First results of theREMOTEcbt study: succesfully presented at EABCT 2022
Project:
European therapists' transitioning to remote CBT during the COVID-19 pandemic
The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has brought a number of challenges, including transitioning to remote psychotherapeutic services and training (online, via video conferencing programs/applications). This abrupt transition required the adjustment of not only service users, but also therapists around the world, which could have yielded both positive and negative perceptions of this treatment mode, important for future practices during and after the pandemic.
For these reasons, the Serbian Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapists (SRABCT) has launched a research project theREMOTEcbt at the beginning of 2021 (one year after the pandemic started), supported by the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT), with the participation of a number of psychotherapeutic associations from different European countries. This study is aimed at exploring the experience, perceptions and attitudes on the remote provision of psychotherapeutic services and training among cognitive-behavioral therapists and trainees, as well as therapists and trainees in other psychotherapeutic modalities. The study results may contribute to better understanding of the international as well as locally specific needs of professionals when it comes to remote therapy and training, especially in the specific circumstances of the pandemic.
This project first started in a collaboration of the Serbian Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapists (SRABCT) with a regional group of CBT associations (EABCT members): Bosnia and Herzegovina Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (BHACBT), Croatian Association for Behavioral-Cognitive Therapies (CABCT), Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy Montenegro (MNACBT), Association for Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy in Republic of North Macedonia (ACBPRM), Serbian Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (ACBTS), and Slovenian Association of Behaviour and Cognitive Therapies (SABCT). The EABCT representatives from these associations showed great dedication to join efforts to investigate the regional needs among therapists and trainees in this topic. The preliminary results of the regional study served to inform the first practical step forward in terms of addressing the needs - organizing the opportunities to exchange experiences and build skills in providing online CBT. More about the workshops organized within theREMOTEcbt project here
After the regional study started, more countries and EABCT member associations joined the project.
If you are a psychotherapists or a psychotherapy trainee interested to share your attitudes and experience on this topic by participating in our study, please fill out this anonymous
If you would like to be a local coordinator of this study in your country or on behalf of your psychotherapeutic association, please contact us at srabct.covid@gmail.com