Wondering if therapy will work for you? Finding it difficult to imagine how your treatment will work if you and your therapist avail yourself of the latest science has to offer? Technology can enhance your experience. Although research is beginning to show that technology can’t take the place of face-to-face work with a qualified therapist, it can be useful in a number of ways.
- Better Communication. For example, texting can be more efficacious than other means for delivering timely messages to those with depression. And texting can be a useful tool for the therapist to keep in contact with those struggling to quit smoking or conquer substance abuse. It allows for a better flow of communication between patient and therapist, no matter what the patient is working on. Which can only be to the good.
- Online Homework. Patients can make great personal progress by reading correspondence from their therapists online, practicing suggestions and using online tools interactively, which can be effective supplements to therapeutic care. It helps patients stay on top of their health between visits.
- Online Video Therapy. When patients live in rural areas, are not mobile, or just don’t have the time or resources to make a long commute, online conferencing can be a wonderful alternative to face-to-face therapy. It helps remove barriers to accessing the help people need who are not able to get out and about. Further, if you require additional consultation from a specialist—local or anywhere in the world—you can video conference with more than one professional at the same time.
- There’s an App for That. For example, there’s a mood-tracking app that allows patients to track how they’re doing throughout the day, week and month. You answer a few questions about your emotions and the app stores relevant information so you can begin to see patterns. Perhaps certain times of day are stressful for you. Or certain days of the week. When you are forewarned, you can be forearmed and better equipped to combat or avoid that stress. There are also apps to help people combat PTSD, treat their symptoms and learn coping skills. And there are apps designed to be used in concert with traditional psychotherapy. No doubt more will be developed as technology evolves.
- Online Scheduling. As mundane as this may seem, you can schedule appointments, make changes, get reminders—all online or by text and all much easier than in the past.
Technology will only get better and better as it advances, facilitating a greater depth to therapy. More instantaneous help, greater opportunity for self-inquiry, better access to support. That’s what technology can enable as therapists and clients alike embrace these new tools.
Nancy Travers is an Orange County Counseling professional. If you need safe, effective counseling services, please get in touch. You can reach her here: https://nancyscounselingcorner.com/contact-us.