjetovanja koje provode pedagozi i ostali stručnjaci. Analiza se odnos savjetovanja , psihoterapije, usmjeravanja i coaching-a, različiti tipovi savjetovanja kao i poteškoće sa kojima se školski savjetnici (pedagozi ) susreću na globalnoj i lokalnoj razini.
The commercial availability of many real-life smart sensors, wearables, and mobile apps provides a valuable source of information about a wide range of human behavioral, physiological, and social markers that can be used to infer the user’s mental state and mood. However, there are currently no commercial digital products that integrate these psychosocial metrics with the real time measurement of neural activity. In particular, electroencephalography (EEG) is a well validated and highly sensitive neuroimaging method that yields robust markers of mood and affective processing, and has been widely used in mental health research for decades. The integration of wearable neuro-sensors into existing multimodal sensor arrays could hold great promise for deep digital neurophenotyping in the detection and personalized treatment of mood disorders. In this paper, we propose a multi-domain digital neurophenotyping model based on the socioecological model of health. The proposed model presents a holistic approach to digital mental health, leveraging recent neuroscientific advances, and could deliver highly personalized diagnoses and treatments. The technological and ethical challenges of this model are discussed.
The world in 21st century now is moving and developing at a fast rate which influences growth in variety of fields including the counselling field. As individuals are becoming more tech-savvy, and geographical distance no longer considered as an obstacle, counselling over the virtual environment is becoming a possible modality and alternative to traditional or face-to-face counselling. Although there are currently many counsellors who are offering online services, there is, however, a lack of reference or structure on how they are conducting the sessions ethically and effectively. Hence, this review paper serves to address the lack of studies conducted on the e-counselling practice guidelines, while identifying counselling process and skills that are used by online counsellors. This systematic literature review applied PRISMA method where Inclusion and Exclusion criteria process were used. The articles were retrieved from two databases, Scopus and Academic Search Complete, where finally a total 25 articles were identified and reviewed. The findings from this study showed that there are a number of counselling skills and counselling process used in face-to-face counselling which are incorporated into online setting, along with addition of other skills, techniques and process prevalent in distant communication. The findings and data found from this study are expected to be fully utilized by online practitioners and counsellors most particularly, and as a reference for other researchers to improve and conduct more thorough studies on counselling delivery and modalities.
Background
Paper introduces Conflict Analysis (CA), an online self-guided therapeutic assessment. CA combines a diagnostic self-report scale with narrative exercises and self-analytical tasks. CA automatically generates detailed diagnostic records and frameworks for changes.
Objective
To evaluate therapeutic and diagnostic benefits associated with CA over time.
Methods
This online study compared CA over 2 weeks on outcome measures predicting psychotherapy outcome. Novel scale measuring perceived diagnostic benefit and perceived therapeutic benefit was delivered at post and follow-up. Cohort (n = 59, average age = 35, 50% female) was either in therapy or interested to start therapy in near future.
Results
Repeated-measure ANOVAs suggest that scores significantly changed on measures predicting negative affect, depression, performance and appearance self-esteem, insight, and growth initiative. Agreement rates on items measuring perceived diagnostic and therapeutic benefits were at least 74.5% for both post and follow-up.
Conclusions
Evidence supports further exploration of CA as a self-guided diagnostic and therapeutic resource.
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Key points
• Results demonstrate feasibility and utility of online self-guided therapeutic assessment.
• Described model is associated with increased perceived diagnostic and therapeutic benefits.
• Described model illustrates therapeutic benefits over time.
• Results demonstrate that even self-guided assessment can have therapeutic implications.
Education is an important human activity, and a fundamental right of every human. There has been a continuous transformation of educational counseling methods and processes to improve them. However, research about the application of educational principles to long-distance counseling has not been available until now. This research aims to study the implementation of educational principles in the online counseling process with the Rasch model. The sample size of this study is 174 people, spread across Indonesia with varying demographics. The results of the study show that the application of educational principles in online counseling services significantly suppresses the problematic conditions of respondents. The study also examines how online counseling services serves as a quick help or first aid to problematic conditions experienced by clients. The implementation of the educational principles discussed in this study relates to the development of self-potential, self-control, personality development, independence development and development of self-intelligence and other skills.
This review provides an overview of the current state of the field of anonymity research with particular reference to the formal specification of anonymity as a security property.
A two-part quantitative and qualitative study of role players within a virtual game world examined their prevalence, practices, and identity formation. Drawing on unobtrusive behavioral data captured by the game, combined with a large survey and traditional ethnographic methods, the study found that role players both negotiate identity and use their time online as a moratorium for their offline lives.
