Clinical assessment, computerized methods, and instrumentation constitutes the seventh volume of the Computer in Psychology series. This book contains eighteen contributions from the workshop 'Computers in Psychology', held in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

The first section of this book includes contributions concerning clinical assessment. Aspects such as short-term memory, spatial memory, counseling skills and play therapy are described, as well as computer-assisted observational analysis using eye blinks. In the second section, a series of computer programs supporting decision-making in psychotherapy and diagnostics, in clinical and other settings, is described. The last section deals with real-time aspects of computers and computer-controlled experimental setups.

The book contains a chapter written by Martine F. Delfos: The Conquered Giant: The Use of the Computer in Play Therapy.

The computer plays an important role in every day life. It could represent a powerful tool in play therapy, but play therapists still lag behind in their use of computers in general. Children handle the computer with much more ease than adults. Boys are more attracted to computers than girls. They are especially fascinated by aggressive computer games. The learning potential of the computer is seemingly endless but several risks exists, as the addictive power and the moral adult world of internet is not adapted to the young child. The pace of the computer fits the modern child well. In play therapy the computer can be very useful in the treatment of problems like anxiety, aggression management, ADHD, but also as a general tool. It can further 'automatic writing' and help the child express inner turmoil.