Objective: Experts forecast that the Internet will bring about radical change in healthcare. This paper aims to summarise evidence concerning the efficacy of Internet-based programs in the delivery of mental health care and its implications for mental health professionals. It also describes those Internet programs which are both of demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of anxiety or depression and available without restriction or cost to the public.
Conclusions: There is evidence that Internet-based programs can improve a range of mental health conditions. Some of these programs could be used by psychiatrists and other mental health professionals as an adjunct to clinician-based treatment. However, clinicians need to know which programs work and how they can be accessed.