Melbourne: Melbourne-based Swinburne
University has launched a unique online treatment clinic for
people with anxiety disorder.
The online assessment and treatment clinic has been
developed by the University`s National eTherapy Centre and is
said to be one of its kind in the world.
"Anxiety Online is the first full-service online
psychology clinic in the world," David Austin, Co-Director of
the National eTherapy Centre said in a statement.
"It is the first to offer a complete service online, from
assessment through to clinical treatment, in the convenience
of a person`s own home" he said.
The service includes free online psychological
assessments, diagnoses and educational information on anxiety
disorders such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic
Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Social Phobia.
"The service can be accessed by people from remote and
regional areas anywhere in the world, people who don`t have a
choice in regards to accessing face-to-face psych services
because they simply don’t exist," Austin said.
Austin also expects the online treatment service will
appeal to people who aren`t comfortable visiting a therapist
face-to-face.
"Our experiences to date suggest people participate in
online treatment services for a number of reasons. It helps
people avoid the social stigma associated with many anxiety
disorders, and it is often more convenient and accessible," he
said.
Users are given a unique login and password and after an
initial online assessment can access a free 12-week
self-directed program based on their diagnosed disorder.
Anxiety Online is provided by the National eTherapy
Centre at Swinburne University of Technology and is funded by
Australia’s Federal Department of Health and Ageing.
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