In the ever-evolving landscape of online therapy, understanding the nuances of subjective responses can significantly enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. A recent study titled "A Qualitative Study of 11 World-Class Team-Sport Athletes’ Experiences Answering Subjective Questionnaires: A Key Ingredient for ‘Visible’ Health and Performance Monitoring?" offers valuable insights that can be translated into the domain of online therapy, particularly in special education settings.
The study delves into the experiences of 11 world-class athletes, exploring their motivations and barriers to honesty when responding to subjective monitoring questionnaires. Four key themes emerged: pursuit of the ideal self, individual barriers to athlete engagement, social facilitators to athlete engagement, and experiencing compassion from performance staff. These findings are not only relevant to sports performance but can also be instrumental in refining online therapy practices.
Pursuit of the Ideal Self
Athletes were driven by a desire to achieve their ideal self, a concept that can be paralleled in therapy. Clients in online therapy are often motivated by their goals and aspirations. Practitioners can enhance engagement by:
- Encouraging clients to articulate their ideal self and future aspirations.
- Using motivational interviewing techniques to foster a sense of hope and direction.
- Regularly revisiting these goals to maintain focus and motivation.
Individual Barriers to Engagement
The study identified fear and skepticism as significant barriers to honest responses. Similarly, clients in online therapy may withhold information due to fear of judgment or skepticism about the therapist's intentions. To mitigate these barriers, practitioners should:
- Build a trusting and transparent relationship with clients.
- Ensure confidentiality and clearly communicate the purpose and use of collected information.
- Provide a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to express their thoughts and feelings.
Social Facilitators to Engagement
Effective communication and the perceived usefulness of the monitoring process were crucial for athlete engagement. In online therapy, practitioners can enhance engagement by:
- Educating clients about the therapeutic process and the importance of their input.
- Using simple and efficient methods for collecting subjective data, such as online questionnaires.
- Providing regular feedback and demonstrating how client input influences the therapy process.
Experiencing Compassion from Practitioners
Athletes valued compassion and genuine care from performance staff, which can be mirrored in therapy. Online therapists can foster a compassionate environment by:
- Demonstrating empathy and understanding towards clients' experiences and emotions.
- Actively involving clients in the therapeutic process and decision-making.
- Building strong therapeutic alliances based on mutual respect and care.
Practical Application
For practitioners in online therapy, especially those working in special education, these insights can be transformative. By understanding and addressing the emotional needs of clients, therapists can foster a more engaging and effective therapeutic environment. Reflecting on one's own behaviors and actions, and consistently demonstrating genuine care and compassion, can significantly enhance client honesty and engagement.
Future Directions
This study opens new avenues for research in online therapy. Future investigations could explore how the pursuit of the ideal self and the role of emotions influence client engagement and honesty in therapy. Additionally, examining the impact of therapist-client relationships on therapy outcomes can provide deeper insights into optimizing online therapeutic practices.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: A Qualitative Study of 11 World-Class Team-Sport Athletes’ Experiences Answering Subjective Questionnaires: A Key Ingredient for ‘Visible’ Health and Performance Monitoring?
