title: Computer-Based and Online Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of computer-based and online therapies (e-therapy) to treat children and adolescents with depression and/or anxiety, and to outline programs that are evidence based or currently being researched.
  
  
  METHODS
  We began by defining the topic and highlighting the issues at the forefront of the field. We identified computer and Internet-based interventions designed to prevent or treat depression or anxiety that were tested with children and young people <18 years of age (or inclusive of this age range together with emerging adults). We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We summarized available relevant systematic reviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is an increasing body of evidence that supports the use of computers and the Internet in the provision of interventions for depression and anxiety in children and adolescents. A number of programs have been shown to be effective in well-designed RCTs. Replication and long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are now a range of effective computerized interventions for young people with depression and anxiety. This is likely to impact positively on attempts to make psychological therapies widely available to children and young people. We expect to see increased program sophistication and a proliferation of programs in the coming years. Research efforts, when developing programs, need to align with technological advances to maximize appeal. Implementation research is needed to determine the optimal modes of delivery and effectiveness of e-therapies in clinical practice. Given the large number of unproven program on the Internet, ensuring that there is clear information for patients about evidence for individual programs is likely to present a challenge.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychological Medicine, The Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand .
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stasiak
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychological Medicine, The Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand .|2 Department of Pediatrics: Child and Youth Health, The Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Department of Psychological Medicine University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand .
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychological Medicine, The Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand .|5 Department of Health and Social Care, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Mathijs F G
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lucassen
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Counselling, Human Services, and Social Work, University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand .
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.affiliation: 4 National Institute for Health Innovation, University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand .
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychological Medicine, The Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand .
authors.forename: Sally N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Merry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*