Abstract

CALERO-ELVIRA, Ana; GUERRERO-ESCAGEDO, María Cristina; GONZALEZ-LINAZA, Lucía  and  MARTINEZ-SANCHEZ, Noelia. Pre- and post-pandemic psychological treatment at the university clinic of CPA-UAM. Escritos de Psicología [online]. 2021, vol.14, n.2, pp.120-133.  Epub May 23, 2022. ISSN 1989-3809.  https://dx.doi.org/10.24310/espsiescpsi.v14i2.13616.

The general objective of this research is to analyze the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the psychological health of people in treatment at the CPA-UAM university clinic (omitted for blind review). Pre- and post-pandemic data of people who visited the center between 2016 and 2021 are compared, both for regular treatment (N = 535, 448 pre-COVID, 87 post-COVID) and for free telephone assistance during confinement and de-escalation (N = 73 people, 98 telephone calls). The treatments were based on the cognitive-behavioral approach. A notable increase in demand for treatment for anxiety-related problems was found as of the arrival of the pandemic, as well as in the severity of these cases. Anxiety was also the main demand for telephone assistance during confinement, although there was an increase in specific demands, such as grief and fear of contagion. No differences were found in any other aspect of the treatments, except in the number of demands for online care after the pandemic. It is essential to adapt both therapies and therapists' training to the new post-pandemic reality and guarantee quality psychological treatment for the population.

Keywords : psychological health; coronavirus; university psychological center; cognitive-behavioral treatment.

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