Emergency Psychotherapy: A Review of Utilization and Effectiveness
Emergency psychotherapy is a short-term, intensive therapeutic modality that is used to assist individuals in managing psychological distress arising from traumatic events.
The aim of this article is to review the current literature on the utilization and effectiveness of emergency psychotherapy. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using Medline, PsycInfo, and Embase databases. Keywords used in the search included “emergency psychotherapy,” “crisis intervention,” and “trauma.” A total of 21 studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria for this review.
Results of the review showed that emergency psychotherapy is an effective intervention for managing psychological distress in individuals exposed to trauma. The studies included in the review showed that emergency psychotherapy had a positive impact on psychological functioning, with decreases in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
In addition, the studies included in the review showed that emergency psychotherapy was associated with a decrease in the utilization of medical services, resulting in less expensive treatment.
In conclusion, emergency psychotherapy is an effective modality for managing psychological distress associated with traumatic events. This review provides evidence to support the utilization of this intervention in the management of trauma-related distress.
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