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1.
Virtual art therapy: Research and practice ; : 26-35, 2022.
Article in English | APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-20244414

ABSTRACT

The lack of literature on online art therapy and research participants' remarks about feeling underprepared to transition to teletherapy underscores that more research must be conducted on the subject. Going forward, graduate-level coursework in the field should address virtual art therapy and training on how to conduct art therapy online should be implemented. Other opportunities to learn about virtual therapy may include consulting with other clinicians and completing online training programs for tele counselling. This chapter offers suggestions and raises ethical considerations for a tele art therapy practice. Online approaches to art therapy are novel and it uses the terms virtual, online, and tele art therapy interchangeably. Tele art therapy, a subset of teletherapy, emerged in the late 1990s. The bulk of art therapy literature written before the COVID-19 pandemic focuses on implementing online computer programs that can be used to facilitate art therapy and adapting analogue art therapy practices to suit online platforms. In contrast, tele art therapy literature published during the pandemic includes surveys and descriptions of art therapy programs and services developed in response to stay-at-home orders. To conclude, the chapter offers suggestions and raise ethical considerations for online art therapy practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

2.
Frontiers in Virtual Reality ; 4, 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-20238599

ABSTRACT

Motivated by the unique experience of creating three-dimensional artworks in virtual reality (VR) and the need for teletherapy due to the global pandemic, we conducted this pilot case study to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of using a custom-designed collaborative virtual environment (CVE) to enable remote arts therapy. Three participants (two females and one male) experiencing moderate to high stress as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) joined this study. Each participant had eight 45-minute one-on-one sessions with the therapist for eight consecutive weeks. These eight sessions covered eight art creation themes and were delivered following pre-designed protocols. The CVE was the only medium to facilitate the sessions, during which the therapist and the participants were physically separated into two rooms. The quantitative and qualitative results suggested that the CVE-enabled approach was generally feasible and was welcomed by both the participants and the therapist. However, more evidence of the approach's effectiveness in enhancing the participants' mental wellbeing is needed because the results of the pilot case study were affected by the pandemic. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach and the CVE were investigated from practicality and technological affordance perspectives. Potential improvements to the CVE are also proposed to better facilitate the practice of remote arts therapy in CVE. We encourage future studies to cautiously investigate CVE-enabled remote arts therapy in clinical settings and collect more evidence regarding its effectiveness in addressing clinically diagnosed mental disorders and other complications. Copyright © 2023 Li and Yip.

3.
International Journal of Telerehabilitation ; 15(1), 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-20237681

ABSTRACT

In response to COVID-19, the New York City Early Intervention (EI) Program rapidly transitioned from in-person to teletherapy services. We describe the timing of service resumption among children who received EI services between March 1 and March 17, 2020. The proportion of children who transitioned to teletherapy-only was 25% as of March 24, rising to 78% by July 6. By December 31, 2020, 87% of the cohort had resumed either teletherapy or in-person services. Child age, race, language, and neighborhood poverty all predicted service resumption timing. Children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder were more likely to transition to teletherapy, and children with only 1-2 domains of delay were more likely to discontinue services altogether. Continuity of EI services during the COVID-19 public health emergency was a critical priority. Timely policy changes facilitated swift return to services and avoided exacerbation of the long-standing racial disparities in access to EI services. © 2023, University Library System, University of Pittsburgh. All rights reserved.

4.
Virtual art therapy: Research and practice ; : 64-77, 2022.
Article in English | APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-20233254

ABSTRACT

The Summer Arts Workshop (SAW) is a community-based art therapy program with a social justice focus. It has been offered through the Helen B. Landgarten (HBL) Art Therapy Clinic at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) since 2007 in partnership with Dolores Mission School in Boyle Heights, a historically under-resourced part of East Los Angeles. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders in Los Angeles, the SAW leadership team adapted the workshop to an online format. The authors took advantage of the online format to extend the reach of the workshop to several school sites in marginalized communities in Los Angeles County, including a juvenile hall high school, which is a prison for youth in a state youth detention centre. The greatest challenge in adapting to an online format was preserving the core component of the workshop: building trust and healthy attachments through expressive art making. The authors overcame this and other challenges and succeeded in providing connecting experiences for participants and facilitators during a time of social isolation and collective anxiety. This chapter shows how teletherapy can bridge gaps of access, particularly for marginalized populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

