E-Mental Health

Question 1

What are some of the pros of e-mental health?

Answer 1

• Greater accessibility, more flexible
• less confronting
• Less stigma, more anonymity
• Cost-effective
• Less time-consuming
• Opportunity for real-world generalisation

Question 2

What are some of the cons of e-mental health?

Answer 2

• Increased interpersonal isolation
• less local context knowledge if therapist and client are in different places
• Less access for people without access to IT etc
• May encourage more frequent and casual interactions - boundary crossings

Question 3

What are the 5 levels of the Stepped Care Model?

Answer 3

.

Question 4

Distinguish between synchronous, asynchronous, and blended treatment formats

Answer 4

• Synchronous - live therapy, 1 on 1
• Synchronous blended - live therapy + e-mental health resources
• Asynchronous - working through pre-set structured therapy program (e.g., self-help online program)
• Asynchronous blended - work through pre-set structured program with limited additional support from a therapist

Question 5

What has most of the evidence for ‘e-mental health’ been focused on?

Answer 5

Asynchronous formats

Question 6

Who can self-guided online programs be good for?

Answer 6

• People on long wait lists
• People who can’t afford lots of therapy sessions
• When integrated with 1:1 therapy
• People who are reluctant about 1:1 therapy
• Low severity symptoms

Question 7

What does the emerging evidence for synchronous therapies support?

Answer 7

CBT for adults with anxiety/depression

Question 8

What are some examples of website self-guided (asynchronous) interventions?

Answer 8

• MoodGym
• myCompass
• ThisWayUp
• MindSpot

Question 9

What are some examples of apps?

Answer 9

• Calm Halm
• Combined minds
• Curable (chronic pain)

Question 10

What are some things to consider when setting up a telehealth space?

Answer 10

• Quiet, free from distractions
• Close the door
• Camera at eye height
• Head and shoulders in frame
• Block colours
• Background mimics therapy office
• Turn off phone
• Make sure devices are charged
• Ensure good sound quality
• Stable internet

Question 11

What are some ethical issues with e-mental health?

Answer 11

• Privacy
• Managing risk
• informed consent
• State jurisdictional issues
• More frequent and casual interactions - can cause boundary crossings