The Use of New Digital Information and Communication Technologies in Psychological Counseling during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Artemisa R. Dores, Andreia Geraldo, Irene P. Carvalho and Fernando Barbosa
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Artemisa R. Dores: Center for Rehabilitation Research, School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Andreia Geraldo: Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Irene P. Carvalho: CINTESIS and Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Porto (FMUP), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Fernando Barbosa: Laboratory of Neuropsychophysiology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences of University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-24

Abstract: The use of digital information and communication technologies (ICTs) has enabled many professionals to continue to provide their services during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the adoption of ICTs by psychologists and the impact of such technologies on their practice. This study aimed to explore psychologists’ practices related with the use of ICTs before and during the COVID-19 lockdown, to identify the main changes that the pandemic has brought and the impact that such changes have had on their practice with clients, and also identify the factors that potentially have affected such changes. The Portuguese Psychologists Association announced the study, and 108 psychologists responded to an online survey during the mandatory lockdown. The results showed that these professionals continued to provide their services due to having adopted ICTs. Comparing with face-to-face interventions, psychologists recognized that additional precautions/knowledge were needed to use such technologies. Despite the challenges identified, they described the experience with the use of ICTs as positive, meeting clients’ adherence, and yielding positive results. Psychologists with the most years of professional experience maintained their services the most, but those with average experience showed the most favorable attitudes toward the use of technologies and web-based interventions.

Keywords: digital information and communication technologies; psychological counseling; therapy; COVID-19; coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; digital literacy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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