The Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Psychological Counseling and Psychotherapy: History, Problems, and Prospects

This article provides a theoretical overview of the use of information and communication technologies in psychological counseling and psychotherapy. The history of development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in the provision of psychological aid is shown. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of information and communication technologies on the part of the psychologist as well as on the part of the client are noted. The results of a survey of respondents who have applied for psychological aid and those who have not are presented. Their vision of the possibility of using information and communication technologies in psychological work. The data obtained in both groups shows that artificial intelligence cannot fully replace work with a psychologist. At the same time, they note that various services based on artificial intelligence can be useful in short-term work. Also, both groups agree that there is no sense of privacy when working online. Survey participants for the most part prefer the traditional form of working with a psychologist in an office, face-to-face setting. The group with experience working with a psychologist felt that there was a difference when seeing a psychologist in person or online. For the inexperienced group, there are no such differences. But they do see differences in topics when it comes to working with a specialist or artificial intelligence-based services.