This week we focused on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in web-based interventions. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the leading approaches to psychotherapy. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are constantly interacting and influencing one another. CBT helps patients manage issues by allowing them recognize then alter the way they think and behave. It also helps change negative ways of thinking overgeneralizing and blaming one’s self for things that aren't their fault.
Computerized CBT is becoming more widely used and has been shown to help treat mental health problems. Specifically they have been seen to significantly reduce anxiety and depression. There are many advantages to computerized CBT including its increased availability, anonymity, accessibility, and flexibility. There are many computerized CBT programs being developed. For my article presentation, I researched a specific computerized CBT program called Camp Cope-A-Lot. This intervention utilizes CD software to deliver activities and education combined with CBT to treat children with anxiety. This program integrates sessions completed by the child and then sessions that are guided by a therapist. I believe this is a great way to combine new technological treatment methods with traditional methods. These types of programs have been shown to been effective in creating great gains in reducing childhood anxiety. I believe as a clinician one day, I would integrate these types of programs to supplement traditional treatment methods. The child could meet periodically with a mental health care professional and can be concurrently treating their disorder at home with these programs as well. These types of programs are also a great way to reduce the anxiety that comes along with multiple doctors visits. Using these programs could eliminate the time needed to be in person with a physician.
Therefore, I think that the increased use of computerized CBT programs will be beneficial and can help transform the mental health field.
I agree. I would like to see more Computer-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions designed to treat anxiety disorders. Specifically, generalized anxiety disorder since this seems to be the type of disorder most lacking in technological based treatments. There are many treatments which exist for social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and even anxiety as a result of depression. However, there are very little web-based treatments for GAD and OCD
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