Alive&Well - a Compuer program in the service of emotional well-being

Alive&Well is a computer program designed to help its' users to better deal with their life issues. The user enters the issue in question into the program that utilizes proven cognitive therapy principles and the power of computer processing to help the user gain new perspectives on their issues.

Alive&Well contains a vast database of wisdom, humor, common sense and comforting words, which not only responds directly to the issue, but even adapts itself over time to the users particular preferences and needs.

What does one gain from working with Alive&Well? n________________________________________________

Users have to clearly define and formulate their issues. They receive, from the program, various responses from different perspectives. They consider the effect of the responses through being in touch with their feelings and thoughts, and assess themselves. When they feel ready, users summarize their new attitude towards the issue, make decisions and set fresh coping strategies accordingly.

By using the program regularly, users become accustomed to dealing with their issues as they arise, thus avoiding the detrimental effect of letting things mount up. This new habit saves energy and reduces stress, thus improving users' overall quality of life.

A&W - How does it work?
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Alive&Well draws on various psychotherapeutic and self-help techniques which have been proven to be effective in stimulating change and helping people make progress with the issues in their lives.

Alive&Well can be seen as a kind of virtual support group. Four characters, each with his or her own style, perspective and character; always friendly, communicative and available to offer responses for your issue.

There are also similarities to bibliotherapy, where the user reads a book that relates to the current theme in his or her life and works on issues through identifying with the plot and the characters. While working with Alive&Well, the user is presented with personalized and concentrated themes through relevant responses.

Alive&Well draws on various elements of cognitive psychotherapy. It requires the user to define his or her issue in a focused and clear manner in order to submit it to Alive&Well, which, per se, is an important part of the process. Integrating pieces of information, and finding connections between the issue and the responses provided by the virtual friends requires re-examination and reframing of the issue. This is designed to spur the user into finding different perspectives and alte
ative methods of dealing with the newly arranged information.

The fact that users will find some responses annoying, unexpected, frustrating or intriguing resembles the paradoxical approach of cognitive therapy, encouraging reformulation of issues.

Psychodynamic theories focus on the necessity of declaring and confronting issues and emotions. While working with Alive&Well, the user directly faces his or her life issues through the responses provided. The user is encouraged to define the emotions aroused by this confrontation during the process, and summarize the type and level of progress he or she has achieved at the end of each session. It resembles the psychodynamic process of working with the insights evoked by confrontation. Regular use of the program can lead to greater confidence in tackling issues head-on as they arise - thus avoiding the detrimental effect of letting issues mount up.

There are a number of elements specific to Alive&Well that we believe contribute to its effectiveness: The fact that the user works alone is likely to reduce psychological resistance to the process of dealing with life issues. In addition, the user is in control of the duration and depth of the entire process, which is likely to lower anxiety and allow "safe" access to serious inner dialog.

Adopting computer as a tool for self-improvement is a revolutionary approach and it needs coaching and learning, establishing habits and most of all, an open mind. Living Software provides personal support through this process to all users to promote this new concept. Our support team includes professionals from the mental health field and technical experts aspiring to create the best possible match betwee
Alive&Well and the needs of its users. nnn