Descriptive results showed that role players are a relatively small, but psychologically burdened subgroup. When examined from the theoretical perspectives of Goffman’s Self-Presentation theory, Huizenga’s Magic Circle, and Turkle’s early work on online identity formation, these players were seen as largely using virtual spaces as creative outlets and for socialization. The worlds also functioned as coping mechanisms for players frequently unable to gain acceptance, social connectivity or social support offline due to their personal situation, psychological profile, or their minority status.
Internet-based psychotherapeutic interventions have been used for more than a decade, but no comprehensive review and no extensive meta-analysis of their effectiveness have been conducted. We have collected all of the empirical articles published up to March 2006 (n = 64) that examine the effectiveness of online therapy of different forms and performed a meta-analysis of all the studies reported in them (n = 92). These studies involved a total of 9,764 clients who were treated through various Internet-based psychological interventions for a variety of problems, whose effectiveness was assessed by different types of measures. The overall mean weighted effect size was found to be 0.53 (medium effect), which is quite similar to the average effect size of traditional, face-to-face therapy. Next, we examined interacting effects of various possible relevant moderators of the effects of online therapy, including type of therapy (self-help web-based therapy versus online communication-based etherapy), type of outcome measure, time of measurement of outcome (post-therapy or follow-up), type of problem treated, therapeutic approach, and communication modality, among others. A comparison between face-to-face and Internet intervention as reported on in 14 of the studies revealed no differences in effectiveness. The findings of this meta-analysis, and review of additional Internet therapy studies not included in the meta-analysis, provide strong support for the adoption of online psychological interventions as a legitimate therapeutic activity and suggest several insights in regard to its application. Limitations of the findings and recommendations concerning Internet-based therapy and future research are discussed.
Research into psychosocial interventions (particularly cognitive-behavior therapies and social skills training) for social-communication deficits among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has proliferated over the past decade. While this research has provided some empirical support for the efficacy of these interventions, little work has begun to elucidate therapeutic mechanisms-the when, why, how, for whom, and under what conditions an intervention may produce change, identification of mechanisms underlying these effects should help advance ASD intervention research. This article describes methods for assessing such mechanisms (ie, mediators and moderators) and presents promising candidates for common mechanisms impacting treatment response: behavior modification, therapeutic relationship, social knowledge, social motivation, social information processing, executive functioning, and internalizing comorbidities. Finally, future directions are discussed as a program of psychosocial intervention research designed to identify predictors of individual differences in treatment response (including biomarkers), isolate active therapeutic ingredients, and promote dissemination of optimized interventions.
This article reports the results of 2 studies designed to test and revise the Multicultural Counseling Awareness Scale (J. G. Ponterotto et al., 1996). Collective results support the 2-factor extraction (Knowledge and Awareness) as the best fit model and provide initial indices of validity and internal consistency reliability for the newly titled Multicultural Counseling Knowledge and Awareness Scale.
Este artículo informa los resultados de 2 estudios diseñados para probar y revisar la Escala de Conciencia de Consejería Multicultural (J. G. Ponterotto et al., 1996). Los resultados colectivos sostienen la extracción de 2 factures (el Conocimiento y la Conciencia) como el mejor modelo y proporcionan los índices iniciales de validez y fiabilidad de la consistencia interna para la nuevamente titulada Escala de Conocimiento y Conciencia de Consejería Multicultural.
E-therapy is defined as a licensed mental health care professional providing mental health services via e-mail, video conferencing, virtual reality technology, chat technology, or any combination of these. The use of e-therapy has been rapidly expanding in the last two decades, with growing evidence suggesting that the provision of mental health services over the Internet is both clinically efficacious and cost effective. Yet there are still unanswered concerns about e-therapy, including whether it is possible to develop a successful therapeutic relationship over the Internet in the absence of nonverbal cues.
Our objective in this study was to systematically review the therapeutic relationship in e-therapy.
We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL through August 2011. Information on study methods and results was abstracted independently by the authors using a standardized form.
From the 840 reviewed studies, only 11 (1.3%) investigated the therapeutic relationship. The majority of the reviewed studies were focused on the therapeutic alliance-a central element of the therapeutic relationship. Although the results do not allow firm conclusions, they indicate that e-therapy seems to be at least equivalent to face-to-face therapy in terms of therapeutic alliance, and that there is a relationship between the therapeutic alliance and e-therapy outcome.
Overall, the current literature on the role of therapeutic relationship in e-therapy is scant, and much more research is needed to understand the therapeutic relationship in online environments.
