Digital Media in Psychotherapy - New Approaches and Perspectives in the Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders

• Published in: Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, medizinische Psychologie
• Main Authors: Kessler, Henrik, Dangellia, Luisa, Herpertz, Stephan, Kehyayan, Aram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.10.2020
• ISSN: 1439-1058
• DOI: 10.1055/a-1120-8976

This article provides an insight into novel approaches and perspectives using digital technologies in the treatment of trauma-related disorders. Therapy options for patients with trauma-related disorders are not easily available on a global scale and there is a search for new specific therapeutic strategies. In the first part of this article, examples of digital approaches are provided that are based on established analogue treatments and are designed mainly to increase availability and cost-effectiveness of these treatments. In the second part, the focus lies on digital treatments that employ novel approaches, which are e. g. informed by cognitive science, to specifically target particular symptoms in clinical populations after their development in lab studies. Examples given are visuospatial interventions used to reduce intrusive symptoms, or training programmes to increase levels of interference control (to control trauma-related stimuli), or to change automatic dysfunctional cognitions. These interventions will be presented with their respective theoretical frameworks, along with results from first (partially clinical) studies, which are promising concerning acceptance, applicability and effectiveness.