Psych 344- Ch 3

• Applications of technology in clinical psychology include:

  • Videoconferencing
  • Apps, email, or text
  • Interactive internet sites
  • Online psychotherapy programs
  • Virtual reality techniques
  • Computer self-instructional programs
  • Wearable biofeedback sensors
  • Apple watch can collect biometric info like heartbeat and blood pressure
• Telepsychology and other applications of technology increase access and affordability to therapy
• Reviews and meta-analyses assess the efficacy of telepsychology and technology applications in clinical psychology
• Advantages and limitations of videoconference therapy are evaluated
• Virtual reality techniques are used in clinical psychology
• APA ethical code updates address specific ethical guidelines and fundamental suggestions for telepsychology
• Factors that can affect telepsychology are considered
• Movement to allow clinical psychologists to prescribe medication includes key figures like Patrick H. DeLeon, Morgan T. Sammons, and Robert McGrath
• Society of Prescribing Psychology states that only New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, and Idaho allow clinical psychologists to prescribe medication
• Reasons why clinical psychologists should prescribe medication include:

  • Shortage of psychiatrists
  • Clinical psychologists' expertise
  • Convenience for clients
  • Professional autonomy and identification
  • Evolution of the profession
  • Revenue for the profession
• Training issues and identity confusion are reasons why clinical psychologists should not prescribe medication
• Evidence-based practice and manualized therapy are based on research and show effectiveness in therapy
• Manualized therapy involves following a manual to keep variability among therapists to a minimum
• Incorporation of treatment involves research, clinician capability, and client qualities as essential parts
• Advantages of evidence-based practice/manualized therapy include scientific legitimacy, minimal levels of competence, training improvement, and decreased reliance on clinical judgement
• Disadvantages of evidence-based/manualized therapy include threats to the psychotherapy relationship, diagnostic complications, restrictions on practice, debatable criteria, and concerns about diversity and equity
• Overexpansion of mental disorders is a concern, with criticisms about overdiagnosis and new disorders being introduced
• New disorders and new definitions of old disorders are introduced, such as prolonged grief disorder in DSM-5-TR
• The influence of the pharmaceutical industry in diagnosing mental disorders is discussed
• Payment methods like health insurance/managed care and self-payment impact therapy and diagnosis in clinical psychology
• Psychologists' views on managed care include concerns about companies exercising too much control over clinical decisions and confidentiality issues
• Effect on diagnosis includes psychologists being more likely to assign diagnoses for clients with managed care