(This is the beta version of this treatment manual, and this manual will definitely be updated/changed in the near future. I've decided to release this version so others can adapt it rapidly to their contexts.)
The goals of this treatment structure are to:
1. Increase the accessibility of mental health treatment for healthcare workers
2. Increase the efficiency of treatment while retaining efficacy
3. Apply brief intervention principles during a healthcare response to a disaster
This protocol can be adapted for any disaster, though some of its elements will focus on the stress of treating a highly infectious disease/pandemic, as this manual was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.
The protocol calls for 1-3 sessions lasting 45 minutes each (0.75-2.08 total hours of therapist contact time). All sessions can be done via video conference, telephone, or in-person (Note: The current preferences are video conference or telephone, though that may change depending on the disaster/your local policies).
The treatment is designed to be self-contained within a single session, as many healthcare workers may not attend more than once. Even if a patient returns for more sessions there is not necessarily a guarantee that they would be able to see the same mental health care provider. Therefore, the treatment is primarily designed as a single session treatment with the potential opportunity for 2 booster sessions.
Session 1 involves rapport building, psychoeducation, practicing distress tolerance/mindfulness skills in the context of paced breathing/progressive muscle relaxation, and processing via the patient providing their best advice to other healthcare workers for coping with the current disaster scenario (with some guiding from the therapist). We will also provide curated resources for seeking out additional support as well as remind them they can receive booster sessions if they’d like.
Sessions 2-3 (if conducted) involve reviewing their best advice to other healthcare workers for coping with the current disaster scenario along with mindfulness/distress tolerance skills. We will also troubleshoot with the patient on implementation of skills/finding appropriate outside resources.
