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Therapy with the click of a mouse- Online Therapy "way of the future"
"People with social phobias, anxiety and depression are being treated over the internet, answering online questionnaires and emailing their therapist with their darkest thoughts and fears.
Psychiatrists and lecturers who have been running the pilot programs through St Vincent's Hospital, in Darlinghurst, say the treatment has been as successful as face-to-face therapy even though the therapists and patients never meet. The program could help free up psychiatrists to see more needy patients with severe mental illness.
"It's the way of the future and it's fascinating," a professor in psychiatry at the University of NSW, Gavin Andrews, said yesterday. "We are treating people we never see and yet we are getting equivalent results to our world-standard anxiety clinic where we see people face-to-face.
"And these people are maintaining their wellness. If you grew up before the age of the internet, it seems a shock to think you can be treated without seeing a doctor, but it is working."
Participants had reported finding online therapy easier because they did not have to go on waiting lists, take time off from work or travel to see a specialist, and many found it difficult to seek treatment because some symptoms of the condition included fearing criticism and judgment from others, Professor Andrews said.
Participants were required to complete six online lessons on cognitive behaviour therapy, homework and group discussions, but the course was far from impersonal, a senior lecturer at the University of NSW, Nick Titov, said.
"Initially I was sceptical, but we were able to build a positive working relationship with the patients and we got a flavour of each other," he said. "We don't have enough therapists and we have huge waiting lists. Many people on the lists don't necessarily need to see a therapist so this is a very good way of taking the strain off the system."
Dr Titov, whose work appears in this month's Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Psychiatry, said the program "empowered patients by allowing them to learn the skills needed to manage their lives"." "People with social phobias, anxiety and depression are being treated over the internet, answering online questionnaires and emailing ... more -
Virtual Rehab? US Scientists Use Second Life To Cure Alcoholics
US scientists are successfully using Second Life to cure alcoholics and are about to publish first research results. Patients at the Accelerated Recovery Centers are treated not only in Atlanta, but also on Identity Island, which exists only in Second Life. Here, they can participate in group conversations or have individual conversations with their therapists. Furthermore, they receive special training that supports them in their decision to resist alcohol and to remain sober. During the test phase, which has been running for the past nine months, roughly 100 alcoholics have made use of the innovative idea and according to the first research results, virtual rehab really seems to work! US scientists are successfully using Second Life to cure alcoholics and are about to publish first research results. Patients at the A... more
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Stop stress - destruction therapy
Participants destroy a car with sledge-hammers during an anti-stress session or "Destruction Therapy" before town's fiestas in Castejon, northern Spain, June 21, 2008. Participants destroy a car with sledge-hammers during an anti-stress session or "Destruction Therapy" before town's fiestas in Castejo... more
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Boris the cat gets hydrotherapy
Who'd of thought of curing a cat's ailing back with hydrotherapy, or even dunking the cat in the water...
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BMX Escapism
This film is about two BMX bikers from Southsea, Portsmouth, UK. This film is the first in a series of short films about people and their relationship to the seafront. This film is about two BMX bikers from Southsea, Portsmouth, UK. This film is the first in a series of short films about people and th... more
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Sadness may encourage more extravagance
Study found that people's spending judgment goes out the window when they are down, especially if they are self-absorbed.
No duh! Ever heard of retail therapy? Study found that people's spending judgment goes out the window when they are down, especially if they are self-absorbed. ... more -
US still using electric shocks for punishments on menatlly ill people
A state report identifies multiple failures by staff members of a group home that allowed two emotionally disturbed teenagers to be given dozens of electrical shocks at the direction of a caller posing as a supervisor.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/let... I found this "letter to the editor" that really captures my feelings about this matter.
This is utterly barbaric that we still use electric shock for punishment or "therapy". Electric shocks are banned by the Geneva Conventions. Why are we using this on the most vulnerable of citizens? Why? A state report identifies multiple failures by staff members of a group home that allowed two emotionally disturbed teenagers to be gi... more -
Ayahuasca Healing In Peru
Illegal in the USA and many other western country, Ayahuasca has amazing spiritual and psychological healing properties when taken in the correct manner under the supervision of qualified therapists and chamans. Illegal in the USA and many other western country, Ayahuasca has amazing spiritual and psychological healing properties when taken in ... more
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Touch the Ocean for Health
She reflects on the results on her first ever CranioSacral Therapy and the Ocean. She had had the ocean session only 4 hours before this video.
A newbie visual on some of the events described in the new book, "TOUCH THE OCEAN: THE POWER OF OUR COLLECTIVE EMOTIONS" by James Nemec LMT, CST-D
She reflects on the results on her first ever CranioSacral Therapy and the Ocean. She had had the ocean session only 4 hours before t... more -
I Don't Wanna Go To Wii-hab...
The healing power of Wii: "We've seen a variety of methods used to help stroke patients regain motion and motor functions, but we can't think of anything more exciting than playing video games as a critical part of your rehabilitation. Turns out, a number of physical therapists around the country are actually allowing patients to relearn balance and movement skills by playing the Wii, which as you know, it already quite the hit with the geriatric set." The healing power of Wii: "We've seen a variety of methods used to help stroke patients regain motion and motor functions, but we can'... more
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Pac Man + Science = Fear?
Scientists are using the Pac Man video game in conjunction with electroshock therapy to figure out how fear works. Patients are now said to be deathly afraid of cherries, pretzels and brightly colored mumus. Scientists are using the Pac Man video game in conjunction with electroshock therapy to figure out how fear works. Patients are now sa... more
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