Telepsychotherapie als Chance und Herausforderung: Eine longitudinale Mixed-Methods Studie

Höfner, Claudia; Hochgerner, Markus; Mantl, Gerd; Stefan, Robert; Stammer, Julia

Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis and successive lockdowns, psychotherapists are challenged to rapidly transition to telepsychotherapy (TEP). The current study investigates how the sudden change is managed and how experienced psychotherapists feel in dealing with TEP, which changes in therapeutic relationship are perceived, and which treatment techniques appear to be particularly appropriate in TEP. The research was conducted longitudinally with two data collection points using a mixed-methods research design. It is found that the switch to TEP is well managed and that experience with specific apps and video telephony increased significantly. The results of the study suggest a certain adaptability of psychotherapists for the present sample and show that there is no general tendency in perceiving a deterioration in the quality of the therapeutic relationship through TEP and that, over time, therapeutic techniques are being adapted from the face-to-face situation to TEP.