Teletherapy for Adolescent Psychiatric Outpatients: The Soaring Flight of so far Idle Technologies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Owed to the COVID-19 pandemic, teletherapeutic offers skyrocketed, in the need of the moment seemingly faster that the background technology and training could be provided. This spotlight communication gives an overview of results and ideas on teletherapeutic offers for adolescent psychiatric outpatients and impulses for further investigations. We report insight gained from following up 30 adolescents in weekly outpatient treatment on an interview basis. Therapists’ views were collected via informal discussions and are, although not systematically analyzed, integrated where applicable Although results are not generalizable, we could show that patients overall benefit from teletherapy. Main positives and pitfalls of teletherapy are being reported, as well as ideas for problem-solving and refinement, which seems of utmost importance in light of potential further waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.