Psychology Final assignment
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Outline and Box Score
Martha Ramsey
Saint Leo University
Thesis/Capstone Project I: PSY-690
Instructor Lara Ault
February 18, 2024
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In conducting my research, I embarked upon a comprehensive online search with the library of
St. Leo University Library, looking for relevant articles that would bolster the reasonings of my
research attempt later on. Precisely, initially I decided that no article would be considered for the
purpose of my journal search if it is not in English language (which is the lingua franca of
journalism and communication worldwide) and therefore its reading cannot be understood to the
fullest. Consistent to that, I undertook a focused investigation only in the university’s library,
aiming to access only journals with an academic purpose. Adapting an inclusive frame, I featured
articles no matter their form including in peer-reviewed journals that I further refined to only the
specific type covered 'peer-reviewed' pieces. In order to ensure the present-day relevance and
consistency of this literature review, I was sparing in my choice of year of publication covering
the timeframe from 2019 till 2024 so as to engage the latest thoughts available in the academy.
By reason of the procedure of my research I purposefully introduced the search terms: "Online
therapy on mental health". The quantity of articles was quite big- 2300 articles- which means
that the airspace science field is being investigated very professionally nowadays. But the more
carefully I have explored all this mass data and came to the decision that among the numerous
articles which were related with the main purpose of my research I finally chose the three of
them which gave the complete picture of participants characteristics.
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Online Therapy on Mental Health
Abstract
The abstract acts as a short form for the capstone project, it provides a general report
about the special problem, the methodology, the major results, the restrictions, and the
summary.
Introduction
Background - Introduce the problem: The advent of online therapy has provided an important
avenue for mental health support. Pinpoint the importance of the topic, relating it to the
remarkable growth of web-based therapy platforms usage.
Problem Statement - Clearly state the problem: The influence of online help on mental health
through online consultation is the most important factor.
Purpose of Review - Discuss the purpose: For the purpose of the review to provide an in-depth
analysis of the current literature on how internet-based therapy impacts mental health. Clearly
indicate the importance of the review and go ahead to make suggestions since some parts may
not be understood well and future researchers are guided.
Research Questions - How does counseling and therapy on the Internet contribute to the cure
and prevention of mental disorders? What are online therapy's pros and cons, or what are the
connotations of online therapy?
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Review of Literature
Online Therapy: Ethics and trans-humanism; the first connotation. Whereas counseling is done
face to face, therapy which has also been referred to as psychotherapy is done online.
In depth look at online therapy platforms as a new area.
Effectiveness of Online Therapy - Look through trials investigating the efficiency of online
counseling and classical face-to-face courses. Provide information concerning outcomes of
people suffering for different mental disorders.
Accessibility and Reach - Explore and evaluate the affordability, popularity of online therapy
and its usefulness in treating individuals from different portfolios in society. Analyze whether the
online therapy does arise issues to mental health treatment.
Therapeutic Alliance and User Experience - Comprehend the investigation conducted on the
relationship between the alliance in online therapy. Inquire into how users find professional
online therapy platforms though it is advisable to stay updated with emerging technologies.
Method
Eligibility Criteria - Describe the inclusion and exclusion criteria for choosing the studies you
will base your work on. List as specific criteria as publication date, study design, and mental
health outcomes focus.
Quality Evaluation - Summarize the rules for evaluation of results of the selected
studies. Establish procedures that guarantee the reliability and validity of the measures, the
internal validity in case of the experimental design, and the appropriate analysis in the case of the
correlational link, respectively.
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Key Findings
Synthesis of Literature - Summarize key findings from selected studies. Categorize results based
on the impact of online therapy on mental health outcomes.
Limitations
Scope and Generalization - Acknowledge the limitations of the review in terms of scope and
generalizability. Address any potential biases in the selected studies.
Conclusion
Summary of Findings - Recapitulate the main findings and their implications for the
understanding of online therapy and mental health.
Practical Implications - Discuss practical implications for mental health practitioners,
policymakers, and online therapy platforms.
Recommendations for Future Research - Propose avenues for future research to address gaps
identified during the review.
Keywords
Online therapy, mental health, effectiveness, accessibility, therapeutic alliance, user experience.
