 The COVID-19 pandemic shook the world. In March 2020, our daily routines and freedom of movement came to a halt in Ontario and all over the world. In order to continue services for clients, psychologists and other professionals switched to virtual/online practices and telephone services. This was the only way clients could continue their therapy or start therapy. E-therapy is the provision of psychotherapy by using technology such as video platforms, telephone, online self-help, or even text-messages. This was new for many practitioners and clients alike. But e-therapy has been around for years, there is a wide body or research demonstrating its benefits for clients, and it can be used to treat many problems, life difficulties, and mental disorders (Bibliography of Telehealth Research).
 E-Therapy (or virtual therapy or telehealth) is a term that describes the use of technology to provide psychological services from a distance. In other words, e-therapy takes place when a therapist and client are not in physical proximity to each other. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the mass adoption of e-therapy by psychologists. Furthermore, many people are now accustomed to working and communicating daily using video platforms. In fact, some clients prefer the convenience of e-therapy over face-to-face therapy sessions, and many have become comfortable with the technology. This post will focus on video therapy and telephone therapy provided by psychologists.
This is a very difficult time for many of us. There are few people alive today who have experienced a pandemic, so this is an unprecedented situation. But health care professionals are here and prepared to help. Below is a collection of resources that may help you to cope during this difficult time. If you reside in Ontario, I am available for video-therapy sessions or telephone sessions. If you are a current client, please do not hesitate to contact me, and you are not alone. If you don't have time to read the resources below, I would like to recommend the following:
 Behavioural activation (BA) is a therapeutic intervention that involves engaging in pleasurable activities to improve your mood. BA was initially studied as a treatment for depression, and it has been helpful in improving the moods of people who struggle with this condition (see Behavioral activation interventions for well-being: A meta-analysis; Mazzucchelli, Kane, & Rees, 2010).
This post was updated on March 30, 2024.
I have been asked many times to explain the difference between Psychologists, Psychological Associates, Psychiatrists, and Psychotherapists. Hopefully, this blog post will provide a helpful answer! (There are different types of Psychologists, but for this post I will be referring to Clinical Psychologists who provide psychotherapy and psychological assessments in Ontario.) What is a Psychologist? According to the Canadian Psychological Association, "A practicing psychologist is trained to assess and diagnose problems in thinking, feeling and behaviour as well to help people overcome or manage these problems. A psychologist is uniquely trained to use psychological tests to help with assessment and diagnosis. Psychologists help people to overcome or manage their problems using a variety of treatments or psychotherapies". (Canadian Psychological Association. What is a Psychologist? Retrieved from https://cpa.ca/public/whatisapsychologist/.) 
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for unhelpful thinking patterns. These thinking patterns are common to many people and contribute to depression, anxiety, and various mental disorders.
CBT can help you to notice the relationships among: A) An Activating Event or Situation, B) Beliefs and Thoughts, and C) Consequences such as emotions, physical sensations, behaviours, or urges.  I like to recommend that my clients keep a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal is a Positive Psychology tool that helps individuals to focus more on what is going well in their lives. This is different from many therapeutic techniques that focus on problems (although this is often necessary). Our thoughts and perceptions of ourselves, our lives, other people, and the world can vary along a continuum from everything is wonderful to everything is absolutely horrible. If one is depressed, everything seems horrible, doesn’t it? But if we take a closer look, we can often find positives in our lives that we took for granted because we were seeing everything though a negative ‘mental filter’. A gratitude journal can help bring the positives in our lives back into focus, so that we can see things from a more balanced perspective. When you realize that everything in your life is not horrible, this can really improve your mood!
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Author
Candice Bovell, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Clinical Psychologist Blog posts
~ Why is Online Therapy so Popular?
~ 100 Activities for Behavioural Activation ~ Why Don't you Give Free 10-Minute Consultations like Other Therapists? ~ Welcome Markham Psychologists Clients Starting September 1, 2023 ~ How to Book Appointments with Dr. Candice Using Jane App ~ How to Read Emails Sent Through Hushmail ~ How to Join a Zoom for Healthcare Appointment ~ How to Deal with Work Stress-5 Tips ~ 5 Types of Psychotherapy Homework ~ 5 Tips for CBT Success ~ Interested in Trying E-Therapy? ~ E-Therapy is Great for the Field of Psychology ~ Psychologist Recommended Resources for Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic ~ Activate Your Mood with Behavioural Activation ~ Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Psychotherapist...What's the Difference? ~ Thinking About Using Thought Records ~ Thank Goodness for Gratitude Journals! Archives
May 2024
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