Impact of Clinical Psychology in Emergencies and Disasters in Ecuador and other Global Crises

In a world where emergencies and disasters are becoming more frequent due to climate change, social conflicts, and global pandemics, clinical psychology has proven to be an essential tool for mitigating the emotional and mental impact of these crises. The objective of this study is to identify the challenges and opportunities of clinical psychology professionals in the context of emergencies and disasters in Ecuador, proposing recommendations to optimize their work based on the comparison of various telepsychology methodologies. This study uses a combination of literature review and qualitative case analysis. Documents from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and interviews with mental health professionals in Ecuador were reviewed. In addition, strategies used in international disasters such as the tsunami in Japan (2011) and Hurricane Katrina (2005) were analyzed. Among the most common psychological effects derived from disasters are Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, affecting both direct victims and response teams. Clinical psychology plays a fundamental role in emotional recovery during crisis contexts. In Ecuador, significant progress has been made in this area; however, it is imperative to strengthen psychological services, especially in vulnerable and rural areas.