Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining text from text-based messages sent between a patient and a therapist providing psychological therapy; determining at least one feature of the text; and determining a characteristic of the patient and/or the therapist using the at least one feature.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method may comprise obtaining text from text-based instant messages sent between a patient and a therapist providing psychological therapy to treat a depression and/or anxiety disorder, wherein the patient is remotely situated relative to the therapist during sending of the text-based instant messages; determining at least one feature of the text by, at least, applying a text mining/analytics process to the text from the text-based instant messages; converting the at least one feature into a characteristic of the patient and/or the therapist, wherein the characteristic relates to a predicted outcome of therapy, a risky behavior by the patient, predicted drop-out by the patient, and/or a performance of the therapist; and transmitting the characteristic to the therapist and/or a supervisor of the therapist.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a computer-based system for providing psychological therapy, the apparatus comprising: an access system configured to control access to features and data by users of remote devices, wherein the users comprise patients, therapists and supervisors; and a therapy system configured to enable text-based instant messages to be sent between patients and therapists; wherein the access system is configured to allow patients to retrieve messages sent and received by the patient, therapists to retrieve messages sent and received by the therapist, and supervisors to retrieve messages sent and received by particular patients and/or therapists.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining text from text-based messages sent between a patient and a therapist providing psychological therapy; determining at least one feature of the text; and determining a characteristic of the patient and/or the therapist using the at least one feature.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining text from text-based messages sent between a patient and a therapist providing psychological therapy; determining at least one feature of the text; and determining a characteristic of the patient and/or the therapist using the at least one feature.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a computer-based system for providing psychological therapy, the apparatus comprising: an access system configured to control access to features and data by users of remote devices, wherein the users comprise patients, therapists and supervisors; and a therapy system configured to enable text-based instant messages to be sent between patients and therapists; wherein the access system is configured to allow patients to retrieve messages sent and received by the patient, therapists to retrieve messages sent and received by the therapist, and supervisors to retrieve messages sent and received by particular patients and/or therapists.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining text from text-based messages sent between a patient and a therapist providing psychological therapy; determining at least one feature of the text; and determining a characteristic of the patient and/or the therapist using the at least one feature.