Grappling with our therapeutic relationship and professional self-doubt during COVID-19: will we use video therapy again?

Doorn, Katie Aafjes‐van; Békés, Vera; Prout, Tracy A.

doi:10.1080/09515070.2020.1773404

Cited by 141 publications

(174 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Due to the rapid onset of COVID-19 restrictions, the shift to electronic service provision happened very quickly (Doorn et al 2020;Olwill et al 2020;Razai et al 2020;Walter-McCabe 2020). With virtually no notice, social workers were required to transition to using ICTs to replace face-to-face services and all communication with clients.…”

Section: Covid-19: Ict Use In Clinical Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

“…With virtually no notice, social workers were required to transition to using ICTs to replace face-to-face services and all communication with clients. Without proper training or support on providing this treatment (Doorn et al 2020), social service providers are left with many questions about how they can appropriately use technology to bridge the gap caused by COVID-19 (Wright and Caudill 2020). Nevertheless, social service providers have demonstrated a great deal of creativity in their use of technology to deliver services and maintain relationships with clients, and to provide continuity of care, necessary emotional support and communication (Boahen 2020;Farkas and Romaniuk 2020;Galea et al 2020).…”

Section: Covid-19: Ict Use In Clinical Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

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Responding to COVID-19: New Trends in Social Workers’ Use of Information and Communication Technology

et al. 2020

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COVID-19 changed the context for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use globally. With face-to-face practice restricted, almost all communication with clients shifted to ICTs. Starting in April 2019, we conducted semi-structured interviews with social workers from four agencies serving diverse populations in a large urban centre, with the aim of exploring social workers’ informal ICT use with clients. Approximately 6 weeks after the cessation of face-to-face practice in March 2020 due to COVID-19 measures, we re-interviewed social workers (n = 11) who had participated in our study. Second interviews were based on a newly developed interview guide that explored social workers’ use of ICTs with clients in the context of COVID-19. Analysis of transcribed interviews revealed that the context of COVID-19 had generated two main themes. One, a paradigm shift for social workers was characterized by (a) diverse ICT options, (b) client-driven approach, and (c) necessary creativity. The second theme entails the impact of this transition which involved (a) greater awareness of clients’ degree of access, (b) confidentiality and privacy, and (c) professional boundaries. We discuss these themes and sub-themes and present implications for practice and research in a Post-COVID-19 world.

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Section: Covid-19: Ict Use In Clinical Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Covid-19: Ict Use In Clinical Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Responding to COVID-19: New Trends in Social Workers’ Use of Information and Communication Technology

et al. 2020

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“…• Provide written guidelines or a tip sheet to clients about the above preparation in advance of sessions, to optimize their ability to create a safe and supportive space to engage in online therapy. One study suggested that preparation and support offered to the client through the transition of the pandemic allowed therapists to feel more positively about online therapy and supported the alliance to be sustained (Aafjes-van Doorn et al, 2020).…”

Section: Optimizing Clients Presencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…They can be distracted in an online environment. Therapists have technological challenges and report feeling more tired and experiencing professional self-doubt and loss of confidence working in this new way (Aafjes-van Doorn, Békés, & Prout, 2020). Many therapists have also had to cope with their own personal anxiety, grief, and trauma related to the pandemic while supporting their clients to do the same.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cultivating online therapeutic presence: strengthening therapeutic relationships in teletherapy sessions

Geller

2020

Counselling Psychology Quarterly

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With the recent global pandemic, therapists have had to shift their psychotherapy practice online, as they have been unable to maintain a face to face relationship due to physical distancing measures. This has created an immediate need to understand how to build and maintain strong therapeutic relationships while navigating this new online therapeutic environment. With the removal of face to face therapy, there is a question of how the therapeutic relationship is to be maintained and fostered over the internet, through considering the necessity of cultivating and maintaining therapeutic presence. This article will discuss therapeutic presence as a precondition to effective therapeutic relationships and a positive therapeutic alliance. An exploration will follow of the challenges of cultivating therapeutic presence in online therapy ; followed by tips to encourage and support both the therapist and the client to remain present while engaging in telepsychotherapy. A final discussion will include implications for future research and clinical training for cultivating presence in telepsychotherapy as well as integrating what has been learned during the pandemic back into face to face sessions.

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“…The current global COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted mental health worldwide. In order to respond most effectively to this emergency, an immediate international response from mental health professionals is needed ( Aafjes-van Doorn et al, 2020 ; Conversano et al, 2020b ; Fisher et al, 2020 ; Holmes et al, 2020 ; Muratori and Ciacchini, 2020 ). Researchers across the world are promptly trying to address this issue by screening the psychological impact of social distancing and quarantining ( Brooks et al, 2020 ; Orrù et al, 2020 ; Poli et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mindfulness, Age and Gender as Protective Factors Against Psychological Distress During COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2020

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Objective: Mindfulness disposition is associated with various psychological factors and prevents emotional distress in chronic diseases. In the present study, we analyzed the key role of mindfulness dispositions in protecting the individual against psychological distress consequent to COVID-19 social distancing and quarantining. Methods: An online survey was launched on March 13, 2020, with 6,412 responses by April 6, 2020. Socio-demographic information, exposure to the pandemic, and quarantining were assessed together with psychological distress and mindfulness disposition. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to study the influence of predictive factors on psychological distress and quality of life in Italian responders during the early days of lockdown. Pearson correlations were calculated to study the relationship between mindfulness and psychiatric symptoms. Results: Multivariate linear regression run on socio-demographics, COVID-19-related variables, and mindfulness disposition as moderators of overall psychological distress showed that mindfulness was the best predictor of psychological distress (β = −0.504; p < 0.0001). High negative correlations were found between mindfulness disposition and the overall Global Severity Index (r = −0.637; p < 0.0001), while moderate to high associations were found between mindfulness and all SCL-90 sub-scales. Discussion: Findings showed that high dispositional mindfulness enhances wellbeing and helps in dealing with stressful situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness-based mental training could represent an effective intervention to stem post-traumatic psychopathological beginnings and prevent the onset of chronic mental disorders.

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Grappling with our therapeutic relationship and professional self-doubt during COVID-19: will we use video therapy again?

Cited by 141 publications

References 31 publications

Responding to COVID-19: New Trends in Social Workers’ Use of Information and Communication Technology

Responding to COVID-19: New Trends in Social Workers’ Use of Information and Communication Technology

Cultivating online therapeutic presence: strengthening therapeutic relationships in teletherapy sessions

Mindfulness, Age and Gender as Protective Factors Against Psychological Distress During COVID-19 Pandemic

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