Self-care in psychologists who perform telepsychology with users in a situation of social isolation in Quito
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29394/Scientific.issn.2542-2987.2021.6.22.7.138-160Keywords:
self-care, social isolation, telepsychologyAbstract
The present qualitative research investigates how the situation of isolation in current social conditions has modified the psychotherapeutic task, and has given way to the appearance of psychological and emotional signs and symptoms in psychologists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine psychologists, five men and four women who perform telepsychology in public health institutions in the city of Quito-Ecuador. The theoretical perspective that directs the analysis is the cognitive-behavioral approach. The results showed that self-care is critical to ensure the emotional and mental health of psychologists, as well as so that their professional practice is not affected. It was also observed that self-care strategies have not been applied preventively, but once symptoms or signs of discomfort have been detected, so their effectiveness has not been optimal. It is concluded that social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic generated a multiplying effect of stressors for psychologists, who suddenly faced a change in professional practice, from the perception of time, space, methodology, type and number of cases they had to attend to. The main signs and symptoms identified were associated with difficulties in the cognitive, emotional, behavioral and physiological areas. Therefore, it is considered essential that each professional psychologist assumes the importance of developing self-care strategies that allow them to prevent discomforts associated with professional practice.
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