The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the landscape of mental health services, particularly for survivors of domestic violence (DV). The lockdown measures have exacerbated DV incidents, making it crucial for practitioners to adapt and innovate in their service delivery. A recent study titled
Tele-Case Work Consultation to Woman Survivor of Domestic Violence During COVID 19 Pandemic offers valuable insights into the effectiveness of tele-case work consultation during these challenging times.
Implementing Research Outcomes
Practitioners can improve their skills by integrating the following outcomes from the research:
- Psychosocial First Aid: Utilize the LIVES approach (Listening, Inquiring, Validating, Enhancing Safety, and Support) to provide immediate emotional support and crisis intervention.
- Tele-Psychiatric Social Work Guidelines: Follow established guidelines to ensure ethical and effective tele-case work practices. This includes obtaining informed consent, verifying client identity, and maintaining confidentiality.
- Safety Planning: Conduct risk assessments and develop individualized safety plans to protect clients from ongoing violence. This includes providing local helpline numbers and shelter information.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Enhance clients' problem-solving and coping skills through structured tele-counseling sessions. Focus on building self-confidence and decision-making abilities.
Challenges and Solutions
The study also highlights several challenges and solutions for tele-case work consultation:
- Network Connectivity: Poor internet connections can disrupt sessions. Practitioners should have backup plans, such as switching to phone calls if video conferencing fails.
- Nonverbal Cues: Assessing nonverbal behaviors is challenging in tele-sessions. Practitioners should ask open-ended questions to gauge clients' emotional states.
- Session Length: Tele-sessions can sometimes exceed planned durations, leading to therapist fatigue. Setting clear boundaries and scheduling breaks can help manage this issue.
Encouraging Further Research
The study underscores the need for more research into digital modalities for DV interventions. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this growing field by documenting their experiences and sharing best practices. Collaboration with researchers can lead to the development of more effective tele-case work models.
Conclusion
Tele-case work consultation offers a viable solution for supporting DV survivors during the pandemic. By implementing the outcomes of recent research, practitioners can enhance their service delivery and ensure the safety and well-being of their clients. To read the original research paper, please follow this link:
Tele-Case Work Consultation to Woman Survivor of Domestic Violence During COVID 19 Pandemic.