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Box Score
Researchers Subjects Method/Independent Variables
Dependent Variables
Outcomes
Khan, S., Shapka, J. D., & Domene, J. F. (2021)
Counselors Online therapy experiences
Personal Experiences
Varied experiences, not specified
Kotera, Y., Richardson, M., & Sheffield, D. (2020)
General population
Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy
Mental Health Positive effects on mental health
Sander, J., Bolinski, F., Diekmann, S., Gaebel, W., Günther, K., Hauth, I., Heinz, A., Kleiboer, A., Riper, H., Trost, N., Vlijter, O., Zielasek, J., & Gerlinger, G. (2021)
Mental health care professionals
Online therapy as added value in inpatient routine care
An added value for inpatient routine care
Positive perspectives on online therapy
Sockalingam, S., Leung, S. E., Ma, C., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Dash, S., Jackson, T., & Cassin, S. E. (2022)
Bariatric surgery patients
Telephone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy
Mental health distress and disordered eating
Preliminary positive results in reducing distress and disordered eating
Westerhof, G. J., Lamers, S. M. A., Postel, M. G., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2019)
Older adults Online therapy for depressive symptoms (Life Review Therapy)
Depressive symptoms
Positive effects on depressive symptoms, both counselor-led and peer- supported
Xie, M., Wang, C., Li, Z., Xu, W., Wang, Y., Wu, Y., & Hu, R. (2023)
Patients with hematologic neoplasms and their significant others
Remote dignity therapy
Mental health Positive effects on mental health in patients and significant others
Last, B. S., Mirhashem, R., & Yang, Y. (2024).
18 therapists in public mental health settings, New York City
90-min semi structured qualitative interviews, chart- stimulated recall strategy
Session- planning practices, structural, organizational, and individual barriers and facilitators
Identified multilevel session-planning barriers and facilitators; Proposed multilevel recommendations for session planning; Highlighted challenges in managing productivity
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standards, clinical presentations, and clients' social needs.
Ncheka, J. M., Menon, J. A., E Bethan Davies, Paul, R., Mwaba, S. O. C., Mudenda, J., Wharrad, H., Tak, H., & Glazebrook, C. (2024).
50 Zambian university students with symptoms of low mood
Qualitative interview study, semi-structured interviews
Perceived impact of COVID-19, Feasibility of implementing moodgym, Benefits and limitations of moodgym
Identified stress and impact on well-being due to COVID-19, Impaired quality of educational experience, Positive impact and acceptability of moodgym, Challenges in using moodgym
Posselt, J., Baumann, E., & Dierks, M.-L. (2024).
17 patients with mild or moderate depression
Qualitative interview study, semi-structured interviews
Patients' performance expectancies, Patients' effort expectancies, GPs' influence, Behavioral intention to use DTx
DTx not perceived as a substitute for face-to-face treatment, Factors influencing DTx acceptance, GPs' influence on DTx acceptance
Tuna, B., & Avci, O. H. (2023).
15 university counselors
Qualitative analysis Counselors' experiences
Adaptation to online counseling, Challenges, Self- care during COVID-19 pandemic
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References
Khan, S., Shapka, J. D., & Domene, J. F. (2021). Counsellors’ experiences of online therapy.
British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 50(1), 1–23.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2021.1885009
Kotera, Y., Richardson, M., & Sheffield, D. (2020). Effects of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing)
and Nature Therapy on Mental Health: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20(1).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00363-4
Last, B. S., Mirhashem, R., & Yang, Y. (2024). From plan to practice: A qualitative study of
public mental health therapists’ session-planning practices. Psychological Services.
https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000840
Ncheka, J. M., Menon, J. A., E Bethan Davies, Paul, R., Mwaba, S. O. C., Mudenda, J.,
Wharrad, H., Tak, H., & Glazebrook, C. (2024). Implementing internet-based cognitive
behavioural therapy (moodgym) for African students with symptoms of low mood during
the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative feasibilty study. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05542-4
Posselt, J., Baumann, E., & Dierks, M.-L. (2024). A qualitative interview study of patients’
attitudes towards and intention to use digital interventions for depressive disorders on
prescription. Frontiers in Digital Health, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1275569
Sander, J., Bolinski, F., Diekmann, S., Gaebel, W., Günther, K., Hauth, I., Heinz, A., Kleiboer,
A., Riper, H., Trost, N., Vlijter, O., Zielasek, J., & Gerlinger, G. (2021). Online therapy:
an added value for inpatient routine care? Perspectives from mental health care
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professionals. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 272(1), 107–
118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-021-01251-1
Sockalingam, S., Leung, S. E., Ma, C., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Dash, S., Jackson, T., & Cassin, S.
E. (2022). The impact of telephone-based cognitive behavioral therapy on mental health
distress and disordered eating among bariatric surgery patients during COVID-19:
Preliminary results from a multisite randomized controlled trial. Obesity Surgery.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-022-05981-6
Tuna, B., & Avci, O. H. (2023). Qualitative analysis of university counselors’ online counseling
experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current Psychology.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04358-x
Westerhof, G. J., Lamers, S. M. A., Postel, M. G., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2019). Online Therapy
for Depressive Symptoms: An Evaluation of Counselor-Led and Peer-Supported Life
Review Therapy. The Gerontologist, 59(1), 135–146.
https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnx140
Xie, M., Wang, C., Li, Z., Xu, W., Wang, Y., Wu, Y., & Hu, R. (2023). Effects of remote dignity
therapy on mental health among patients with hematologic neoplasms and their
significant others: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing
Studies, 104668–104668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2023.104668