Therapeutic Psychological First Aid for Front-Line Healthcare Staff in a Pandemic

This webinar provides guidance to psychologists and other mental health and social work clinicians who are conducting one-to-one or group sessions with front-line healthcare workers who are caring for COVID-19 patients. These are general principles and practice tips that are not intended to prescribe specific practices and must be individualized for each unique encounter and the therapeutic approach of each practitioner. The single most important take home point is that every therapeutic encounter with front-line staff must provide the worker with an authentic affirmation of the value of their dedication and service, and a sense of having learned something of value about themselves and how they can actively find meaning or achieve a goal in the current crisis.

• Describe a practical therapeutic adaptation of Psychological First Aid for front-line healthcare staff.
• Describe a core therapeutic Psychological First Aid intervention that should be provided in every therapeutic encounter with front-line staff.

Julian Ford, PhD, ABPP