Online program not better than therapy

Re: Online program launched to offer mental health support to first responders in Saskatchewan (Jan. 30)

It is wonderful to hear that in Saskatchewan an online mental health program based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been launched to support first responders with anxiety, phobia, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder/injury.

Although a good start, an online program is no substitute for successful therapy. Forty years of research has demonstrated that the most important ingredient of therapy is the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Therapy is provided one-onone to clients, whether this is done in the office, online or over the telephone.

The importance of individualized therapy is embedded in the definition of “evidence-based practice.” According to the American

Psychological Association, evidence-based practice refers to “the integration of the best available research with clinical expertise in the context of patient characteristics, culture, and preferences.”

Client symptoms can be clustered into a diagnosable mental health disorder, but this does not mean that one size fits all, and therefore there are many more approaches beside CBT that are available and equally effective.

It is important for Saskatchewan to include the

320 registered counselling therapists (psychotherapists) in activities related to mental health services. It will be beneficial to have a freely available startup program for first responders continued with therapy by a trained and certified mental health professional.

Elisabeth Scheepers, Adrie-anne Gamble, Nicola Sherwin-roller, Susan Derry, Milton Derry,

Sam Berg

(All are registered counsellors in Saskatchewan.)