We are in the midst of a technological revolution whereby, for the first time, researchers can link daily word use to a broad array of real-world behaviors. This article reviews several computerized text analysis methods and describes how Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) was created and validated. LIWC is a transparent text analysis program that counts words in psychologically meaningful categories. Empirical results using LIWC demonstrate its ability to detect meaning in a wide variety of experimental settings, including to show attentional focus, emotionality, social relationships, thinking styles, and individual differences.
Asperger's Syndrome (AS) is an autistic spectrum disorder characterised by normal to high IQ but with marked impairment in social skills. Successful social skills training appears to be best achieved either in situ or in role-play situations where users can explore different outcomes resulting from their social behaviour. Single user virtual environments (SVEs) provide an opportunity for users with AS to learn social interaction skills in a safe environment which they can visit as many times as they like.The use of game-like tasks can provide an incentive and can also be used to guide the user through progressive learning stages. Collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) allow several users to interact simultaneously within the virtual environment, each taking different perspectives or role-play characters. Within the AS interactive project a series of SVEs and CVEs have been developed in collaboration with users and professional groups with an overall aim of supporting social skills learning. Initial evaluation studies have been carried out which have been used to both inform and refine the design of these virtual environments (VEs) as well as giving an insight into the understanding and interpretation of these technologies by users with AS.
Male volunteers entered an immersive virtual reality that depicted a party, where they were approached by a lone virtual woman who initiated a conversation. The goal was to study how socially anxious and socially confident men would react to this event. Interest focused on whether the socially anxious participants would exhibit sustained anxiety during the conversation or whether this would diminish over time, and differ from the responses of the more socially confident men.
The scenario was a party with five virtual characters, four sitting at a distance from the participant and talking amongst themselves and one lone woman standing closer. The woman approached the participant, introduced herself and initiated a conversation that was first about mundane matters and then became more personal and intimate. Participants were men who were either relatively socially confident (18) or socially anxious in their relationships with women (18). A second experimental factor was whether or not the other four characters occasionally looked towards the participant. There was a post-trial questionnaire about social anxiety in relation to the experience, and skin conductance and ECG physiological measures were recorded. Our expectation was that the socially anxious participants would show greater anxiety throughout.
Compared to baseline readings both socially confident and socially anxious groups on average showed signs of significantly increased stress at the initial approach of the virtual woman. The stress then diminished once the conversation entered into the mundane phase and then did not significantly change. Comparing pre- and post-questionnaire anxiety scores there was no change for the more confident participants but a significant decrease in average score amongst the anxious group. The methodology of placing socially anxious participants in a virtual reality where they can gain experience of how to act in a stressful situation promises a novel way forward for treating social anxiety.
This article focuses on the concept of empowerment and the ways in which the Internet is being utilized as an empowering tool. This analysis ranges from the personal to the global levels and the consequences of that empowerment are also discussed. We propose a four-level model that serves to explain what we term E-empowerment and the effects that can be observed at each of the four levels, ranging from (1) the personal; (2) the interpersonal; (3) group; and (4) citizenship. The potential for future development of E-empowerment is also discussed.
Public speaking anxiety (PSA) is a common social phobia. Although cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice, difficulties arise with both in vivo and in vitro exposure (lack of therapist control, patient's inability to imagine, self-flooding, and a lack of confidentiality resulting from public exposure). Virtual reality CBT (VRCBT) enables a high degree of therapist control, thus overcoming these difficulties. In a previous publication, the authors reported on their findings that VRCBT (n = 28) and CBT (n = 30) groups were significantly more effective than a wait-list control (WLC; n = 30) group in anxiety reduction on four of five anxiety measures as well as on participant's self-rating of anxiety during a behavioral task. No significant differences were found between VRCBT and CBT. However, twice as many clients dropped out of CBT (15) than from VRCBT (6). Results demonstrated that VRCBT is an effective and brief treatment regimen, equal to CBT. This brief report examined durability of these changes. They found that both VRCBT (25) and CBT (24) groups maintained their improvement from post treatment to follow-up, on all five measures. In addition, they found that the CBT group continued to improve from post treatment to follow-up on Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) fear. Thus, treatment gains were maintained at a 1-year follow-up.
Mobile phone sensors can be used to develop context-aware systems that automatically detect when patients require assistance. Mobile phones can also provide ecological momentary interventions that deliver tailored assistance during problematic situations. However, such approaches have not yet been used to treat major depressive disorder.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the technical feasibility, functional reliability, and patient satisfaction with Mobilyze!, a mobile phone- and Internet-based intervention including ecological momentary intervention and context sensing.
