ABSTRACT
Background: Despite the growing evidence that trauma-focused treatments can be applied as first-line approaches for individuals with childhood trauma-related PTSD (Ch-PTSD), many therapists are still reluctant to provide trauma-focused treatments as a first-choice intervention for individuals with Ch-PTSD, especially by telehealth. The current manuscript will therefore give an overview of the evidence for the effectiveness of trauma-focused therapies for individuals with Ch-PTSD, the delivery of trauma-focused treatments via telehealth, and a case example on how a specific form of trauma focused therapy: Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) can be applied by telehealth. Method: This article presents a clinical illustration of a blended telehealth trajectory of imagery rescripting (ImRs) Ch-PTSD delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The presented case shows that ImRs can be safely and effectively performed by telehealth for ch-PTSD, no stabilization phase was needed and only seven sessions were needed to drastically reduce Ch-PTSD and depressive symptoms, and to increase quality of life. Conclusion: This case report shows the effectiveness of ImRs by telehealth for Ch-PTSD, which gives hope and additional possibilities to reach out to patients with ch-PTDS. Telehealth treatment might have some of advantages for specific patients, especially, but certainly not only, during the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Samenvatting Nu de COVID-19-pandemie steeds meer geïntegreerd raakt in het dagelijks leven en het aantal ziekenhuisopnamen afneemt, krijgen we meer zicht op de mentale gevolgen van de pandemie voor zorgprofessionals in de geestelijke gezondheidszorg (ggz). Van de ondervraagde ggz-medewerkers (N = 1.372) ervaart 50% meer stressgerelateerde klachten en vertoont 30% somberheidsklachten. Tegelijkertijd melden zich meer cliënten met klachten als direct en indirect gevolg van de COVID-19-pandemie bij de ggz. Dit zorgt voor extra werkdruk in een sector waar de wachtlijsten toch al lang waren. Om uitval en/of vertrek van zorgprofessionals uit de ggz te voorkomen is het nodig om te leren omgaan met de consequenties van de pandemie in de spreekkamer en om met preventiemaatregelen stress/burn-out te voorkomen. Digitaal aanvullende content De online versie van dit artikel (10.1007/s12508-022-00353-y) bevat aanvullend materiaal, toegankelijk voor daartoe geautoriseerde gebruikers.
ABSTRACT
While the COVID-19 pandemic integrates more and more into daily life and hospitalizations decrease, the consequence for mental health care personnel is becoming clearer. 50% of the employees in mental health care institutes experience stress and 30% have signs of depression. Simultaneously more patients present themselves at the mental health care institutes with complaints as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This increases workload even more while the waiting lists are already very long. To prevent sick leave and/or even resigning, social support in the working environment, prevention measures for mental complaints, and support have to be initiated by every level of the mental health care institutes.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Delivery of psychological therapies via telehealth has increased with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therapists may be hesitant in moving to telehealth when delivering therapies targeting memories of traumatic experiences. This paper collates the clinical experiences of clinicians and clients who have delivered or received imagery rescripting, respectively, via telehealth across a range of clinical presentations, and describes key clinical considerations and recommendations. RECENT FINDINGS: It is important to consider perceived and real safety; practical and technological issues; therapeutic alliance; depth of emotional processing; and dissociation. There was support for the delivery of imagery rescripting via telehealth being no less effective than face-to-face delivery; however, telehealth delivery was not a viable option for many clients during COVID-19 lockdowns who were living in high density housing, old houses with thin walls, or with some complex disorders.