RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Improving Patient Mental Health With Psychotherapist Virtual Training

This study aims to make therapy better for everyone by giving therapists online training. We know that many people still struggle with their mental health even after therapy. Previous training helped therapists improve how they connect with patients, but it was only in person. This new study is trying out virtual training so more therapists, especially those not in big cities, can access it. The training will help therapists notice and fix any communication issues with patients, including those related to cultural differences. We want to see if this online training helps therapists improve their skills, if they find it useful, and most importantly, if it leads to better mental health for patients. Licensed therapists and their patients in North America can take part.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Ottawa

Enrolment target

489

Start

02 Aug 2023

Estimated completion

01 May 2027

Mental Disorders

What is this study about?

Imagine talking to a therapist, and sometimes things just don't click, or there's a misunderstanding. This can make therapy less helpful. A really important part of successful therapy is what we call the "therapeutic alliance" – basically, how well the patient and therapist understand and connect with each other. When this alliance is strong, therapy tends to work better.

Researchers have found that when therapists get special training to identify and work through these moments of tension or misunderstanding with their patients, it can really improve how well therapy works and lead to better mental health for the patients. However, this helpful training has typically only been offered in large cities, meaning many therapists couldn't access it. Also, therapists have mentioned that cultural and diversity factors can sometimes make it harder to build that strong connection.

This new study wants to solve these problems by offering the training online. The main goals are to see if virtual training can effectively teach therapists how to better understand and work with their patients, including those from different backgrounds, and to find out if therapists find this online approach helpful and would use it in their practice. Ultimately, the hope is that by improving how therapists connect with all their patients, more people will see real improvements in their mental health.

Key takeaways

Online training for therapists is being tested to improve patient care.
The training focuses on better understanding patients and cultural differences in therapy.
This study aims to make effective therapy training available to more therapists.
Patients get therapy from a study therapist as part of their participation.
The goal is to improve patient mental health outcomes.
Participation is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for two groups of people: therapists and their patients. To be a therapist in the study, you need to be a licensed mental health professional who provides therapy to adults in North America. You must be in good standing with your professional group and able to take on at least three new patients for the study. You also need to be able to use a secure online platform for six therapy sessions.

For patients, you need to be an adult (18 or older) living in Canada or the United States who is either starting therapy with a study therapist or has recently started (fewer than three sessions). You should expect to have six therapy sessions with your study therapist over the next six months. Patients will not be able to join if they have certain serious mental health conditions, are already seeing another therapist, or are at high risk of suicide. Your therapist will also help determine if it's right for you to be approached about the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you live in Canada or the United States?
Are you starting therapy with a study therapist, or have you had fewer than 3 sessions with them?
Do you expect to have at least 6 therapy sessions with your study therapist over the next 6 months?
Are you not currently seeing another therapist for similar issues?
Has your therapist confirmed that joining the study would be suitable for you?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are a therapist, you will be assigned to one of three groups: one group will complete an online self-paced course with discussions, another group will have live online workshops with discussions, and a third group (the control group) will not receive the training. You will provide therapy to study patients. If you are a patient, you will continue your therapy with a therapist who is participating in the study. You will have six therapy sessions over approximately six months. Throughout the study, information will be collected about your mental health and how you feel about your therapy, which will help the researchers understand if the new training is working.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you the benefit of potentially better therapy, as your therapist could be receiving training aimed at improving their skills and understanding. There are no direct medical risks from participating. Your privacy will be protected, and all information you share will be kept confidential. You are always free to decide to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and it will not affect your care.

Locations (1)

University of Ottawa
Verified postcode
Ottawa, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'therapeutic alliance'?

It's the strong, positive connection and understanding between a patient and their therapist, which is very important for therapy to work well.

Why is this training important for therapists?

It helps therapists better understand and connect with patients, especially when there are tricky moments or differences in background, which can make therapy more effective.

Will my therapist still be qualified if they get this online training?

Yes, all therapists in this study are licensed professionals. The online training is designed to further improve their existing skills.

What if I feel uncomfortable participating?

Your comfort is important. You can choose to stop participating in the study at any time without it affecting your therapy or care.

How long will the study last for patients?

Patients are expected to have therapy for about six sessions over six months with a participating therapist.

How to find out more

Giorgio A Tasca, PhD

gtasca@uottawa.ca 1-613-562-5800 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.