5.
Psychodyn Psychiatry ; 50(3): 476-491, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20242533

ABSTRACT

The authors discuss the loss of the traditional setting for psychotherapy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a natural experiment lasting 2 years, and the finding of new channels of communication for therapy using video and telephone platforms as well as outdoor therapy spaces. The manuscript explores the experience of both patients and therapists with these new channels and investigates how the external features of the therapy frame can be subjectively experienced by different people and within different therapeutic relationships. Through patient surveys, case vignettes, and discussions with colleagues, the authors conclude that for a large group of psychotherapy patients the new channels worked as well as and sometimes even better than the old in-person appointments and that an occasional in-person "booster" session can strengthen the therapeutic alliance of ongoing teletherapy.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic , Therapeutic Alliance , Humans , Pandemics , Professional-Patient Relations , Psychotherapy , Surveys and Questionnaires
6.
Sociol Health Illn ; 2023 Jun 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-20232593

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 crisis in the UK precipitated a sharp rise in the use of remote technologies to provide therapy during the lockdown. With mental health care services migrating to devices and video-conferencing platforms, nearly all forms of therapy had become 'teletherapy'. Drawing on interviews with UK-based practitioners, this paper explores how existing ideas of intimacy and presence are challenged when care is practiced at a distance. Against the background of concerns that remote technologies erode intimacy and degrade physical presence, the argument is made that presence, distance, intimacy and control are reconfigured within mediated therapy. Analysis of practitioners' experiences of teletherapy examines the material and expressive components of 'assemblages' characterised by their stable and fluid properties. Two assemblages are identified and discussed: emergency care assemblages and assemblages of intimacy, both of which are aligned with specific sectors of mental health care. Evidence that therapeutic encounters are constrained by technologies are considered alongside the material conditions and inequalities of vulnerable groups, while assemblages with relatively stable properties are generative of new ways of relating to clients online. These findings highlight the material and expressive components of human and nonhuman assemblages that create new kinds of affective relations in distanced care.

7.
Social workers' desk reference , 4th ed ; : 61-68, 2022.
Article in English | APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-2322225

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The virus is primarily spread between people during close contact via small virulent droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, and talking, with less common infection spread by touching a contaminated surface and then touching one's face. The coronavirus pandemic has also disrupted the provision of social work services ranging from child welfare and school social work to clinical and psychiatric social work. During the COVID-19 emergency, states and localities issued emergency stay-at-home orders requiring the temporary closure of nonessential businesses, including some private social work practices. As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, social work practice will adjust to the needs of the client groups. The most vulnerable and marginalized populations will experience greater impacts on their health;welfare;economic stability;and access to medical care, education, and technology. Social work will have a valuable role to play in the amelioration of negative impacts that are devastating the United States and the world. The infusion of telemedicine and teletherapy in social work practice seems inevitable, and it is hoped that these will provide an efficient and effective new social work practice modality. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

8.
J Telemed Telecare ; : 1357633X20986038, 2021 Jan 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2325821

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Telehealth and its usage strongly depend on regulatory frameworks and user acceptance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists and their patients experienced restrictions regarding the usual face-to-face therapy. Teletherapy has become a highly discussed medium for providing therapy services. This study aimed at assessing Austrian therapists' attitudes towards teletherapy, including perceived barriers, during and before the COVID-19 lockdown. Further interest referred to therapists' technical affinity and experiences with the application of teletherapy. METHODS: Therapists (n = 325) completed an online survey amid the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Retrospective indications referred to the time prior to the lockdown. Ratings were opposed across the three therapeutic professions. Subgroup analyses investigated the role of gender and age regarding technical affinity. Measures included custom-made attitudinal statements towards teletherapy and the standardized TA-EG survey. RESULTS: The COVID-19 lockdown caused attitude changes towards teletherapy - for example, in terms of interest (r = 0.57, p > 0.01), perceived skills for performance of teletherapy (r = 0.33, p > 0.01) and perceived need for physical contact with patients (r = 0.35, p > 0.01). Regarding technical affinity, women reported significantly higher values than men did (r = 0.32, p > 0.01). Nearly half of the participants already applied teletherapy, with mainly positive ratings regarding perceived skills and feasibility. Barriers identified were missing or unstable reimbursement policies by insurance companies and therapeutic software with guaranteed data security. DISCUSSION: Austrian therapists indicate a relatively high level of telehealth positivity, with an improvement in the course of the COVID-19 lockdown. However, therapists outline the need for stable reimbursement policies and secure software solutions.

9.
Revista de Psiquiatria Clinica ; 49(3):23-30, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2320626

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research study is to determine the impact of COVID-19 on access related to mental health services and also explain the use of teletherapy as an alternative form of treatment. This research study is based on secondary research data analysis to determine the research study data collected from websites related to the ratios of COVID-19 also that mental health services. Determine the research study used E-views software, and the generated result included descriptive statistics, correlations, the dickey fuller test analysis, the histogram, and state, also that explain the variance and test of equality between them. The overall result shows COVID-19 shows a direct impact on mental health services;teletherapy directly links with mental health services. Benefits make teletherapy the best online therapy session for overcoming various types of depression and mental illness in patients. Also, teletherapy is an alternative form of mental health service that is mostly provided to people affected due to the pandemic conditions of the coronavirus.Copyright © 2022, Universidade de Sao Paulo. Museu de Zoologia. All rights reserved.

10.
Psico USF ; 28(1): 117-132, Jan.-Mar. 2023. tab, graf
Article in English | WHO COVID, LILACS (Americas) | ID: covidwho-2314006

ABSTRACT

Evidence suggests that changes in online psychotherapy adherence factors occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to review the perception of patients and psychotherapists regarding factors associated with adherence to online psychotherapy during the pandemic. Thus, 18 articles remained for analysis after searches in five databases and 25 factors associated with adherence to online psychotherapy were identified. The main factors for psychotherapists were confidence in professional skills and connection stability. For the patients, basic informatics skills and finding an adequate setting to participate in sessions. Furthermore, the factors fear of contagion, tiredness and the impossibility of face-to-face meetings emerged during the pandemic. Modifications of factors associated with pre-pandemic adherence were identified and strategies to overcome barriers related to online sessions were presented and discussed. The pandemic has increased adherence to online psychotherapy, although not everyone intends to follow this modality in the post-pandemic. (AU)


Evidências sugerem que ocorreram modificações nos fatores de adesão a psicoterapia online durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Assim, este estudo objetivou revisar a percepção dos pacientes e psicoterapeutas sobre fatores associados a adesão à psicoterapia online durante a pandemia. Restaram 18 artigos para análise após as buscas em cinco bases de dados. Foram identificados 25 fatores associados a adesão a psicoterapia on-line. Para os psicoterapeutas, os principais fatores foram a confiança nas habilidades profissionais e estabilidade da conexão. Para os pacientes, foram o conhecimento básico de informática e encontrar setting adequado para participar das sessões. Ademais, os fatores medo do contágio, cansaço e a impossibilidade de reuniões presenciais surgiram durante a pandemia. Modificações em fatores associados a adesão pré-pandemia foram identificadas e estratégias para contornar barreiras relacionadas aos atendimentos on-line foram apresentadas e discutidas. A pandemia aumentou a adesão a psicoterapia on-line, mas nem todos pretendem seguir nessa modalidade no pós-pandemia. (AU)


