Virtual Training for Mental Illness
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The trial aims to test a virtual training program for psychotherapists to enhance their skills in managing the therapeutic alliance (relationship with the patient) and addressing diversity issues. By offering this training online, the researchers aim to make it accessible to therapists unable to attend in-person workshops, particularly those outside major cities. The trial will compare three groups: therapists receiving virtual training, those receiving traditional training, and those with no additional training. Eligible participants include licensed therapists in North America who are open to taking new patients, as well as patients who have recently started therapy and can commit to six sessions over six months. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for patients to contribute to innovative research that could improve therapy accessibility and effectiveness.
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on psychotherapy, so it's best to discuss your medications with the study team or your therapist.
What prior data suggests that this virtual training program is safe for psychotherapists?
Research has shown that virtual training programs can be safe and effective for mental health care. Studies have found that these online methods can achieve results as good as or even better than traditional in-person methods. For example, digital literacy training has helped individuals with serious mental health issues improve their skills without negative effects.
In terms of safety, virtual training programs typically focus on teaching skills and knowledge without involving physical procedures. This makes them generally easy to manage, as they don't require medication or medical procedures. Since this study examines a virtual training method, the risks are likely low, especially compared to more traditional medical treatments.
Although specific data on the safety of this particular virtual training program is limited, its nature suggests it is quite safe.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Virtual Training Program for mental illness because it offers a new way to provide professional development asynchronously. Unlike traditional therapy methods, which typically involve synchronous, in-person sessions, this program allows for flexible learning that participants can fit into their schedules. Additionally, it includes consultation, which means participants still receive personalized guidance despite the program's virtual nature. This innovative approach has the potential to make mental health training more accessible and convenient, potentially reaching a broader audience and enhancing the skills of mental health professionals in a more efficient manner.
What evidence suggests that this virtual training program is effective for improving therapeutic alliance and patient mental health outcomes?
Research has shown that online mental health training can effectively improve well-being. Studies have found that virtual training programs can reduce anxiety and boost confidence. For instance, after a short online course, participants reported feeling less anxious and having higher self-esteem. Another study discovered that online relaxation and education improved mental health, with benefits lasting up to 12 weeks. e-Learning in therapy also makes mental health support more accessible and affordable, which is promising for therapists.
In this trial, participants will join one of three groups: the Virtual Training Program, an asynchronous virtual training professional development program including consultation; Training as Usual, involving synchronous virtual workshop professional development including consultation; or No Training, where participants will receive therapy as usual. These findings suggest that virtual training could help therapists improve patient care by better managing relationships and understanding diverse needs.678910Who Is on the Research Team?
Giorgio A Tasca, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Ottawa
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for licensed psychotherapists in North America and their patients with mental illness. It aims to improve therapists' skills virtually, focusing on therapeutic alliance issues, including those related to diversity. Therapists living outside urban areas who may lack access to advanced training are especially encouraged.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Training
Therapists complete either a self-paced virtual course with consultation or a synchronous virtual workshop with consultation
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after training
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Virtual Training Program
Trial Overview
The study tests a virtual training program designed to help psychotherapists better identify and repair problems in the therapeutic relationship with patients. It compares three groups: one with self-paced virtual course + consultation, another with synchronous workshop + consultation, and a control group without any additional training.
How Is the Trial Designed?
3
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Asynchronous virtual training professional development program including consultation.
No training, therapy as usual.
Synchronous virtual workshop professional development including consultation.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Ottawa
Lead Sponsor
Sinai Health System
Collaborator
University of Toronto
Collaborator
Citations
The evolving field of digital mental health: current evidence ...
A recent systematic review found that virtual reality‐based relaxation interventions are equally or more effective than non‐virtual reality ...
Effectiveness of an online mental health strengthening ...
The four-week online mental health strengthening module was found to have significant effects in improving the resilience of medical students, ...
The effectiveness of an online short-format Recovery College ...
After six hours of training, learners experienced a reduction in their anxiety levels. They increased their self-esteem/self-efficacy and their ...
Efficacy of online psychoeducation and relaxation training ...
OnPR improved mental health outcomes, and the effect on depression, anxiety and stress lasted for at least a 12-week follow-up period. In addition, it could ...
Learning Outcomes of e-Learning in Psychotherapy ...
Conclusions: e-Learning seems to have good potential to enhance psychotherapy training by increasing access, scalability, and cost-effectiveness ...
Impact of Digital Literacy Training on Outcomes for People ...
Conclusions: · Digital literacy training can lead to improvements in functional digital skills for patients with serious mental illness.
The effectiveness of virtual reality training on knowledge, skills ...
Virtual reality (VR) training can enhance health professionals' learning. However, there are ambiguous findings on the effectiveness of VR ...
Virtual Care for Behavioral Health Conditions - PMC
Studies had shown that it was effective for managing and treating mental health conditions, with similar or better outcomes compared with in- ...
The Effects of Virtual Simulation on Undergraduate Nursing ...
This study aims to evaluate the effects of virtual simulation on undergraduate nursing students' beliefs about prognosis and long-term outcomes for people with ...
Effectiveness of Police Crisis Intervention Training Programs
The University of Memphis states that outcomes for CIT programs include being able to effectively divert persons in mental health crisis away ...
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