Technological Innovations in Mental Health: PsychologyOnline Exhibits at London Launch Event

PsychologyOnline’s innovative text-based approach to cognitive behavioural therapy will be on show at the Technical Innovations in Mental Health conference on 11 November 2013.

The symposium, held at the Royal College of Physicians in London, will highlight the latest technological advances in the field and consider how these advances could help transform the delivery of therapy to service users.

The event coincides with the launch of MindTech, the NHS National Institute for Health Research’s new initiative to promote the use of technologies for mental healthcare in England.

Cambridge-based PsychologyOnline provides a unique form of live online cognitive behavioural therapy via a text-based instant messaging system. All service users need is access to a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone which is connected to the internet.

Therapy sessions can be held at flexible times, including evenings and weekends, from the comfort of home or wherever the patient feels most comfortable.

Surrey is one of the first areas to offer PsychologyOnline “on prescription” to service users in its five CCG areas. Therapy is also accessible to all via Thinkwell, the firm’s pay-for service.

Barnaby Perks, chief executive at PsychologyOnline, has welcomed the conference as an exciting chance to showcase the firm’s unique online therapy and is encouraging fellow delegates to come and meet the team.

He adds: “It is good to see the health sector embracing new developments in technologies in the mental health field.

“PsychologyOnline allows more flexibility in the way mental health services are delivered and is also a means to cope with the increased volume in demand that we’ve seen over recent years.

“There has been a growing acceptance of internet technologies for accessing services of all types and many NHS Trusts and commissioners are interested in how PsychologyOnline could work for their patients.”

Keynote speakers at the conference include Dr Geraldine Strathdee, the national clinical director of Mental Health for NHS England and Dr Louise Wood, the head of NHS Research Infrastructure and Growth at the Department of Health.

For more information please visit: www.psychologyonline.co.uk or MediLink