Open AccessBusiness as usual? Psychological support at a distance
Author(s) -
Lara Payne,
Halina Flannery,
Chandrika Kambakara Gedara,
Xeni Daniilidi,
Megan Hitchcock,
Danielle Lambert,
Charlotte M. Taylor,
Deborah Christie
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
clinical child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1461-7021
pISSN - 1359-1045
DOI - 10.1177/1359104520937378
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , flexibility (engineering) , service delivery framework , service (business) , psychology , medicine , face to face , public relations , marketing , business , political science , paleontology , philosophy , statistics , mathematics , epistemology , biology
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.