Emotion Regulation Training Via Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic (ERT-P)

Open Trial of Emotion Regulation Training Via Telehealth for Distressed Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study is an open trial designed specifically to address the need for evidence-based treatment delivered via telehealth to individuals that are currently struggling with mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the overarching goal of helping residents of New York adversely impacted by the pandemic to effectively manage their anxiety, stress, and depression during this unprecedented time in human history.

The present study is evaluating whether this ERT treatment program delivered via telehealth demonstrates efficacy in: 1) reducing symptoms of psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, worry, rumination); 2) improving outcomes specific to the ERT mechanism-based model (e.g., attentional control, decentering, reappraisal); 3) improving quality of life and functioning, for adults aged 18-65 years old.

All participants will receive a 9-session version of Emotion Regulation Training delivered semi-weekly via synchronous telehealth using videoconferencing software and an asynchronous Internet-based Online platform to supplement the content covered in each session.

All participants will receive 9 sessions of Emotion Regulation Training delivered via telehealth. These individualized therapy sessions are 1-hour in length and occur semi-weekly over the course of four weeks.

The initial stage of treatment focuses on psychoeducation about anxiety/depression, the impact that these cognitions/behaviors/emotions have on recent situations, and self-monitoring of worry/anxiety/depression. The sessions focus on the development of skills that help understand and regulate one's emotional experience (i.e., recognizing emotions when they are happening, identifying the meaning of a given emotion experience, soothing oneself in the context of negative emotional experiences). Following the development of these skills, sessions focus on the application of somatic awareness and emotion regulation skills while imagining emotionally evocative themes. The remaining session focuses on terminating therapy, relapse prevention, and future goals. An Internet-based online platform will be used to promote engagement with and increase accessibility to between-session skills practice and treatment-related activities (e.g., self-monitoring, session summaries, worksheets).

Pre-Treatment, Post-Treatment (4-5 weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up

Pre-Treatment, Post-Treatment (4-5 weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up

Pre-Treatment, Post-Treatment (4-5 weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up

Pre-Treatment, Post-Treatment (4-5 weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up

Pre-Treatment, Post-Treatment (4-5 weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up

Pre-Treatment, Post-Treatment (4-5 weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up

Changes in Life Satisfaction: Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS): Meaning and Purpose

Pre-Treatment, Post-Treatment (4-5 weeks after starting treatment), 3-Month Follow-Up, 9-Month Follow-Up, 2-Year Follow-Up

Semi-Weekly Measures of Treatment Changes in Anxiety: Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS): Anxiety

Semi-Weekly Measures of Treatment Changes in Depression: Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS): Depression

Semi-Weekly Measures of Treatment Changes in Rumination: Brief Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ)

Semi-Weekly Measures of Treatment Changes in Metacognitive Regulation: Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ)

Semi-Weekly Measures of Treatment Changes in Metacognitive Regulation: Experiences Questionnaire (EQ)

Semi-Weekly Measures of Treatment Changes in Attentional Regulation: The Attentional Control Scale (ACS)

Inclusion Criteria: Aged 18-65 years during the time of participation Endorses distress and worry/rumination exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic Access to a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, personal computer, laptop, tablet) connected to the Internet Exclusion Criteria: Active suicidal intent Current substance dependence disorder (within the past year) Current or past psychotic disorder, Bipolar-I disorder, or dementia Primary DSM-5 diagnosis of borderline or narcissistic personality disorder Currently receiving any other form of psychosocial treatment

Mennin DS, Fresco DM, O'Toole MS, Heimberg RG. A randomized controlled trial of emotion regulation therapy for generalized anxiety disorder with and without co-occurring depression. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2018 Mar;86(3):268-281. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000289.

Renna ME, Quintero JM, Soffer A, Pino M, Ader L, Fresco DM, Mennin DS. A Pilot Study of Emotion Regulation Therapy for Generalized Anxiety and Depression: Findings From a Diverse Sample of Young Adults. Behav Ther. 2018 May;49(3):403-418. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2017.09.001. Epub 2017 Sep 8.