Telepsychology is the use of
telemedicine within the practice of
psychotherapy, wherein a medical professional uses online tools to assist patients. Some tools may include, but are not limited to:
Zoom (software)
Zoom, stylized as zoom or Zoom Meetings is a proprietary videotelephony software program developed by Zoom Video Communications. The free plan allows up to 100 concurrent participants, with a 40-minute time restriction. Users have the option ...
,
Skype
Skype () is a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, best known for VoIP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also has instant messaging, file transfer, deb ...
, email, online chatting,
Oovoo
ooVoo was a video chat and a messaging app developed by ooVoo LLC and owned by Krush Technologies, LLC. ooVoo had applications for Android, iOS, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone, and Facebook. The original Microsoft Windows app was re ...
, text-messaging, phone call, or using a smart phone app. Not only is telepsychology cost-effective, it also helps connect medical professionals to underserved patients while being more comforting and convenient to both parties.
Guidelines
There are guidelines and standards that must be met for a medical professional to successfully and effectively utilize their tools to aid their patients. ACPRO also has a model of standards for how one can conduct an adequate telepsychology service delivery.
Evidence
Though it is understandable that critics will argue that telepsychology practices are not as effective as in-person practices, but there's enough evidence to suggest otherwise. One notable study conducted by
APA Psych Net shows that there are no significant differences between telepsychology and in-person practices.
See also
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Online counseling
Online counseling is a form of professional mental health counseling that is generally performed through the internet. Computer aided technologies are used by the trained professional counsellors and individuals seeking counselling services to comm ...
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Social media therapy
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Telephone counseling Telephone counseling refers to any type of psychological service performed over the telephone. Telephone counseling ranges from individual, couple or group psychotherapy with a professional therapist to psychological first aid provided by para-prof ...
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Telepsychiatry Telepsychiatry is the application of telemedicine to the specialty field of psychiatry. The term typically describes the delivery of psychiatric assessment and care through telecommunications technology, usually videoconferencing. Telepsychiatry se ...
References
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Telemedicine
Treatment of mental disorders