Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Psychotherapists' Challenges with Online Therapy: Improving Connectedness and Efficacy

Psychotherapists\' Challenges with Online Therapy: Improving Connectedness and Efficacy

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the landscape of psychotherapy, compelling many therapists to transition from in-person sessions to online therapy. This abrupt shift has presented various challenges, particularly in terms of emotional connectedness, which have had a significant impact on therapists' perceptions of online therapy's efficacy. The study "Psychotherapists’ Challenges With Online Therapy During COVID-19: Concerns About Connectedness Predict Therapists’ Negative View of Online Therapy and Its Perceived Efficacy Over Time" provides valuable insights into these challenges and offers guidance on how to address them.

According to the research, therapists faced four main types of challenges during the transition to online therapy:

Interestingly, the study found that older and more experienced therapists perceived fewer challenges in their online sessions. At the baseline, all four types of challenges were associated with lower perceived quality of the therapeutic relationship and more negative attitudes toward online therapy and its efficacy. However, after three months, perceived challenges in three domains—emotional connection, patients’ privacy, and therapists’ boundaries—significantly decreased, whereas challenges in the domain of distraction increased.

These findings highlight the importance of addressing emotional connectedness in online therapy. Therapists' concerns about being able to connect with patients online were the most impactful, predicting negative attitudes toward online therapy and its perceived efficacy three months later. To improve outcomes, therapists can take several steps:

Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of training and first-hand experience in online therapy. Even under the stressful circumstances of a global pandemic, experiencing and overcoming initial challenges led to more positive attitudes toward online therapy and its efficacy. Thus, incorporating online therapy training into the curriculum for psychology trainees and providing ongoing professional development for practicing therapists can help mitigate initial concerns and improve outcomes.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Psychotherapists’ Challenges With Online Therapy During COVID-19: Concerns About Connectedness Predict Therapists’ Negative View of Online Therapy and Its Perceived Efficacy Over Time.


Citation: Békés, V., Aafjes-van Doorn, K., Luo, X., Prout, T. A., & Hoffman, L. (2021). Psychotherapists’ challenges with online therapy during COVID-19: Concerns about connectedness predict therapists’ negative view of online therapy and its perceived efficacy over time. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 705699. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.705699
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP

Apply Today

If you are looking for a rewarding career
in online therapy apply today!

APPLY NOW

Sign Up For a Demo Today

Does your school need
Online Therapy Services

SIGN UP