Technology in psychotherapy: an introduction.

Abstract

All indicators suggest that technology may be an inherent part of psychotherapy delivery in the next decade. This article serves as an introduction to a special issue of Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session devoted to technology in psychotherapy. Articles in this series feature self-help Internet sites, computer-administered psychotherapy, adjunctive palmtop computer psychotherapy, virtual reality psychotherapy, interactive voice messaging systems, biofeedback via ambulatory physiological monitoring, synchronous and asynchronous online support groups, and use of electronic mail by psychotherapists. As illustrated by many of the articles in this issue, technological advances may extend psychotherapy beyond the therapy hour and increase psychotherapy dissemination, client motivation, and compliance.