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

Author

Listed:
  • Sidney Yap

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada
    Heroes in Mind, Advocacy, and Research Consortium, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, 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
    School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada
    Department of Occupational Therapy, 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
    Department of Computing Science, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E8, 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
    Department of Occupational Therapy, 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
    Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G5, 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
    Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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, 2025. "Pilot Study Exploring the Perspectives of Canadian Clients Who Received Digitally Delivered Psychotherapies Utilized for Trauma-Affected Populations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:2:p:220-:d:1583597
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hugh C. McCall & Caeleigh A. Landry & Adeyemi Ogunade & R. Nicholas Carleton & Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos, 2021. "Why Do Public Safety Personnel Seek Tailored Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy? An Observational Study of Treatment-Seekers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez & Marina Begoña Martínez-González & Juan Camilo Benitez-Agudelo & Eduardo Navarro-Jiménez & Ana Isabel Beltran-Velasco & Pablo Ruisoto & Esperanza Diaz Arroyo & Carmen C, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Disorders. A Critical Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-25, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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