Work

A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Mental Health Clinicians' Attitudes Toward Online Therapy

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: ABSTRACT Online psychological therapy practices have increased in frequency in recent years, especially since the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Recent research has proven their effectiveness; however, mental health clinicians' attitudes toward their use have been less explored. This is important as these attitudes can influence patient outcomes and the implementation of evidence‐based interventions. As such, we aimed to explore mental health clinicians' attitudes toward online therapy through a systematic review. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched, as well as gray literature (PsycEXTRA and ProQuest) and manual searches of Overton, charity websites, Google Scholar, and reference lists. Themes were identified from the resulting qualitative studies, and quantitative and mixed methods studies were mapped onto these themes using a matrix. The synthesis followed a narrative approach. Thirteen themes were discovered from the 28 included studies, which highlight a range of clinicians' attitudes toward online therapy, both positive and negative. Themes consist of the therapeutic relationship, communication and relational aspects, time and space, technical aspects, professional self‐doubt, individual differences, practical aspects, patient privacy, risk, perception of patient experience, transition to online therapy, change in attitude with the pandemic, and general attitudes/future intentions. Clinicians generally had somewhat positive attitudes toward online therapy, especially since the COVID‐19 pandemic; however, they also identified key limitations. Training clinicians to use technology and online modalities might be a key direction for future clinical practice and research to improve clinicians' confidence and attitudes toward online therapy.

Source: Mental Health Science

DOI: 10.1002/mhs2.70039

Authors: Tamara M. Whitehead, Duaa H. Alrashdi, Shiyi Bin, Eugenia Drini

Institutions: University College London, Goldsmiths University of London

Language: English

Topic: Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,400