Describe the different types of alternative therapies discussed in your text-bibliotherapy, technology-based therapies, and alternative medicine-and explain the potential risks associated with each. Identify which of these you think offers the most potential benefit to those suffering from a mental illness, and explain why.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

One alternative therapy is bibliotherapy, which refers to a list of reading materials, developed by the therapist, that are relevant to a client's life situation. Although self-help books may vary in how useful they are in actuality, the fact that a person is working with a therapist who is taking an active role in suggesting books or other written materials elevates bibliotherapy to a higher level. Psychologists believe bibliotherapy can be an important and effective part of the psychotherapy process when it is used to augment an existing therapy plan. Research shows that therapist-recommended readings can be effective in treating many problems, including alcoholism, anxiety disorders, stress disorders, and depression. The use of self-help books can be problematic if not recommended by a licensed therapist because they may promise quick fixes and unrealistic results, filling the reader with false hope. There is also the danger that people who read these books will not seek counseling, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of these books as treatments.
Three major types of technology-based counseling include telecounseling, e-therapy, and media counseling. (1) Telecounseling: This refers to communicating over the telephone to receive mental health education and services across a distance. The advantage of this mode of delivery is that it is low-cost, convenient, and efficient, and it may provide access to people who are housebound or living in rural areas. Couples in long-distance relationships can also have access to conference-call telecounseling for couples therapy. The disadvantages include people's discomfort with technology, the chance of technical problems, greater difficulty developing a relationship between client and therapist, and ethical issues. Telecounseling should not be used in place of traditional therapy, but it can supplement traditional mental health care by providing greater accessibility. (2) E-therapies, or electronic therapies, are Internet- and/or computer-based therapies. Proponents of e-therapies argue that Internet therapies may be targeting an audience that wouldn't be likely to see a live therapist, either because of the stigma associated with seeking treatment, the cost, or an inadequate supply of therapists in their area. The main problem with Internet therapies is the lack of regulation compared to live therapies, which can harm more than help a person. This can be particularly concerning given that people with severe psychological disorders seek e-therapy. E-therapies require a level of motivation and general functioning that may not be present in people with severe psychological disorders such as schizophrenia. Although there are some serious concerns, there are structured and controlled e-therapies for mood, anxiety, addiction, and eating disorders that have shown promise. E-therapies have also been successful in treating phobias and panic disorders, and can be cost effective when using a computer program to deliver therapeutic sessions. It is impossible to make blanket statements about the effectiveness of e-therapies because of the wide range of techniques e-therapies encompass. Consumers should be wary of canned programs that can be purchased for self-directed use. Cybertherapy is a different type of technology-based therapy than e-therapy. Therapy is delivered through the use of simulations and virtual humans (avatars). Cybertherapy is a newer approach, but several studies comparing the use of virtual reality to traditional cognitive behavior therapies have found that the virtual worlds are just as effective, and possibly more effective. The advantages of cybertherapy are that people seem to disclose more personal information to an avatar than to an actual person, and the use of avatars allows clients and therapists to move into a virtual world where the client can actually experience a given scenario. Cybertherapy is a convenient way to increase exposure to particular environments that would otherwise be difficult to arrange. The main disadvantage of cybertherapy is that the client does not get to interact in-person with a counselor. Overall, technology-based therapies have been developed so quickly that they have not been properly studied and evaluated. The lack of research evidence, the potential misuse and abuse, and the ethical issues involved should make consumers think twice before seeking one of these therapies. (3) Media counseling describes a psychologist on the radio or television. The advice and information that professionals give in these formats can affect the individual asking for help, as well as influence the thoughts and behaviors of thousands of listeners and viewers. The benefits of relief and emotional support reported by callers to such programs may be outweighed by ethical issues associated with anonymity for clients and the possible lack of therapist qualifications. To address this concern, the American Psychological Association has published guidelines regarding the psychologist's roles and limitations in providing public advice or comments on radio and television.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is defined as medical practices and products that are not part of conventional medicine, including any topic that is not covered in medical school. Complementary and alternative medicine includes yoga, massage, herbal supplements, acupuncture, reflexology, homeopathy, and more. CAM is mainly used to treat anxiety and depression, but it can be used to treat a wide range of psychological symptoms and problems. People seek alternative medicine because they feel desperate when mainstream medicine fails, when traditional medications lead to undesirable side effects, or as a last-ditch effort. The effectiveness of these alternative therapies is hard to assess, as they have not been subjected to rigorous scientific study; those that have been studied have not shown promising results. The use of herbal supplements to treat depression has failed to show long-term effects, and herbal remedies can actually have dangerous drug interactions with psychotropic drugs prescribed by mental health professionals. Additionally, CAM providers often do not have the necessary training and qualifications to work with individuals who have severe psychological disorders, so the people who need help the most may not get the help they need.
Students will identify different alternative therapies that offer the most potential benefit to those suffering from a mental illness. The explanations should include information justifying the selection they have made.