To Proceed Via Telehealth or Not? Considerations for Pediatric Anxiety and Related Disorders Beyond COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a widespread shift to telehealth among mental health professionals to prioritize both providers’ and clients’ safety. Telehealth is likely here to stay; however, there is limited practical guidance for clinicians about how to make decisions regarding who should proceed with care via telehealth versus in-person. There also is virtually no data on the effectiveness of hybrid approaches to care; yet this can be an attractive option with potential clinical benefit. This paper provides practice-informed guidance to support shared clinical decision-making between clinicians and families to decide whether to engage in therapy services in-person or via telehealth. We specifically focus on decision-making guidance relevant for youth with anxiety or related disorders, given the unique implications of telehealth for these youth. Guided by the three-legged stool of evidence-based practice, we discuss how clinicians can use principles of shared decision-making to inform clinical recommendations about treatment modality.