Today there are many more people seeking help for their mental health than before. In fact, between 2009 and 2015, there was a 30 percent increase in the number of college students visiting counseling centers. People in their 20s and 30s also seek help for their mental health more often than others. With the increase in demand for therapy, innovation and technology have given way to a new form of treatment known as digital therapy. What is digital therapy, and how is it impacting mental healthcare?
Traditionally there have been a minimal number of ways to obtain treatment for mental health and behavioral disorders. Nowadays, the internet has expanded the options for individuals. There are countless online resources for every type of therapy. However, now, there are mobile apps that offer various services directly to those who need it. This phenomenon of digital therapy is happening all across the globe through digital therapists, mental well-being apps, virtual reality avatar therapists, and artificial intelligence counselors. The main goals of digital therapy are to treat, manage, or prevent mental health issues through an accessible medium. The FDA even approved it for treatment in 2017.
In the US, there has been an increase in discussion of health and wellness, which has contributed to the emergence of digital health. Numerous companies have created apps or digital resources that are accessible to the people who are advocates of wellness. Digital medicine, as a whole, is a growing industry that continues to develop new ways to treat people in every aspect of healthcare.
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One report found that more than half of patients are willing to use digital therapy, and 56 percent of physicians have brought it up as an option for their patients. Many people are not wary of digital therapy, especially because of the things it can offer a patient and the therapist. Digital therapy allows for more close monitoring and adherence to treatments. An analysis by the American Psychological Association shared that digital therapy is more than just the wellness apps that are made directly for consumers. They are tools that are being evaluated by studies to ensure that they are useful for patients. We should expect an increase in the availability and types of digital therapies offered in the future.
Elana Clark-Faler is a psychotherapist at Recovery Help Now where she is also the Clinical Director and Owner. Elana has worked in health for more than 20 years. Be sure to visit Elana Clark-Faler's website and follow her on her social profiles.
