ABSTRACT
It is obvious that both medications and psychotherapies work for many psychiatric disorders. Both modalities produce changes in neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, brain structures, and functioning. Despite treatment decision trees so plentiful it is difficult to see the forest, it remains difficult to predict for whom either modality or their combination will work best or be most acceptable. We remain guided largely by empirical trials with each patient, evaluating patient preference, risk/benefit ratio, past response, availability, and cost. Consideration of combination and augmentation therapies begins with this background of justifiable humility. Substitution of computer-based psychotherapies for human psychotherapists adds another variable in treatment decision making. This chapter addresses many of the issues regarding the development, evaluation, and implementation of computer-based psychotherapies and their combination with medications. We begin by considering medication combinations with psychotherapies provided by clinicians.
