Use of technology for note taking and therapeutic alliance

Is psychotherapeutic alliance helped or harmed by using an iPad or computer during an intake session? Two studies are reported where psychotherapists use one of three different technologies in semistructured initial interviews: paper and pen, iPad, or a computer. The studies were conducted at a Primary Care Clinic and a Community Mental Health Clinic to provide a broader context to account for recent behavioral health integration into medical settings in addition to a traditional psychotherapy setting. The Primary Care Study consisted of 60 participants from a behavioral health service at a primary care clinic. The Community Mental Health Study involved 55 participants from a community mental health clinic in semirural Oregon. No differences were found for the three technologies in either study. Practice and training implications are offered.