Evidencias sugieren que se produjeron cambios en los factores de adherencia a la psicoterapia en línea durante la pandemia del COVID-19. Por lo tanto, este estudio busca revisar las percepciones de pacientes y psicoterapeutas sobre los factores asociados a la adherencia a la psicoterapia en línea durante la pandemia. Se analizaron 18 artículos seleccionados tras una búsqueda en cinco bases de datos. Se identificaron 25 factores de la adherencia a la psicoterapia en línea. Para los psicoterapeutas, los principales factores fueron la confianza en las competencias profesionales y la estabilidad de la conexión. Ya para los pacientes, los factores básicos fueron las habilidades informáticas básicas y la búsqueda del entorno adecuado para participar en las sesiones. Además, durante la pandemia surgieron los factores miedo al contagio, cansancio y la imposibilidad de encuentros físicos. Se identificaron modificaciones en los factores asociados a adherencia prepandémica y se presentaron y discutieron estrategias para superar las barreras relacionadas con las sesiones en línea. La pandemia aumentó la adhesión a la psicoterapia en línea, aunque no todos tengan la intención de seguir esta modalidad en la pospandemia. (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Psychotherapy , Remote Consultation , COVID-19 , Patients , Database , Psychotherapeutic Processes , Systematic Reviews as Topic , Psychotherapists
11.
Digit Health ; 9: 20552076231171233, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2317364

ABSTRACT

Dance movement psychotherapy can be physically and psychologically beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic required therapy to take place online. However, tele-dance movement psychotherapy with children with autism spectrum disorder has yet to be studied. This mixed methods study involving qualitative research and movement analyses entailed providing tele-dance movement psychotherapy to children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents, during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and exploring its potential benefits and challenges. The parents who completed the programme reported positive outcomes including the child's social development, enjoyment, improved understanding of their child, insight and ideas, as well as relationship-building. Movement analyses using the Parent Child Movement Scale (PCMS) lent greater insight into these developments. All of the parents reported challenges in participating in tele-dance movement psychotherapy. These were related to screen-to-screen interactions, home, and physical distance. There was a relatively high attrition rate. These findings highlight the challenges of tele-dance movement psychotherapy with children with autism spectrum disorder and the unique benefits of meeting in person whilst the positive outcomes may indicate that tele-dance movement psychotherapy can be beneficial, perhaps particularly as an interim or adjunct form of therapy. Specific measures can be taken to enhance engagement.

12.
Dance/movement therapy for trauma survivors: Theoretical, clinical, and cultural perspectives ; : 235-247, 2022.
Article in English | APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-2293630

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated an unprecedented shift from in-person therapy to telehealth. Dance/movement therapists, along with other somatic and creative arts therapists faced unique challenges in adapting their work under such unexpected conditions. Much of the inspiration and clinical insight for this chapter comes from therapists who persevered and developed effective therapeutic approaches during the pandemic. Drawing on their own discoveries, dialogues with colleagues, and insights from a series of dance/movement therapy (DMT) peer support groups, the authors introduce telehealth concepts relevant to DMT, emphasizing the importance of a trauma-informed approach. The chapter presents a collection of vignettes to explore both challenges and possibilities of dance/movement teletherapy. Telehealth poses unique considerations for DMT. It necessitates adjustments from in-person work, and is not always a viable option. However, DMT has a great deal to offer to the range of possibilities for serving clients in rich and meaningful ways as remote therapy continues to develop. Working through a trauma-informed lens allows therapists to work more safely and effectively in the context of telehealth with clients whether they have a known trauma history. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

13.
Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice ; 2023.
Article in English | Scopus | ID: covidwho-2299770

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Many mental health clinicians have delivered services digitally in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging research suggests that, despite some initial discomfort, therapists appear to adjust to remote working. The purpose of this study is to explore the views of clinicians working within a fully digital organisation towards digital service provision. Design/methodology/approach: Clinicians (N = 52) providing digital mental health assessments and treatments at Healios anonymously completed a mixed-methods questionnaire. Findings: In all, 85% of participants enjoyed working remotely and 71% thought they would continue to work online over the next 5–10 years. Of the participants, 40% reported low confidence in online work's efficacy before working remotely, but 96% reported confidence at the time of questionnaire completion: suggesting confidence increased with experience. An exploratory "inverted” factor analysis generated a two-factor solution, grouping clinicians into two factors based on key views. Factor 1 was predominantly characterised by satisfaction with training received and factor 2 by quality of technical experiences (encountering problems less often and greater personal confidence in resolving them). Qualitative feedback described some benefits of, and barriers to, digital service provision. Clinicians reflected on a perceived change in cultural norms, with more openness to digital services following the COVID-19 pandemic. On a personal level, teletherapy was viewed more favourably with increased personal experience. Originality/value: Clinicians' confidence in providing services digitally is discussed, with reference to how this may be affected by extent of remote working experience and availability of technical support. Staff well-being within the digital workspace is also discussed. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

