Introduction
Psychological therapy, either face-to-face or remotely through information and communication technologies (ICT), is based on effective communication between people. During the therapeutic process, the client exposes his problem, motivations and goals, while the psychologist, through the usual face-to-face communication, analyzes the demand and proposes solutions. Such communication is fundamentally verbal but is undoubtedly supported by the non-verbal language of both interlocutors. Consistency between people’s verbal and non-verbal messages is crucial in psychological treatment, as it contributes to accurate understanding of the message and minimizes possible misinterpretations. This consistency adjusts meaning and ensures effective communication in the therapeutic process.
It is critical to have conditions that promote precise understanding of the message in order to carry out the psychological treatment effectively. The communication environment, the presence of third parties, the level of intimacy, information security, and trust in the interlocutor are all examples of these conditions. These elements are critical to ensuring a favorable and optimal therapeutic environment. New variables, procedures, and conditions in interaction that affect communication come into play in distance psychological processes.
Today’s information and communication technologies (ICT) have advanced to the point where they enable effective communication and the delivery of effective psychological treatments. This allows for the same level of success in clinical treatment even when there is no face-to-face contact with the client.
Origin, evolution and Current State of Online Therapy
The impact of ICT use has become more visible in our daily lives. The daily use of the Internet by 64.3% of the population aged 16 to 74 has resulted in a significant shift in our society’s communication style. Furthermore, it is beginning to change health research practices and the delivery of health services.
Telepsychological interventions have changed, evolved, and expanded dramatically since their inception in the 1960s.
The following are some of the factors that are facilitating the growing expansion of internet interventions:
- Communication is simple and quick.
- Cost-cutting measures.
- The use of the Internet as a tool for social media.
- Distance psychological care is becoming increasingly popular.
- Computer system enhancement and security.
Although most psychological interventions were initially developed over the phone or via email, there has been a noticeable increase in the use of other media, such as videoconferencing, in recent years. At the moment, there is an explosion of new channels, such as smartphones, virtual reality, and web-structured programs. The latter consists of manualized protocols that the patient follows on his or her own, with or without assistance from the therapist. Technological and internet development evolves in such a way that the possibilities that technology allows appear almost limitless, and new perspectives are expanded on a daily basis. The advancement of new technologies affects almost all aspects of psychology, including information, psychoeducation, evaluation, counseling, and psychotherapy.
Online Therapy Concept
Currently, there are numerous terms for describing Internet-based interventions aimed at physical or psychological health. E-therapy, cybertherapy, healthcare, online therapy, telesalud, telepsychology, and online psychological interventions are all terms that are commonly used.
Despite the terminological variety mentioned, the definition proposed by the American Psychological Association (APA) should be highlighted. This organization proposes the term “telepsychological interventions” to refer to the delivery of psychological services via non-verbal communication technologies. Telephone, email, text, videoconferencing, mobile applications, and web-structured programs are examples of these technologies.
Empirical support
Telepsychological interventions are now widely accepted as a viable option for psychological prevention and treatment. To date, randomized controlled trials have shown that online psychological interventions produce behavioral changes when compared to control groups. This demonstrates the efficacy of Internet-based psychological therapy, particularly from a cognitive-behavioral standpoint.
The following are some of the most researched psychological problems where empirical support for the efficacy of online psychological therapy has been discovered:
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- The obsessive compulsive disorder.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Insomnia.
- Problems with weight control.
- Addictions.
Online treatment using various modalities and technologies, with varying degrees of synchronicity, has demonstrated its efficacy, with clear clinical improvements and an increase in quality of life. According to meta-analyses, telepsychological intervention is as effective as face-to-face therapy.
Reference: