Business as usual? Psychological support at a distance. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Payne, Lara; Flannery, Halina; Kambakara Gedara, Chandrika; Daniilidi, Xeni; Hitchcock, Megan; Lambert, Danielle; Taylor, Charlotte; Christie, Deborah
• Is Part Of: Clinical child psychology and psychiatry. Volume 25:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 672
• Page End: 686
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: E-therapies -- remote therapies -- telepsychology -- telemental health -- covid-19 -- psychological support -- face-to-face therapies -- paediatric psychology; Clinical child psychology -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.9289
• DOI: 10.1177/1359104520937378
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1045

Abstract

The impact of COVID-19 has challenged the long accepted 'norm' in delivery of psychological therapy. Public policies designed to reduce transmission have made it extremely difficult to meet with service-users safely in the traditional face-to-face context. E-therapies have existed in theory and practice since technological progress has made them possible. They can offer a host of advantages over face-to-face equivalents, including improved access, greater flexibility for service-users and professionals, and cost savings. However, despite the emerging evidence and anticipated positive value, implementation has been slower than anticipated. Concerns have been raised by service-users, clinicians, and public health organisations, identifying significant barriers to the wide spread use of e-therapies. In the current climate, many clinicians are offering e-therapies for the first time, without prior arrangement or training, as the only viable option to continue to support their clients. This paper offers a clinically relevant review of the e-therapies literature, including effectiveness and acceptability dilemmas and challenges that need to be addressed to support the safe use and growth of e-therapies in psychology services. Further research is needed to better understand what might be lost and what gained in comparison to face-to-face therapy, and for which client groups and settings it might be most effective.