14.
Disabil Rehabil ; : 1-12, 2023 Apr 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2301992

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Current service models in childhood rehabilitation promote the active participation of parents/caregivers in their children's therapies. The existing literature provides a limited understanding of the tasks and responsibilities parents undertake in their children's therapies, especially over telepractice. This study describes the tasks undertaken by parents in their children's speech therapy delivered virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with parents and speech-language pathologists, using open-ended interviews. Interviews were analyzed using a combination qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis. RESULTS: Parents performed many tasks to enable telepractice. These tasks happened before (e.g., setting up both physical and virtual space for therapy), during (e.g., managing child's behavior), and after the virtual therapy session (e.g., carrying out home practice). While parents were willing to perform these tasks in order to help their children, some expressed the toll that it can take on them. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to what is known from in-person visits, some of these tasks were novel and unique to telepractice. We recommend that clinicians and parents collaboratively decide on tasks and responsibilities to avoid burdening parents, and that they weigh the costs associated with performing these tasks against the benefits of teletherapy.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONParents perform many tasks to support their children's therapies, both during and outside of therapy sessionsTherapies delivered virtually require parents to assume additional tasks to support their childrenFor services to be Family-Centered, tasks and responsibilities need to be decided collaboratively between parents and clinicians.

15.
J Fam Ther ; 2022 Aug 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2295781

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed the ways in which marriage and family therapists (MFTs)/couple and family therapists (CFTs) engage in clinical supervision. Traditional face-to-face supervisory relationships have transitioned to telesupervision, which refers to supervisors using the internet as a training medium for their supervisees. Supervisors and supervisees alike are necessarily adapting to telesupervision relationships in an evolving world. As emergency protocols begin to give way to more routine procedures, it is important for supervisors to engage in meaningful conversations around the benefits, the challenges, and the future of telesupervision. This article discusses the various facets of telesupervision, including ethical implications, supervision modalities, the virtual supervisory alliance, the impact of telesupervision upon self-of-the-therapist work, and the potential benefits of telesupervision.

16.
Neurologie und Rehabilitation ; 29(1):27-33, 2023.
Article in German | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2271770

ABSTRACT

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, digitalization in speech language therapy has progressed rapidly. Teletherapy, in particular, has become part of regular speech language therapy, as it has been reimbursed by German health insurance companies since March 2020. At the same time, political innovations such as the E-Health Act (E-Health-Gesetz, 2015), the Act to Improve Healthcare Provision through Digitalization and Innovation (Digital Healthcare Act - DVG, 2019), and the law on digital modernization of healthcare (DVPMG) (2021) offered new opportunities but also generate (future) tasks for speech and language therapists. For example, since the DVG was approved, applications (apps) can be prescribed by physicians and the statutory health insurance pays for them. In addition, speech language therapists are also to be connected to the telematics infrastructure starting in 2026. These and other digital innovations offer a variety of opportunities for improved care in speech language therapy but also incorporate new duties and responsibilities in the professional range of tasks of speech and language therapists. In order to be able to specify requirements and critically accompany (new) technological developments, it is highly relevant that speech language therapists acquire a critically reflected attitude towards digital technologies to acquire or expand digital competence. In addition, goal-oriented political frameworks and specifications are of enormous importance for successful implementation of digital technologies in speech language therapy.Copyright © Hippocampus Verlag 2023.

