The exploration of the effectiveness of group therapy through an Internet chat as aftercare: a controlled naturalistic study.

Background: Modern communication technologies offer novel opportunities for the provision of stepped care for patients with mental disorders. This study investigated the effectiveness of group therapy delivered through an Internet chat following inpatient treatment. The main goal of the program was to reduce the risk of losing the therapeutic benefits achieved during the preceding inpatient treatment.

[New bridges for gaps in psychotherapeutic service provision by the internet: hopes, challenges and a solution].

Modern communication technologies such as internet, e-mail or SMS open up new possibilities for the optimization of the psychotherapeutic service provision. However, their use places new challenges. Ethical and legal requirements must be considered, technical and communicative aspects must be integrated into supplying concepts.