The virtual office: A preliminary investigation of a computer-based treatment for adolescents with anxiety disorders and clinicians' attitudes towards the use of technology in psychotherapy

Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric diagnoses in children and adolescents (Craske, 1997). The two most common treatments currently used for anxiety disorders are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychopharmacological interventions, both of which have demonstrated efficacy and utility in research studies. Yet, many individuals never receive treatment for their anxiety as a result of a variety of barriers.;Barriers to treatment have been documented in the literature and are significantly preventing individuals from receiving the help they need. Common barriers include: limited number of individuals trained in CBT, inaccessibility to mental health centers, difficulty finding time for therapy, expenses, long waiting lists, and an individual's reluctance or stigma associated with therapy (Kaltenthaler, Parry, Beverley, 2004). In addition, children and adolescents may face further obstacles due to their dependence on their parents and their schedules, priorities and own burdens.;This research proposed one method to alleviate some of the burdens listed above. Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT), which has been used with adults, has yet to be translated to work with adolescents. This study was planned to investigate the effectiveness of a computer-based CBT treatment for children diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Due to slow recruitment efforts this study was discontinued after nine months of recruitment and only one participant who dropped out after one and a half weeks. The hypothesis that practicing therapists do not view computerized therapies in a favorable light was suggested as a potential explanation for difficulties with recruitment. To test this hypothesis, a survey was distributed to 43 practicing therapists to assess their use of, and attitudes towards, the integration of technology with psychotherapy. Significant results were obtained revealing that most practicing therapists are not currently integrating technology into their clinical practice and that early career psychologists, those who have been practicing for less than seven years, are more likely than seasoned career psychologists (those who have practiced for more than seven years) to view the computer as a medium for therapy to be an advantageous way to engage adolescents.