Medscape: Internet CBT Bests Internet-Based Supportive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder in Youth

A study out of Sweden showed that internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) was more efficacious and cost-effective than internet-based support therapy (ISUPPORT) for social-anxiety disorder (SAD) in young people.

Reuters Health interviewed mental health experts for their reaction to the study. Maria Espinola, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine offered some thoughts.

"Given the association between untreated mental health disorders and poor health outcomes, educational underachievement, poverty, shortened life expectancy, and incarceration, youth mental illness constitutes a serious public-health concern," Espinola told Reuters Health.

"It's important to embrace cost-effective, technology-augmented, easily disseminated therapeutic interventions that can help us reach everyone in need of care," said Espinola.

Nonetheless, she added, "We have to remember that this is a low-intensity treatment that was developed as a first step and cannot substitute for face-to-face treatment."

The entire Reuters Health story is available online.

Learn more about Maria Espinola, PsyD, online.

Featured image of Maria Espinola, PsyD, taken by Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand.