‘Living in a Zoom world’: Survey mapping how COVID‐19 is changing family therapy practice in the UK

Abstract

Following the COVID‐19 pandemic, psychological therapies rapidly moved online in mid‐2020. The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK (AFT) surveyed the attitudes and practices of systemic therapists in the UK in early October 2020, exploring members’ views and gathered information about ongoing needs. A sample of 312 people were included in a mixed methods analysis. In total, 65% of respondents felt their overall experience of using online video technology professionally was positive, further reflected in responses to two open‐ended questions. Detailed thematic analysis revealed that many positive comments were related to the practical advantages of online working, whilst many negative comments were related to technique and the therapeutic relationship. Possible respondent biases are discussed, and the implications of this change in practice are explored. It remains to be seen if this marks the beginning of a more permanent shift in our field as we explore the potential of new technologies. Practitioner Points The vast majority of UK systemic therapists felt that their experience of online video technology was positive. They noted many practical advantages but also identified many challenges regarding therapeutic techniques and the therapeutic relationship. Therapists developed a range of creative solutions to maximise the therapeutic opportunities of online video.

Social Work Practice During COVID-19: Client Needs and Boundary Challenges

“…ICTs have allowed practitioners to provide continuity of care (Gentry et al, 2021;Waller et al, 2020), and maintain the therapeutic relationship during COVID-19 (McKenny et al, 2021;Moring et al, 2020). ICTs removed client barriers related to transportation, work commitments, and childcare (Hopkins & Pedwell, 2021), and improved client attendance and engagement (McKenny et al, 2021). Many practitioners intend to continue providing digital services to some degree beyond COVID-19 (Gentry et al, 2021).…”

“…The pandemic has exacerbated existing inequities by sharpening the "digital divide" among clients (Farkas & Romaniuk, 2020, p. 1). Clients face barriers to remote services due to matters such as poverty/financial, privacy, and childcare issues, rural settings, lack of technology literacy, psychiatric diagnoses, and age (Canady, 2020;Liberati et al, 2021;McKenny et al, 2021;Perrin et al, 2020;Pierce et al, 2020;Razai et al, 2020;Simpson et al, 2021;Wells et al, 2020). In this article, we provide a unique analysis of practitioners' and clients' perspectives before and after the onset of COVID-19.…”

Alliance Between Therapist and Multi-stressed Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Effect of Family-Based Videoconferencing

“…For example, research suggests that very young children, older generations, clients lacking motivation for treatment or families with lower social economic status or education might experience more difficulty handling the required technology and/or may be more difficult to engage in VC sessions (Crum & Comer, 2016 ; Florean et al, 2020 ; Matheson et al, 2020 ). Some adolescents may further feel screenshy (Burgoyne & Cohn, 2020 ; Mc Kenny et al, 2021 ). Working with multi-stressed families may involve multiple of these challenges, as these families may be more likely to have a low social economic status, lack motivation, and treatment may involve working with the children or adolescents.…”

“…Again, interruptions may be more frequent when interacting with multiple family members in the same session. At the same time, advantages have been mentioned as well; clients may experience an increased feeling of control, safety or empowerment and the flexibility of VC may improve session attendance (Mc Kenny et al, 2021 ; Sibley et al, 2017 ; Simpson & Reid, 2014 ). Thus, although several challenges can be hypothesized when using VC in a systemic context with multi-stressed families, more research is needed to understand the feasibility and effectiveness of family-based VC.…”

Digital Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Services: Case-Based Realist Evaluation

“…In a narrative review of mostly North American literature, advantages were identified, including convenience, increased acceptance and adherence, cost efficiencies, enhancements in communication, and other therapy benefits [ 10 ]. Furthermore, factors contributing to the positive evaluation of web-based care by clients included meeting needs in a timely and effective manner [ 11 ], a more egalitarian therapeutic alliance [ 12 ], and an increased sense of being in control [ 9 , 13 ].…”