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Audio editing programs
Ranges from simple to sophisticated. Allows clinicians to digitally record
information, such as a relaxation tape and seamlessly edit out any errors,
eliminating the need for retakes. More sophisticated programs allow sound
effects, changing the pitch or rate of one's voice, and adding music or other
sound effects. Cost is free to moderately priced.
CDs or DVDs (commercially made)
Covers a broad range of interactive games with kids, teaching/coping
strategy tools, videos. Cost is nominal to expensive, depending on product.
CDs or DVDs (made by you)
Can make relaxation CD's, video demonstrations, have clients develop coping
strategies or view and rehearse exposure to specific events as part of treating
phobias, OCD, improving social skills. Can also make PowerPoints or animations,
even reviews of specific web sites and narrate them for clients to use as
homework. Cost is nominal to moderate for equipment and nominal for disc media.
Computer animation
Have clients create social stories, digital stories about relevant events or
as another way of expressing themselves and discussing important topics or past
events. Can use freely available avatars and animated characters to allow
clients to discuss events that would otherwise be too "close" or painful. Useful
for less verbal clients and those with attentional deficits or lower cognitive
abilities as well. Cost is free to expensive.
Computer-based programs for recording behavior or observations
Allows logging in of important behaviors occurring during testing, therapy,
or behavior observations. Cost is free to expensive.
Computer-based programs for administering psychological tests
Most common for attentional deficits, but can also involve assessment of
psychiatric disorders, rating scales, and neuropsychological measures.
Computerized assessment of both cognitive and academic functioning is available.
Cost is moderate to very expensive.
Computer-based programs for scoring and/or interpretation of
psychological tests
Most assessment measures now have scoring and interpretive software that
increase accuracy, allow for more sophisticated analyses, and save clinicians
time. Some are included with test purchase, otherwise cost is moderate to
expensive.
Computer-based treatment programs
Treatments exist on DVD and online for smoking cessation, drinking, anxiety
disorders, behavior problems, depression, teaching language and communication,
and completing home, just to name a few. Cost is free to expensive.
Data projectors
Used to display computer or video images on a wall, although
battery-operated units now exist and hand-held units should be available soon.
Useful for collaborating or presenting information to small groups up to large
audiences. Wireless versions available. Cost is moderate to very expensive.
Databases (not for billing)
Useful for creating references for frequently accessed information, tracking
progress, note-taking, creating standardized reports. Cost is free to very
expensive, depending on required features and capacity.
Dedicated note-taking hardware (e.g., AlphaSmart)
Larger than a PDA, more portable than a laptop, it has a small screen that
allows clinicians to take notes without the bulkiness of even ultra-portable
laptops. Primarily for text, with some dedicated programs, these machines are
virtually impervious to viruses, spam and other other problems. Most have
wireless capabilities and limited internet surfing capabilities. Often includes
the same kinds of utility programs found on PDAs and Smartphones. Cost moderate.
Digital audio recording
Includes small recorders that have essentially replaced tape recorders. Data
is stored on memory cards or on internal chips (cards typically allow for more
flexibility. Can be connected to computers and other devices to transfer files,
load onto ITunes, IPods, or other digital sound players, sometimes called MP3
players. May also include more sophisticated methods, recording narrations
and/or sounds to be incorporated into a larger multi-media production. Finally,
quality varies considerably, primarily based on how the data is captured and the
quality of the microphones built into the units. Cost, inexpensive to moderately
expensive.
Digital camera
Today's cameras are capable of taking high quality pictures, producing
decent quality video (sound quality, usually is the biggest drawback, can be
resolved by using a portable digital sound recorder and "synching up" the two
files using a video editing program (see below). Cameras can also be used to
record audio only, making them excellent "all-in-one" devices. Cost is moderate
to expensive.
Digital pen
Looks like a regular pen, but they are actually devices for recording any
graphical information for which a pen could normally be used. Not appropriate
for artwork, but excellent for capturing writing and simple designs. They
require use of special papers, however they can also be used as a portable
completion program. Takes times to figure out how to use them effectively. Just
like a camera, information is transferred to a computer for further processing.
Cost is inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Digital video
From small digital cameras that take video to TV/movie quality cameras, they
can be used to capture client images, produce animation, capture sound. See
Computer animation for additional uses. Can capture clients practicing coping
strategies, relaxation, anger management. Spawned an entire field of research,
"feed-forward" and more recently, "video modeling."
Email
Almost as commonly used as the telephone, excellent for quick communication,
reminders, and other simple, typically one-way messages or limited exchanges.
Some clients prefer "email therapy," but this is a small percentage. Security
and confidentiality concerns exist. Free to expensive, depending on
capabilities.
Fax machine
Can be stand-alone, meaning it is only for sending faxes, or can have copier
and scanning capabilities. The latter allows for transferring documents into
computers for later retrieval or archiving. There are also online fax systems
that will receive faxes which users can view, print, or download as graphics
files. In general, quality, speed, and capacity are main factors differentiating
products. Costs is inexpensive to expensive.
Flowcharting software
Can be used for explaining complex treatments or assessment strategies. Also
useful to help client develop a structured, clear approach for problem solving
or coping. "Mind-mapping" flowcharts make use of graphical elements to
immediately draw in clients. Some can even be used to have client graphically
outline their home environment. Combined with photos brought into sessions, this
can be a powerful tool to learn more about clients' home environment and elicit
additional information. Cost is free to expensive.
Immersive visual environments (e.g., computer goggles, large or
multiple display screens)
Helpful for creating a "life-like" situation for the client to view or
experience situations that would otherwise be impractical to do as part of an
"in vivo" session.
Instant messaging or real-time chat systems
More useful than email for engaging in a remote verbal exchange, the mode
that many teens prefer over the telephone. Can also be combined with online
conferencing tools to allow participants to ask questions in real-time and
receive replies by return IM or spoken responses by the presenter.
Online forms for feedback, contact, or progress monitoring
Can be used for tracking behavior and progress, creating tutorials, graphing
data, and gathering information. Many have additional built-in features and
integrate with other programs. Cost is free to expensive.
Online storage for clients to access forms
Intake forms, histories, behavior monitoring and other forms can be created
and sent as email links by clinicians or be made available as part of a website.
Cost is free to moderately expensive.
Online word processing, spreadsheets, or presentation software
Allows
clinicians to create, edit, share, and collaborate on documents and
presentations. Cost is free to moderately expensive.
PDA based behavior recording systems
Similar to
computer-based systems (see above) but in a more convenient form factor. Cost is
inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Portable technology for recording behavior or observations
See
Digital Pens and PDA based devices (above).
Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint)
Typically part of
a "suite" of programs, available for PC, Mac, and PDA devices. Also online tools
for creating presentations has advanced markedly in the past couple of years.
This type of software is excellent for creating client tutorials and
computer-based or online "flash cards." Cost is inexpensive to moderately
expensive.
Report-writing software
Takes data from spreadsheets and
databases and allows user to generate reports. Vast array of product types and
capabilities. Some of the most powerful and useful ones are advertised for
business, but useful for psychologists. Cost moderate to very expensive.
Screen image capture software
Allows capture of web-based
information, public domain photographs, can even make movies from captured
material. Most have built-in editing. Cost is free to moderately expensive.
Smart Boards
Combines the features of a data projector and a
touch screen. Very useful for presentations, can also be used effectively with
clients (that's why most teachers who have seen this want one). Cost expensive to
very expensive.
Software for making digital sound files (MP3, WAV files)
See
audio editing program.
Spreadsheet software
Like word processors and presentation programs,
typically part of an office suite. Available both in desktop (computer-based)
and online (web) versions. Useful for tracking data, as in a database, analyzing
data, and creating graphs. Most psychologists use a tiny fraction of the
capabilities of this software. Cost is free to moderately expensive.
Telephone (cellular)
Can mimic many of functions of portable
computer or PDA, in addition to being a cell phone. Many add on programs are
available that enhance "todo" list capabilities and other useful functions for
clinicians. Cost is free to expensive.
Telephone (landline)
Can be single line, multi-line, or
combine wireless headphone and regular phone capabilities. What used to cost
thousands in features is now available at reasonable cost. Cost is inexpensive
to expensive.
Telephone (VOIP, e.g., Skype)
Can use the internet to make
phone calls. Voice quality is close to that of regular phones, but there is more
likely to be occasional problems. Cost of calls is free to nominal, compared to
regular phone and cell phone plans. Cost of equipment is inexpensive to
moderately expensive.
Video conferencing
Allows one to one or group
communications. Not all participants need to have cameras, although most newer
computers have them built-in. Can also be used to give a webinar (seminar over
the web). Cost is free to expensive, depending on features required.
Video editing programs
Edits, adds effects, and combines
digital video (and sound) from video devices. Increasingly, online programs are
becoming available. See Digital Cameras and Digital Video for more details. Cost
is free to expensive.
Virtual reality programs
Initially used to treat PTSD, now used for burn victims, eating disorders,
ADHD, and a broad range of anxiety and related problems. Client wears a
helmet or goggles that transports them into a "virtual" environment where they
can see in all directions, even touch objects and receive feedback. Cost,
expensive to very expensive.
Web sites specifically for clients
Clinicians are increasingly using webs as the new "Yellow Pages." They
can inform clients about specific specialties, experience, keep a web log or
blog, promote seminars, provide resources, even post office policies and a
"contact me" form. Cost is free to expensive.
Word processing software
As with spreadsheets and presentation programs, often comes as part of a
"suite" of programs. Very versatile, probably the single program that
every psychologist uses. However, can also be used to create index card
tutorials for clients, business cards, newsletters, even web pages without
requiring programming experience.
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