Stepped Care and e-Health (PDF)

Stepped Care and E-Health
Practical Applications to Behavioral Disorders

William T. O'Donohue and Crissa Draper, editors


The facts are simple enough: the need for therapy outstrips the supply of quality therapists. Not everyone who needs help has the time or money for treatment, or has access to a qualified practitioner. And in many cases, traditional therapy may not be appropriate or necessary.

Enter stepped care, which offers a range of interventions so clients can choose the most applicable, efficient and least intrusive methods, from educational information to self-help materials, from adjunctive treatment with minimal clinician involvement to traditional in-office therapy. Stepped Care and E-Health sets out a workable client-centered model that capitalizes on the availability and immediacy of innovative internet resources (e.g., web sites and e-books) so that individuals can receive quality care, in the most time- and cost-efficient manner, to match their stage of need and to give them choice. Chapters follow an easy-access format, with a brief discussion of each problem and details of an evidence-informed stepped care approach: description of each step, triage and assessment methods, online resources, and references. A wide range of clinical conditions is featured, including:

. Mood disorders.
. Substance abuse.
. Phobias.
. Obesity and eating disorders.
. Pediatric behavior problems.
. Sexual disorders and dysfunctions.
. PTSD.
. Dementia.

As computers continue at the forefront of quality improvement in mental health service delivery, health psychologists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, and mental health organizations, especially those working with rural, minority, and other underserved communities, will find a practical source of expertise in Stepped Care and E-Health.