Question

Medical terminology some aspect report e therapy(two pages)

Answer 1

E therapy-

The Internet provides a nearly limitless number of websites to help with almost any issue. More and more people are turning to the web for help with something that used to be confined to a doctor's office: psychotherapy.

Generally, it's defined as a treatment based in dialogue -- talking about what's bothering you with a professional who is supportive, neutral, and nonjudgmental.

But what if you can't afford a traditional therapist, you feel uncomfortable discussing these things in person, or you can't find qualified help you in your area?

Enter E-therapy.

How It Works

A quick online search can show a long list of sites offering services -- for a variety of fees -- to help you work out whatever you're facing. There are specific therapists for each issue, and different ways to pay.

Counselors can reach people in different ways:

Phone calls: Counseling over the phone is hardly a new idea. Many therapists have reported positive results for their clients using this growing option.

Some of the pluses include:

• Lower costs
• More convenience
• Anonymity
• A better sense of control for the person seeking help.

Video conferencing: This may be especially valuable for people who live in rural areas, where travel is difficult, or where there may not be many counselors with the needed skills. Usually people using this method have more sessions than they would in-person.

Text-based communication: Whether it's e-mail, chat rooms, or direct messages, texts make it easy for people to reach out to a therapist. They can also support more-direct counseling. Research on this newer trend is ongoing. Generally, it's found to be effective and helpful. Still, there's some evidence that a chat feature is more effective than e-mail alone.

Who It Works Best For

For some, even admitting they need help can be tough. They could feel shame or embarrassment. They could be resistant to it or afraid that family members or friends will find out. Either way, that first step can be hard. Reaching out anonymously can break the ice and make it easier to tackle any challenges.

While there's still a great deal of research to be done, there is evidence that under-served populations -- either because of where they live or their reasons for not coming in person -- have benefited from E-therapy. Costs for this can be half of face-to-face sessions. You don't have to travel, either, which makes online therapy a good choice for some people with disabilities, too.

Things to Watch Out For

As E-therapy gains momentum, there's a move to make it more regulated, encouraging online counselors to work to protect their clients' data and learn international laws.

Some online therapists aren't licensed but work around that by calling themselves “life coaches” instead.

Several issues face the industry, including more demand for services. Sometimes, therapists with more traditional in-person practices aren't eager to include these new methods.

Confidentiality -- something that's always looming in online interactions -- is a growing concern, as well.

If you're thinking about E-therapy, there are some commonsense things to consider before logging on to a website. As with any activity online, to keep your information secure:

• Think carefully about your password.
• Make sure you have a strong firewall program.
• Consider using document encryption software, to keep others from being able to read your emails.

Now the question is online therapy just as good as meeting a therapist in person?

The Answer: It truly depends on what you need. Certain therapy methods could work where patients receive treatment remotely through newer technologies.

“There are a number of studies looking at telemedicine for different kinds of disorders and they tend to be amazingly effective,” Mary Ann Dutton, professor and vice chair for research in the department of psychology at Georgetown University Medical Center, told The Huffington Post.

Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy, is as good on the telephone or over Skype as it is face-to-face for some mental health conditions. The CBT method has you engage in a certain number of sessions with a counselor to spur the awareness of negative thinking patterns. Then you learn how to respond to challenging situations or negative thoughts in a more effective way so you feel less emotional distress.

A small 2014 study also found that teens who were counseled over the phone for obsessive compulsive disorder found just as much success in treatment as their peers who met therapists face-to-face. And more recently, researchers in South Carolina found that veterans who experience post-traumatic stress disorderrespond just as well to therapy over videoconference to treatment received in office.

It could potentially work on eating disorders, as well. A small study from 2008 assessed 128 adults experiencing bulimia nervosa. The results were similar: Adults counseled by trained therapists via telemedicine were able to stop disordered eating habits just as much as the adults who were treated in person.

Lots of people would say the relationship [with your therapist] is what therapy is all about,” Dutton said. So, if you find it hard to trust or form an alliance with your counselor over the phone or computer, in-person sessions might be a better option for you.