Interview with Beatriz Gil Boveda: online therapy in times of COVID-19

Psychologist Beatriz Gil talks about the role of online therapy in the coronavirus crisis

Collective challenges often require large-scale changes in habits, and this applies to the crisis unleashed by the coronavirus pandemic.

One example of this is that more and more psychology professionals are adapting the way they work to include online video call therapy among their services, and more and more patients are seeking this modality of remote psychological support.

In this interview we talk about it with an expert on the subject: Beatriz Gil Bóveda, psychologist specialized in online therapy..

Interview with Beatriz Gil Bóveda: online therapy as an ally in times of pandemic

Beatriz Gil Bóveda is a psychologist specialized in clinical and work psychology, and founder of Psique Cambio, an online psychotherapy center. On this occasion she talks to us about the implications of online therapy in these months of global coronavirus pandemic.

Have you noticed a change in the profile of patients coming to your online therapy sessions since the coronavirus crisis spread?

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been contacted by patients with anxiety, stress and problems of coexistence due to confinement. People who have lost loved ones, and others who fear becoming infected and infecting their families.

What are the advantages of this therapy modality that you notice patients appreciate the most?

The main advantages of online therapy are, first of all, the time savings. By eliminating travel, we save time and only need a computer or mobile device (smartphone or tablet) with Internet connection. No more traffic, no more traffic jams, no more searching for parking, etc.

In addition, there is greater time flexibility. Derived from the previous point, we will be able to better fit the therapy into our agenda. Wherever we have an Internet connection we can do the session.

On the other hand, with online therapy a safe and trustworthy environment is established. Nowhere like at home. Online therapy allows you to do the sessions from your own home, so that you feel comfortable and safe.

In addition, there is the possibility of sending digital resources. We can send in real time in the therapy itself, or tasks for the patient to perform between therapy and therapy (videos, articles, books, recordings, links, records, self-instructions ...).

There is also greater anonymity. Although the social stigma of going to therapy is fortunately decreasing, online therapy makes it easier for patients to maintain anonymity.

On the other hand, geographical barriers are eliminated. Nowadays, online therapy services can take place anywhere in the world. It is also very useful for people with reduced mobility.

Another advantage is that face-to-face sessions can be combined with online sessions. This facilitates adherence to treatment, since with today's frenetic pace and the emergence of COVID-19, online follow-up sessions are highly recommended.

Finally, this therapy modality offers the same effectiveness as face-to-face therapy. The same psychotherapy techniques are used as in face-to-face sessions, so the effectiveness is the same (except for certain treatments that require face-to-face attendance).

From what you have been seeing, is it easy for a person with little experience with computers to learn how to attend online therapy?

Yes, it is very intuitive, also for people of any age. The 60 days of confinement have accelerated the digitalization of the world by six years. To do online therapy you only have to answer a video call, the most important thing is to have a good Internet connection.

Do you think that online therapy is still a relatively unknown option among the general population, who don't even consider getting psychological help over the Internet?

I think that, thanks to advances in digitalization and social networks, more and more people are joining online therapy. In the same way that we do physical exercise guided by YouTube videos, it is now more important than ever to take care of our mental health. We must visualize the online or in-person therapy as a gym for the mind, only then we will be able to normalize it and improve our state of well-being.