Adaptation of therapeutic care in vulnerable populations experiencing emergency situations

Abstract

The COVID-19 emergency brought new questions for mental health and, consequently, major challenges for the clinical
approach of vulnerable populations. The objective of this research was to analyze the work strategies implemented by the
Psychological Guidance Center located in the Padre Ricciardelli neighborhood of the City of Buenos Aires to guarantee the
continuity of therapeutic care during the pandemic. Method: Semi-structured virtual interviews were administered to the
working team professionals and the analysis of the clinical records of patients who consulted during this period was carried
out accordingly. Results: From the coding material process, a central category called adaptation strategies was identified and
associated with seven other study categories: the exercise of leadership as a condition for the development of adaptation
strategies; the need of interdisciplinary work to respond to the emergency; the need to recognize and implement personal
resources in the face of the new challenge; the importance of the therapeutic link as a condition to address new foci; the
fundamental role of Logotherapy to promote the search for meaning and the inevitable use of technological tools. Conclusion:
The present investigation demonstrated the effective implementation of innovative resources, together with already proven
strategies, to guarantee the continuity of therapeutic treatments providing the individual and community psychological support
that the health emergency demanded in socioeconomically vulnerable populations.