Adapting your clinic for remote therapy — a checklist

With news about COVID-19 spreading faster than the virus itself, we’ll keep this article brief and practical. Self-isolation is becoming the norm, thousands are working from home, and shops and restaurants are closing. Beyond the immediate virus-induced health risks, this is a huge mental health issue. We need psychological therapy now more than ever. So how can we deliver the best care during these unprecedented times? The answer: remote therapy. Here is a checklist for moving your clinic into the digital world.

Patient communication plan

If the idea of a worldwide pandemic worries you, imagine how your patients might be feeling right now. It’s important that you reach out and provide some certainty on the road ahead.

• Contact existing patients outlining the new remote therapy protocol and what this means for them.
• Provide instructions on how they should download video-calling software. (Try going through the process yourself and keep a list of all the steps).
• Update your voicemail greetings and automatic email replies to include your availability and any changes to your standard service. Make sure to include information on the policies and procedures that patients should use if they are in crisis.
• Have a back-up plan in case of technical difficulties (it might also be good to confirm a phone number to call in case of connection issues during the session).
• Software can be scary. Confirm that no one will record the session without prior permission.

The ultimate video call setup

If you already have a setup that works for you, then it makes sense to stick with what you know. However, if you need advice, our team of software engineers have reviewed different video calling services and recommend Zoom.

“We found Zoom to have the most reliable connection and video quality. It can be used easily on both desktop and mobile, and it uses end-to-end encryption for good data security. The software is also HIPAA compliant”

Before the call…

• Check your internet connection and try to make sure you are using a secure private WiFi connection (not public or unsecured WiFi).
• Update your antivirus software (to reduce any risks of being hacked).
• Make sure you are in a private location that is reasonably quiet.
• Test your picture quality and make sure the room is well lit (nothing worse that talking to a silhouette!)
• Consider moving personal items or distractions in the background to maintain professionalism.
• Turn off all notifications on your computer or smartphone (to avoid interruptions). Ask your patient to do the same.

Digital mental health apps

Video calling is great for remote therapy. But what about all the hours in-between sessions? Self-isolation is particularly hard for people with depression. The relentless coronavirus updates can further amplify symptoms of anxiety, panic disorder and OCD. Your patients need you. And digital mental health apps can give you clinical superpowers.

As before, if there is a specific app you already use, it’s best to stick with what you know. Otherwise, Limbic is a digital therapy assistant with some useful features for the current COVID-19 situation. (Disclaimer: I’m a co-founder of Limbic so I cannot claim this review to be unbiased).

Limbic features…

• An intelligent therapy chatbot to make CBT feel more like a friendly conversation. It’s not a substitute for human-human contact, but it can go some way to helping patients who are feeling isolated and alone.
• The ability for clinicians to deliver personalised coping strategies to their patients. As a clinician, you can tell Limbic how to respond when your patient is feeling low or anxious. Your patients are then reminded of your advice — in your own words — when they need it most.
• Increased patient engagement with therapy. Patients on Limbic exhibit twice the level of app usage compared to other digital mental health products. They can easily keep a note of their thoughts and feelings, and share this with you to fast-track productive conversations in therapy sessions.

Given the current situation around COVID-19, we’re making Limbic available to all CBT therapists and their patients, free of charge. If you’re interested, please email our Client Director, Syed Abrar.

Self-care

Patients aren’t the only ones who may experience psychological distress during the current pandemic. Make sure to look after your own mental wellbeing. (You must put on your own oxygen mask before you can help others). The world needs you, so stay safe and healthy 😊