We developed a mobile phone application and supporting architecture, in which machine learning models (ie, learners) predicted patients' mood, emotions, cognitive/motivational states, activities, environmental context, and social context based on at least 38 concurrent phone sensor values (eg, global positioning system, ambient light, recent calls). The website included feedback graphs illustrating correlations between patients' self-reported states, as well as didactics and tools teaching patients behavioral activation concepts. Brief telephone calls and emails with a clinician were used to promote adherence. We enrolled 8 adults with major depressive disorder in a single-arm pilot study to receive Mobilyze! and complete clinical assessments for 8 weeks.
Promising accuracy rates (60% to 91%) were achieved by learners predicting categorical contextual states (eg, location). For states rated on scales (eg, mood), predictive capability was poor. Participants were satisfied with the phone application and improved significantly on self-reported depressive symptoms (beta(week) = -.82, P < .001, per-protocol Cohen d = 3.43) and interview measures of depressive symptoms (beta(week) = -.81, P < .001, per-protocol Cohen d = 3.55). Participants also became less likely to meet criteria for major depressive disorder diagnosis (b(week) = -.65, P = .03, per-protocol remission rate = 85.71%). Comorbid anxiety symptoms also decreased (beta(week) = -.71, P < .001, per-protocol Cohen d = 2.58).
Mobilyze! is a scalable, feasible intervention with preliminary evidence of efficacy. To our knowledge, it is the first ecological momentary intervention for unipolar depression, as well as one of the first attempts to use context sensing to identify mental health-related states. Several lessons learned regarding technical functionality, data mining, and software development process are discussed.
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01107041; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01107041 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/60CVjPH0n).
Obesity and eating disorders are usually considered unrelated problems with different causes. However, various studies identify unhealthful weight-control behaviors (fasting, vomiting, or laxative abuse), induced by a negative experience of the body, as the common antecedents of both obesity and eating disorders. But how might negative body image—common to most adolescents, not only to medical patients—be behind the development of obesity and eating disorders?
In this paper, I review the “allocentric lock theory” of negative body image as the possible antecedent of both obesity and eating disorders.
Evidence from psychology and neuroscience indicates that our bodily experience involves the integration of different sensory inputs within two different reference frames: egocentric (first-person experience) and allocentric (third-person experience). Even though functional relations between these two frames are usually limited, they influence each other during the interaction between long- and short-term memory processes in spatial cognition. If this process is impaired either through exogenous (e.g., stress) or endogenous causes, the egocentric sensory inputs are unable to update the contents of the stored allocentric representation of the body. In other words, these patients are locked in an allocentric (observer view) negative image of their body, which their sensory inputs are no longer able to update even after a demanding diet and a significant weight loss. This article discusses the possible role of virtual reality in addressing this problem within an integrated treatment approach based on the allocentric lock theory.
Background:
Body change illusions have been of great interest in recent years for the understanding of how the brain represents the body. Appropriate multisensory stimulation can induce an illusion of ownership over a rubber or virtual arm, simple types of out-of-the-body experiences, and even ownership with respect to an alternate whole body. Here we use immersive virtual reality to investigate whether the illusion of a dramatic increase in belly size can be induced in males through (a) first person perspective position (b) synchronous visual-motor correlation between real and virtual arm movements, and (c) self-induced synchronous visual-tactile stimulation in the stomach area.
Methodology:
Twenty two participants entered into a virtual reality (VR) delivered through a stereo head-tracked wide field-of-view head-mounted display. They saw from a first person perspective a virtual body substituting their own that had an inflated belly. For four minutes they repeatedly prodded their real belly with a rod that had a virtual counterpart that they saw in the VR. There was a synchronous condition where their prodding movements were synchronous with what they felt and saw and an asynchronous condition where this was not the case. The experiment was repeated twice for each participant in counter-balanced order. Responses were measured by questionnaire, and also a comparison of before and after self-estimates of belly size produced by direct visual manipulation of the virtual body seen from the first person perspective.
Conclusions:
The results show that first person perspective of a virtual body that substitutes for the own body in virtual reality, together with synchronous multisensory stimulation can temporarily produce changes in body representation towards the larger belly size. This was demonstrated by (a) questionnaire results, (b) the difference between the self-estimated belly size, judged from a first person perspective, after and before the experimental manipulation, and (c) significant positive correlations between these two measures. We discuss this result in the general context of body ownership illusions, and suggest applications including treatment for body size distortion illnesses.