17.
Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering ; 84(4-B):No Pagination Specified, 2023.
Article in English | APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-2257733

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to the world of mental health, especially in the delivery that marriage and family therapists provide services to their clients and while balancing their own self-care. In order to provide therapists with a base from which to work through these changes, a thorough review of the literature is provided as well as an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Chapter one provides an introduction to the topic of relational teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic and self-care for therapists, defines the terms teletherapy and self-care, and clarifies the conceptual frameworks at use in the dissertation: ecological systems theory. Chapter two is a review of peer-reviewed literature on relational teletherapy and self-care practices for marriage and family therapists. There is a focus on teletherapy provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the initial shift from face to face services. Chapter three is an interpretative phenomenological analysis that answers the question: how has the shift and practice of teletherapy impacted marriage and family therapists professional therapeutic work and personal self-care practices through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic? Chapter four provides the four themes and twelve sub themes that emerged from the eleven participants' experiences in this study. Chapter five is a discussion of the research findings among the themes, implications, limitations within this study, a call for future research, and conclusion of findings from this study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

18.
Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences ; 84(5-A):No Pagination Specified, 2023.
Article in English | APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-2284520

ABSTRACT

The central focus of this dissertation is to provide an overview of many areas of telepsychology and the lived experiences of doctoral students using teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the origins of telemental health, and its development since the COVID-19 pandemic are discussed. The cost and benefit of these services is explored along with the possible directions in in the field of telepsychology. This is an important topic considering the steadily increasing reliance on technology. Teletherapy is especially pertinent to psychology doctoral students who are learning how to deliver psychology services, reduce stigma, and widen access in the best ways possible. Current trends suggest this form of service delivery will likely become more popular. For this reason, it is important to understand the experiences of doctoral students with this mode of service delivery. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis design was used to examine the experiences of 4 doctoral level counseling psychology students. Each of these students had at least some experience providing telehealth services to varying degrees. Each participant discussed their experiences providing services, the feedback they have received from clients about their experiences, and how their educational experience was impacted by learning virtually during the pandemic. These results provide insight into the participants' challenges, benefits, and future areas of growth associated with providing telemental health services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

19.
Int J Lang Commun Disord ; 2023 Mar 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2259902

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated that speech-language therapists (SLTs) make a radical change to provide services to their clients safely via telepractice. For many practitioners, telepractice was an unfamiliar mode of practice that had to be implemented under emergency conditions. Limited literature on SLTs' experiences of implementing telepractice in the Global South during this time is available. AIMS: To explore the experiences of South African SLTs (N = 45) who implemented telepractice services during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS & PROCEDURES: SLTs across the country were invited via professional bodies to participate in an online qualitative survey distributed in 2021. Data were analysed using thematic analysis principles. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: We describe participants' reports of their current telepractices, discuss their perspectives on accessibility to telepractice for SLTs, clients and caregivers, and working with specific diagnoses, and consider the support needs of SLTs to enhance telepractice services. Most participants work in private practice or school settings with primarily paediatric caseloads. They reported telepractice as a positive experience and felt it was effective, although they judged that some clients were not well served by telepractice. SLTs felt underprepared for the rapid switch to telepractice and the flexibility required, especially given the limited availability of guidelines given the pandemic crisis. Greater preparation is required for telepractice sessions and more attention needs to be paid to supporting caregiver involvement online. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: Telepractice involves various barriers and facilitators, many of which seem common across Global North and South contexts. Support is required to enhance current telepractices in terms of computer literacy, technical education, different telepractice methods and caregiver coaching. Our findings have the potential to enable the development of support, training and guidelines to improve SLTs' confidence in providing telepractice whilst delivering quality services in an accessible and safe manner. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Many SLTs had to transition quickly to telepractice service provision during COVID-19, with limited existing guidelines and support. Although there is some literature available on SLTs' experiences of implementing telepractice in the Global North, perspectives from the Global South during this time are limited. It is important to understand experiences, barriers and facilitators to telepractice provision to provide tailored support to practitioners. What this paper adds to existing knowledge Telepractice provides a viable alternative to in-person therapy for specific clients and contexts. Telepractice presents both benefits and barriers for effective clinical practice across Global North and South contexts. Greater preparation is required for telepractice sessions and more attention needs to be paid to enhancing caregiver involvement online, especially since many practitioners are likely to continue offering telepractice services post-pandemic. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Clinicians felt underprepared for the rapid switch from service delivery mode to telepractice. Greater support, training and guidelines for students and practitioners are required to enhance current practices and ensure practitioners are equipped to provide effective telepractice in the future. In particular, support should cover technological aspects, caregiver coaching and online assessment options, especially for paediatric clients.

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