Pilot Study Exploring the Perspectives of Canadian Clients Who Received Digitally Delivered Psychotherapies Utilized for Trauma-Affected Populations

Sidney Yap, Rashell R. Allen, Katherine S. Bright, Matthew R. G. Brown, Lisa Burback, Jake Hayward, Olga Winkler, Kristopher Wells, Chelsea Jones, Phillip R. Sevigny, Megan McElheran, Keith Zukiwski, Andrew J. Greenshaw and Suzette Brémault-Phillips ()
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Sidney Yap: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada
Rashell R. Allen: School of Clinical Child Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G5, Canada
Katherine S. Bright: Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
Matthew R. G. Brown: Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
Lisa Burback: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada
Jake Hayward: Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2T4, Canada
Olga Winkler: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada
Kristopher Wells: Department of Child and Youth Care, Faculty of Health and Community Studies, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada
Chelsea Jones: Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
Phillip R. Sevigny: Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada
Megan McElheran: Wayfound Mental Health Group, Calgary, AB T2R 1J5, Canada
Keith Zukiwski: Haikei Health, Edmonton, AB T5W 3H1, Canada
Andrew J. Greenshaw: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada
Suzette Brémault-Phillips: Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: The digital delivery of mental health services became increasingly common following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is still much to learn regarding tailoring interventions for trauma-affected populations (military members, Veterans, public safety personnel). Through the current pilot study, we explored the perceptions of digitally delivered psychotherapies utilized for trauma-affected populations, as reported by Canadian military members, Veterans, and public safety personnel who completed such interventions. Quantitative data were collected from 11 Canadian clients (military members, Veterans, and public safety personnel with posttraumatic stress injury). Survey questions were based on the Alberta Quality Matrix of Health and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. As a follow-up, clients were invited to partake in a semi-structured interview to further explore their perspectives on digitally delivered trauma-focused and adjunct therapies. Four clients participated in an interview. The client participants reported that digitally delivered trauma and adjunct therapies offered similar treatment effectiveness to in-person delivery while also improving treatment access. The participants indicated several unique advantages of digital delivery, including the increased accessibility of treatment, cost-effectiveness, and more efficient use of resources, although the small sample size limits the generalizability of our findings. Further research with a larger, more diverse population is required to corroborate our results and identify other avenues in which psychotherapies utilized for trauma-affected populations can be engaged with and improved upon.

Keywords: digital mental health interventions; mixed-methods study; trauma-focused psychotherapy; military members and veterans; public safety personnel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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