Message From Manobal Study

Message from Manobal Study

Communication is an essential aspect of life for every person, which gets heightened in a depressive mood.

Technology has been rapidly advancing in the last few decades and so has the need for application of technology and computational capacities in the management of mental health and psychotherapy treatment.

Internet self-help websites typically consist of modules to be completed, followed by psycho-educational material like diagnosis, reading material for various treatment – practices, videos ( couple therapy at Post Graduate Centre for Mental Health, New York 1970 ), behavioral activities, audio-formats like muscular relaxation, biofeedback training procedure (E Green Menninger Foundation, USA ) or Hindi translation of bio-feed back ( Dube, S. 1997, book pg 183 ). Although advent and presence of a standardized diagnostic classification (Diagnostic Statistical Manual-1, International Classification of Diseases) and its various revisions makes it possible to download and read such information and various theories and psychotherapeutic techniques, available on the internet or on the finger tips of a patient, without any expert professional validation could be harmful.

 The professionals need to be cognizant about the advancement in technology and its judicious use in psychotherapy. However the relationship between the therapist – client – patients should not be replaced by computerized aids.

A psychotherapeutic process largely depends upon the type of therapist, patient and setting. Individual attention should be paid on the speed of uncovering conscious and unconscious material in the emotionally corrective atmosphere, where the catharsis is of crucial importance. The space and setting in which short tem or long term therapy is being provided in individual or group or a family is important. The amount of fees charged or not charged may it be in hospital group or a family is important. The amount of fees charged or not charged, may it be in hospital or at private set up, could be worked out, but privacy, confidentiality, speed and recovery should not be compromised. If such treatment settings are not available one should resort to music, art-forms or peace in spirituality.

Dr S Dube DMP, PhD

Founder and Life Executive Member of the Society.

Former Faculty – Department of Psychiatry  

AIIMS, New Delhi