Business as usual? Psychological support at a distance
Date
2020
Journal Title
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Clinical child psychology and psychiatry
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.
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Keywords
telemental health, COVID 19, psychological support, therapy, telepsychology, International resources, United Kingdom
Citation
Payne, L., Flannery, H., Kambakara Gedara, C., Daniilidi, X., Hitchcock, M., Lambert, D., ... & Christie, D. (2020). Business as usual? Psychological support at a distance. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 25(3), 672-686.