Evidence is growing that two modalities of computer-based exposure therapies--virtual reality and computer-aided psychotherapy--are effective in treating anxiety disorders, including fear of flying. However, they have not yet been directly compared. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of three computer-based exposure treatments for fear of flying: virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET), computer-aided exposure with a therapist's (CAE-T) assistance throughout exposure sessions, and self-administered computer-aided exposure (CAE-SA). A total of 60 participants with flying phobia were randomly assigned to VRET, CAE-T, or CAE-SA. Results indicate that the three interventions were effective in reducing fear of flying at posttreatment and at 1-year follow-up; furthermore, there were no significant differences between them in any of the outcome measure. Large within-group effect sizes were found for all three treatment conditions at both posttreatment and at follow-up. The results suggest that therapist involvement might be minimized during computer-based treatments and that CAE can be as effective as VRET in reducing fear of flying.
Background:
Altering the normal association between touch and its visual correlate can result in the illusory perception of a fake limb as part of our own body. Thus, when touch is seen to be applied to a rubber hand while felt synchronously on the corresponding hidden real hand, an illusion of ownership of the rubber hand usually occurs. The illusion has also been demonstrated using visuomotor correlation between the movements of the hidden real hand and the seen fake hand. This type of paradigm has been used with respect to the whole body generating out-of-the-body and body substitution illusions. However, such studies have only ever manipulated a single factor and although they used a form of virtual reality have not exploited the power of immersive virtual reality (IVR) to produce radical transformations in body ownership.
Principal findings:
Here we show that a first person perspective of a life-sized virtual human female body that appears to substitute the male subjects' own bodies was sufficient to generate a body transfer illusion. This was demonstrated subjectively by questionnaire and physiologically through heart-rate deceleration in response to a threat to the virtual body. This finding is in contrast to earlier experimental studies that assume visuotactile synchrony to be the critical contributory factor in ownership illusions. Our finding was possible because IVR allowed us to use a novel experimental design for this type of problem with three independent binary factors: (i) perspective position (first or third), (ii) synchronous or asynchronous mirror reflections and (iii) synchrony or asynchrony between felt and seen touch.
Conclusions:
The results support the notion that bottom-up perceptual mechanisms can temporarily override top down knowledge resulting in a radical illusion of transfer of body ownership. The research also illustrates immersive virtual reality as a powerful tool in the study of body representation and experience, since it supports experimental manipulations that would otherwise be infeasible, with the technology being mature enough to represent human bodies and their motion.
Emotional awareness and self-regulation are important skills for improving mental health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cognitive behavioral therapy can teach these skills but is not widely available.
This exploratory study examined the potential of mobile phone technologies to broaden access to cognitive behavioral therapy techniques and to provide in-the-moment support.
We developed a mobile phone application with touch screen scales for mood reporting and therapeutic exercises for cognitive reappraisal (ie, examination of maladaptive interpretations) and physical relaxation. The application was deployed in a one-month field study with eight individuals who had reported significant stress during an employee health assessment. Participants were prompted via their mobile phones to report their moods several times a day on a Mood Map-a translation of the circumplex model of emotion-and a series of single-dimension mood scales. Using the prototype, participants could also activate mobile therapies as needed. During weekly open-ended interviews, participants discussed their use of the device and responded to longitudinal views of their data. Analyses included a thematic review of interview narratives, assessment of mood changes over the course of the study and the diurnal cycle, and interrogation of this mobile data based on stressful incidents reported in interviews.
Five case studies illustrate participants' use of the mobile phone application to increase self-awareness and to cope with stress. One example is a participant who had been coping with longstanding marital conflict. After reflecting on his mood data, particularly a drop in energy each evening, the participant began practicing relaxation therapies on the phone before entering his house, applying cognitive reappraisal techniques to cope with stressful family interactions, and talking more openly with his wife. His mean anger, anxiety and sadness ratings all were lower in the second half of the field study than in the first (P </= .01 for all three scales). Similar changes were observed among other participants as they used the application to negotiate bureaucratic frustrations, work tensions and personal relationships. Participants appeared to understand the mood scales developed for this experience sampling application and responded to them in a way that was generally consistent with self-reflection in weekly interviews. Interview accounts of mood changes, associated with diurnal cycles, personal improvement over the course of the study, and stressful episodes, could be seen in the experience sampling data. Discrepancies between interview and experience-sampling data highlighted the ways that individuals responded to the two forms of inquiry and how they calibrated mood ratings over the course of the study.
Participants quickly grasped the Mood Mapping and therapeutic concepts, and applied them creatively in order to help themselves and empathize with others. Applications developed for mobile phones hold promise for delivering state-of-the-art psychotherapies in a nonstigmatizing fashion to many people who otherwise would not have access to therapy.
Computerized and, more recently, Internet-based treatments for depression have been developed and tested in controlled trials. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the effects of these treatments and investigate characteristics of studies that may be related to the effects. In particular, the authors were interested in the role of personal support when completing a computerized treatment. Following a literature search and coding, the authors included 12 studies, with a total of 2446 participants. Ten of the 12 studies were delivered via the Internet. The mean effect size of the 15 comparisons between Internet-based and other computerized psychological treatments vs. control groups at posttest was d = 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29-0.54). However, this estimate was moderated by a significant difference between supported (d = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.45-0.77) and unsupported (d = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14-0.35) treatments. The authors conclude that although more studies are needed, Internet and other computerized treatments hold promise as potentially evidence-based treatments of depression.
Computer-aided psychotherapy (CP) is said to (1) be as effective as face-to-face psychotherapy, while requiring less therapist time, for anxiety disorder sufferers, (2) speed access to care, and (3) save traveling time. CP may be delivered on stand-alone or Internet-linked computers, palmtop computers, phone-interactive voice response, DVDs, and cell phones. The authors performed a meta-analysis of 23 randomised controlled studies (RCTs) that compared CP with non-CP in anxiety disorders: phobias, n = 10; panic disorder/agoraphobia, n = 9; PTSD, n = 3; obsessive-compulsive disorder, n = 1. Overall mean effect size of CP compared with non-CP was 1.08 (95% confidence interval: 0.84-1.32). CP and face-to-face psychotherapy did not differ significantly from each other (13 comparisons, d = -0.06). Much caution is needed when interpreting the findings indicating that outcome was unrelated to type of disorder, type of comparison group, mode of CP delivery (Internet, stand-alone PC, palmtop), and recency of the CP system and that effect size decreased when more therapist time was replaced by the computer. Because CP as a whole was as effective as face-to-face psychotherapy, certain forms of CP deserve to be integrated into routine practice.
We discuss three experiments that investigate how virtual limbs and bodies can come to feel like real limbs and bodies. The first experiment shows that an illusion of ownership of a virtual arm appearing to project out of a person's shoulder can be produced by tactile stimulation on a person's hidden real hand and synchronous stimulation on the seen virtual hand. The second shows that the illusion can be produced by synchronous movement of the person's hidden real hand and a virtual hand. The third shows that a weaker form of the illusion can be produced when a brain-computer interface is employed to move the virtual hand by means of motor imagery without any tactile stimulation. We discuss related studies that indicate that the ownership illusion may be generated for an entire body. This has important implications for the scientific understanding of body ownership and several practical applications.
The Internet is a worldwide decentralized network of computers. It started as part of the US army network and progressed to become an academic information network, and then, as it is today, a global, open communication network that affects almost every aspect of people's lives (Bargh and McKenna, 2004; Ellerman, 2007; Haythornthwaite and Hagar, 2004). Initially, the number of Internet users was small; however, the number of users is continually expanding and is estimated at more than one billion people today. Another major change has come about through the ease with which the Internet may be accessed and the number of different ways this could be done. Early on, the Internet could only be accessed through a traditional, desktop computer. Today, however, people may enter cyberspace using a portable computer, cell phone, or a pocket PC, with the result that the Internet can accompany them wherever they are. In fact, the Internet has integrated so well into people's lives that, for many, it is very difficult to imagine life without it; they receive information, communicate with others, do their shopping, plan their next trip, take part in a virtual work team, and play games in a virtual community, to mention just a few common activities. The advent of the Internet was initially regarded by many scholars as a dubious development; for example, a longitudinal study conducted by Kraut and his colleagues linked Internet use with loss of social contact, depression, and loneliness (Kraut et al., 1998).
Video games have found their way into the clinical care of youth in most medical fields, and academic interest in their use is increasing steadily. The popularity of video games among youth may qualify them as a useful tool in psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Limited literature on use of video games in mental health care suggests that they can help young patients become more cooperative and enthusiastic about psychotherapy. Recent experience suggests that video games may facilitate therapeutic relationships, complement the psychological assessment of youth by evaluating cognitive skills, and elaborate and clarify conflicts during the therapy process. Concerns about video game content, perceived effects on youth, and lack of familiarity with this medium may form a barrier in their use in therapy offices. Further research on the benefits of video game use in psychotherapy, including patient characteristics that may moderate outcomes, is needed. Finally, future collaborations between clinicians and video game developers may produce specific games to be used in psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)
The ubiquitous presence of the Internet is changing every aspect of our lives. Although psychoanalytic writers have begun to address its impact on patients' lives and analysts' practices, they have not yet explored its more profound effects on how members of the profession have conceptualized mind and behavior. In this brief commentary, I look at the Internet from the perspective of historical change as analysts' analogical experiences have become increasingly digitalized, previously through speech and writing. I describe the effects of this most recent (postscript) revolution on conceptual distinctions such as reality and fantasy, normalcy and pathology, and on core concepts such as a unitary sense of self and repression. Effects of the new zeitgeist already manifest in the profession are described: for example, emphases on multiple theoretical perspectives, on multiple selves and constructed identities, on disavowal and dissociation, and on the interpersonal and interactive relationship in treatment. I concluded that members of the profession need to question whether their basic assumptions about mind, brain, and behavior, forged in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, still meet the challenges of the twenty-first century's Internet age.
Background and aim: Online counselling, as a psychotherapeutic approach, provokes debate amongst practitioners and researchers concerning its efficacy and validity. This reflexive study extends existing research into the nature of the online counselling relationship when it is conducted asynchronously (by email) and explores the possibility this approach may facilitate both online and face-to-face therapeutic engagement. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted electronically with ten former email counselling clients of a university counselling service and six counsellors delivering email counselling in other higher education settings, to explore, in depth, their experiences of the online therapeutic relationship and its impact on the counselling process and outcomes. These were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings: Four areas of focus emerged relating to: (1) the importance of the structure and processes involved; (2) their impact on thinking and feeling; (3) their impact on self and relationships (within and outside counselling), and (4) changes that followed email counselling. Having ‘time to think’ within the asynchronous exchanges, the anonymity and disinhibition afforded by the online medium, the creation of transitional space and the rich use of metaphor, visualisation and imagery all contributed to a sense of empowerment and relational depth for individuals who might have otherwise avoided seeking help. This led to positive change in many cases and for some, facilitated subsequent face-to-face counselling. Implications: The findings support the provision of counselling and therapy online and particularly its integration within existing face-to-face services.
This descriptive study explored text generation speeds, recognition accuracy, and participants' perceptions of the advantages/disadvantages of using discrete utterance speech recognition software. Six participants (ages 19 to 35) with physical disabilities and intelligible speech were interviewed about their experiences using their speech recognition software. Using this software on their home computers, the participants completed five dictation tasks. Average individual dictation speeds ranged from 9 to 15 words per minute and average recognition accuracy ranged from 62 to 84%. The use of formatting and correction commands resulted in an average of two utterances being required to generate each dictation word. Participants found that recognition accuracy was not acceptable and that their speech recognition software was appropriate for use with word processors but had limited use with other applications. This study found that discrete utterance speech recognition can be effective for people who cannot use a keyboard to write. However, the slow speeds of text generation achieved by the participants suggest that people who can use a keyboard to some extent (e.g., slow typists) may not be able to increase their speed by using discrete utterance speech recognition software. The advantages and disadvantages of discrete products that are also relevant to continuous products are discussed.
The Internet is a modern communication technology which is able to create a comprehensive environment. Here, surfers may carry out a variety of social activities, for example, joining a support group or interacting with friends or with people chosen at random. Although millions of people around the world communicate with one another every day, surfing is an individual experience and, therefore, any attempt to understand behavior on the net must involve an examination of the personality of the surfer. Our personality is the source of our emotions, cognition, and behavior. Its structure has been compared to that of an enormous iceberg, of which only the tip is visible above the water level and the rest of its huge mass is hidden beneath. In a similar way, we know and understand only a small part of our personality; most of it remains unrevealed. Interaction over the Internet, with its anonymity, high degree of control, and the ability to find similar others, creates a unique protective environment that encourages people to express themselves more freely than they would in a regular interaction. This may be especially relevant to people who are socially inhibited and so find difficulty in expressing themselves. They may feel that it is only via the Internet that they can communicate effectively. In some cases, this may lead them to give their life in cyberspace precedence over their real life. Thus, the secure Internet environment may have a direct impact on their personality, and it is on this that our chapter will focus. This chapter is divided into four main parts. The first focuses on the issue of interaction between personality and Internet use. The second will discuss the expression of identity over the Internet. In the third part, we move on to discuss two negative social phenomena that are associated with Internet use— loneliness and addiction; and the closing section focuses on new directions in which the Internet can be utilized as a tool for the improvement of human well-being.
Teleanalysis-remote psychoanalysis by telephone, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), or videoteleconference (VTC)-has been thought of as a distortion of the frame that cannot support authentic analytic process. Yet it can augment continuity, permit optimum frequency of analytic sessions for in-depth analytic work, and enable outreach to analysands in areas far from specialized psychoanalytic centers. Theoretical arguments against teleanalysis are presented and countered and its advantages and disadvantages discussed. Vignettes of analytic process from teleanalytic sessions are presented, and indications, contraindications, and ethical concerns are addressed. The aim is to provide material from which to judge the authenticity of analytic process supported by technology.
The Internet offers a new method of delivering psychological interventions to consumers. Our understanding of how these interventions can be used for the prevention, treatment, and relapse prevention of psychological disorders is in its infancy. The features that are available for use with Internet-delivered interventions are described and exemplified with examples from interventions for body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Future evolution of these interventions is also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
This article identifies some of the ethical controversies surrounding the use of online therapy conducted via e-mail, chat rooms, or interactive video and identifies practical solutions for ethical dilemmas. Consensus on the subject is hard to find, and although many authors and organizations have offered their opinions, this has led to such variation in advice that psychologists considering expanding their practice to include online therapy would certainly be confused. This article is the product of an extensive literature review on the ethics of online therapy and seeks to operationalize what the field appears to agree are the major ethical issues. A set of practice suggestions based on the work of various authors and organizations are proposed rather than ethical standards or guidelines. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Play therapy involves interpreting the play activities of children to promote abreaction, insight, and/or corrective emotional experience. Because much of a child's play involves repetition, it seems logical that some forms of child psychotherapy might incorporate techniques involving repetition. Psychotherapy that includes role playing (RP) allows the child patient to gain mastery over difficult events and disturbing thought and affects. RP, including role reversal, gives the child psychotherapist an opportunity to view how a child construes the world and how the child is treated by others, and insight into the quality of those interactions. An example of the use of RP with an angry 9-yr-old child is presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
In the decade following the attack on the World Trade Center, over 2.3 million American military personnel were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Lengthy tours of duty and multiple re-deployments were characteristic of these operations. Research findings demonstrate that prolonged exposure to combat increases the risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study was a randomized controlled clinical trial designed to assess the effectiveness of a novel intervention to treat combat-related PTSD in returning Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) warfighters. A cognitive behavior treatment approach augmented with virtual reality exposure therapy (VRE) was developed, and administered for 10 treatment sessions over 5 weeks. Comparisons with a control group receiving minimal attention (MA) for 5 weeks revealed that the VRE group had significant reductions in the avoidance/numbing symptoms on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). The VRE group also had significant reductions in guilt at post-treatment compared to the control group.
Cultural competency in the delivery of mental health services has gained considerable momentum. This momentum has been accompanied by questions about the meaning, usefulness, and precision of cultural competency. The author argues that cultural competency is composed of general processes (scientific mindedness, dynamic sizing, and culture-specific skills), as well as a series of concrete and trainable strategies. The incorporation of these processes and strategies into treatment can improve treatment outcomes with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Illusions have historically been of great use to psychology for what they can reveal about perceptual processes. We report here an illusion in which tactile sensations are referred to an alien limb. The effect reveals a three-way interaction between vision, touch and proprioception, and may supply evidence concerning the basis of bodily self-identification.
Virtual environments, such as online games and web-based chat rooms, increasingly allow us to alter our digital self-representations dramatically and easily. But as we change our self-representations, do our self-representations change our behavior in turn? In 2 experimental studies, we explore the hypothesis that an individual’s behavior conforms to their digital self-representation independent of how others perceive them—a process we term the Proteus Effect. In the first study, participants assigned to more attractive avatars in immersive virtual environments were more intimate with confederates in a self-disclosure and interpersonal distance task than participants assigned to less attractive avatars. In our second study, participants assigned taller avatars behaved more confidently in a negotiation task than participants assigned shorter avatars. We discuss the implications of the Proteus Effect with regards to social interactions in online environments.
In this paper we present a multimodal approach for the recognition of eight emotions. Our approach integrates information
from facial expressions, body movement and gestures and speech. We trained and tested a model with a Bayesian classifier,
using a multimodal corpus with eight emotions and ten subjects. Firstly, individual classifiers were trained for each modality.
Next, data were fused at the feature level and the decision level. Fusing the multimodal data resulted in a large increase
in the recognition rates in comparison with the unimodal systems: the multimodal approach gave an improvement of more than
10% when compared to the most successful unimodal system. Further, the fusion performed at the feature level provided better
results than the one performed at the decision level.