Online Psychotherapy for Adults

This article discusses the impact of online Psychotherapy for Adults.   The key objective in this systematic review is to evaluate the types of Online Psychotherapy (OP) currently available and the quality of the information being provided.  This review used two main primary databases, EMBASE and PsycINFO, in the process.  Within this process, fifty-nine studies were evaluated and the primary online psychotherapy modalities identified were self-therapy programs using email or video chat to communicate.  They summarized that compared to face-face therapies, OP had results that were similar.  The different forms of communication opened up new avenues for the patient and therapist relationship and allowed for an increase in therapeutic possibilities.  OP's in this study showed potential treatment alternatives in common issues but they notate that it is unclear if this type of therapy will be effective in more severe cases.   They still believe that face-to-face alternatives for the severe cases is best as of this time.   Psychodynamic psychotherapist needs to consistently review the changes taking place in the world and how these impact individuals in order to make adjustments to their approach within this industry.

de Bitencourt Machado, D., Braga Laskoski, P., Trelles Severo, C., Margareth Bassols, A., Sfoggia, A., Kowacs, C., … Laks Eizirik, C. (2016). A Psychodynamic Perspective on a Systematic Review of Online Psychotherapy for Adults. British Journal of Psychotherapy, 32(1), 79–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjp.12204