Remote Psychotherapy During the Coronavirus Pandemic (1 CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Counselors

Course By: Ken Springer, PhD

Content By:  McBeath, A. G., du Plock, S., & Bager-Charleson, S. (2020). The challenges and experiences of psychotherapists working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic. Counseling Psychotherapy Research, (20), 394-405.

https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12326

Course Description:  Few studies have explored the challenges that psychotherapists face when providing therapy remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study used a mixed-methods approach to better understand the experiences of therapists who work remotely. Responses to multiple-choice survey questions showed that therapists find remote psychotherapy challenging due to factors such as limited interpersonal cues, technological difficulties, and a sense of isolation. At the same time, most therapists consider remote therapy to be effective, and they feel that clients are comfortable with this approach. Responses to open-ended survey questions further illuminated the challenges psychotherapists face when adapting to remote psychotherapy, as well as the opportunities they believe that remote technologies provide. The results have implications for the practice of remote psychotherapy and for the support of therapists who deliver psychological services remotely.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the context for the study and the mixed-methods approach to data collection
2. Describe the main findings of the study concerning the challenges and benefits of remote psychotherapy
3. Integrate the strengths and limitations of the study, and summarize the clinical implications for the practice of remote psychotherapy

Course Outline:

• Read and understand The challenges and experiences of psychotherapists working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Analyze the contributions of quantitative and qualitative data to the study
• Integrate the study's key findings, strengths, limitations, and clinical implications
• Work through the post-test questions, using the article as the sole basis for your answers

Revisit the article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the challenges and opportunities experienced by psychotherapists who deliver therapy remotely

Approvals: