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Computer-Aided Psychotherapy Technologies

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Mental Health Practice in a Digital World

Part of the book series: Health Informatics ((HI))

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Abstract

Computer aided psychotherapy addresses the many barriers of access to evidence-based psychotherapy. Programs are either completely computer-based delivered via the Internet or a stand-alone program, or they may be combined with intervention by a therapist. Telepsychiatry is another popular method for delivery of psychotherapy. Self-guided computerized treatment programs have the advantage of translation into several languages, eliminate the barriers of appointment time and location, and offer more anonymity to patients. The majority of self-guided programs utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Studies have demonstrated that these programs result in significant reduction in anxiety and mood symptoms. Self-guided substance use treatment uses motivational interventions to decrease quantity and frequency of drinking. Computer-assisted treatment programs incorporate therapist interventions to clarify skills or tailor treatment approaches. These programs have been effective in treating anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and mood disorders. Virtual reality therapy has been used in exposure therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, and anxiety disorders. Telepsychiatry is an effective delivery mechanism for CBT, and has demonstrated effective treatment of anxiety disorders, with the advantage of facilitating clinician access.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Rothman Center for Neuropsychiatry, University of South Florida, 880 6th Street South, Suite 460, 7523, St. Petersburg, 33701, FL, USA

    Marni L. Jacob Ph.D. & Eric A. Storch Ph.D.

  2. Rogers Behavioral Health, Tampa Bay, FL, USA

    Eric A. Storch Ph.D.

  3. All Children’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine, St. Petersburg, FL, USA

    Eric A. Storch Ph.D.

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  1. Marni L. Jacob Ph.D.
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  2. Eric A. Storch Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Marni L. Jacob Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. BayCare Medical Group, Behavioral Health, BayCare Health System, Clearwater, Florida, USA

    Naakesh A. Dewan

  2. Health Sciences, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA

    John S. Luo

  3. Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

    Nancy M. Lorenzi

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Jacob, M.L., Storch, E.A. (2015). Computer-Aided Psychotherapy Technologies. In: Dewan, N., Luo, J., Lorenzi, N. (eds) Mental Health Practice in a Digital World. Health Informatics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14109-1_4

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