Computer-assisted CBT for depression & anxiety

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective nonpharmacological treatment for almost all mental disorders, especially anxiety and depression. The treatment is time limited, encourages self-help skills, is problem focused, is inductive, and requires that individuals develop and practice skills in their own environment through homework. However, most of those with mental health issues are unable to seek help because of factors related to treatment availability, accessibility, and cost. CBT is well suited to computerization and is easy to teach to nurses. In this article we describe outcome studies of computer-assisted CBT (cCBT), outline the current technologies available, discuss concerns and resistance associated with computerized therapy, and consider the role of nurses in using cCBT.

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2009 Jul;47(7):32-9. Stuhlmiller C, Tolchard B. School of Social Work, Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawaii Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. cstu@hawaii.edu