Comment: Remote psychotherapy: Challenges and benefits in a post-pandemic world
This comment piece was co-authored by Dr Mallika Sharma and Florence Mujuru. Dr Mallika Sharma is a Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, and Associate Professor at BNU alongside Florence Mujuru, Senior Lecturer in Psychology (CBT).
Remote psychotherapy: Challenges and benefits in a post-pandemic world
It has been five years since the pandemic and with that we have seen a change in the lives of many in several ways. Whilst the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns brought a surge in mental health issues (25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide, WHO, 2022), it also presented a sudden transition to remote psychotherapy, without giving psychotherapists an option of resistance.
Some studies report that online work was previously viewed with scepticism by many psychotherapists which suddenly became routine practice, despite evidence-based research demonstrating robust clinical effectiveness with both online and in-person psychotherapy.
Benefits of the changes
Free webinars and workshops have been organized, and conferences have transitioned to digital formats with reduced attendance fees. Supervision and continuing professional development workshops continue to be delivered online and are reported to be beneficial. Online delivery of psychotherapy has become routine, with very few clinicians offering in-person therapy. Patients reportedly prefer video conferencing over telephonic communications. National Health Services have found online therapy to be a cost-effective way to increase engagement in psychotherapy.
Online delivery of psychotherapy reduces travel time and costs, increases accessibility, minimizes distractions, and is easily accessible for patients with physical health needs. Studies have shown that patients with avoidant personality traits, body image disorders, or those who have experienced sexual abuse benefit from online psychotherapy. Additionally, clients often feel more open, safer, and less confrontational during online therapy as they are in a familiar environment.
Unintended impacts
It has also been noted that online therapy is less appropriate for patients in acute crisis or with psychotic disorders. Psychotherapists have reported exhaustion from remaining attentive in front of a camera, rapid fatigue, and difficulty in observing physical signs of mental health issues. Training also presents challenges, such as lack of engagement from trainees and missing peer support.
Embracing the changes and defining the future
It is important to consider the impacts of the pandemic and lockdown period, as clients continue to report a timeline highlighting deterioration in mental health since that time. Services should be flexible, allowing therapists and clients to choose the mode of delivery—online or face-to-face—that best suit their needs.
A teaching clinic has been established at the High Wycombe campus under the guidance and support of Dr Mallika Sharma. This is a unique initiative in the field of psychotherapy.
NHS services have been extremely busy since the pandemic, and private therapy is not an option for many due to the high costs involved. The staff team of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) programs has been supporting the management of the Psychology clinic and supervising trainee psychotherapists.
The clinic is open to the public, BNU staff, and students, making therapy accessible (both online and face-to-face) for everyone free of charge. Trainee therapists provide CBT, which is the first-line treatment for common mental health disorders (NICE Guidelines), for up to twenty sessions to clients aged 16 and older.
Members of the public and BNU staff can self-refer by contacting us via email. BNU students can also use the services offered by the clinic by referring themselves to the university's counselling services.
The Psychology clinic works closely with the university counselling services. Dr Sharma has been contacting local public services and charities, and so far, information has been shared by over sixty organizations in the local area. The results are visible, as referrals to the clinic have increased significantly.
Psychology Clinic: