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Therapists' Perspectives on the Use, Barriers, and Facilitators of Digital Mental Health Interventions and Extended Reality in the Treatment of OCD.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Therapists' Perspectives on the Use, Barriers, and Facilitators of Digital Mental Health Interventions and Extended Reality in the Treatment of OCD.
Authors: Browning, Lauren E., Chang, Alexandria H., Boyle, Nathan M., Ramsey, Kesley A., McGuire, Joseph F.
Source: Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy. 2025, Vol. 39 Issue 4, p295-305. 11p.
Subjects: Mobile apps, Desensitization (Psychotherapy), Cross-sectional method, Psychotherapist attitudes, Digital health, Mindfulness, Decision making in clinical medicine, Telepsychology, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Exposure therapy, Professions, Clinical competence, Research methodology, Virtual reality therapy, Needs assessment, Data analysis software, Augmented reality, Mixed reality
Abstract: Although exposure with response prevention (ERP) is the frontline treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), several challenges exist in its implementation. Emerging technologies, including mobile health (mHealth) apps and extended reality (XR), offer innovative solutions to overcome these challenges. In response, we surveyed OCD therapists to establish the utilization of emerging technologies in clinical practice and investigate accompanying barriers. A total of 223 therapists reported their use, interest, and perceived barriers regarding mHealth and XR tools in clinical practice. While 62.1% presently reported using mHealth apps—mostly mindfulness and mood tracking—fewer therapists used them for ERP-specific tasks. Despite high interest in XR by OCD therapists, only 9.1% had used XR in ERP. Barriers to technology utilization included lack of knowledge, limited training, and uncertainty about evidence to support use. Findings highlight a need for clinical resources, therapist training, and further research to determine how to optimize the implementation of ERP using novel technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Although exposure with response prevention (ERP) is the frontline treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), several challenges exist in its implementation. Emerging technologies, including mobile health (mHealth) apps and extended reality (XR), offer innovative solutions to overcome these challenges. In response, we surveyed OCD therapists to establish the utilization of emerging technologies in clinical practice and investigate accompanying barriers. A total of 223 therapists reported their use, interest, and perceived barriers regarding mHealth and XR tools in clinical practice. While 62.1% presently reported using mHealth apps—mostly mindfulness and mood tracking—fewer therapists used them for ERP-specific tasks. Despite high interest in XR by OCD therapists, only 9.1% had used XR in ERP. Barriers to technology utilization included lack of knowledge, limited training, and uncertainty about evidence to support use. Findings highlight a need for clinical resources, therapist training, and further research to determine how to optimize the implementation of ERP using novel technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:08898391
DOI:10.1891/JCP-2025-0022