Exploring Psychotherapists' Attitudes on Internet- and Mobile-Based Interventions in Germany: Thematic Analysis

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Psychotherapy Research
• Digital Health

Background:

• Internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) are increasingly used in mental health care, prompting societal discussion.
• Understanding psychotherapists' views is crucial for optimizing IMI implementation and identifying facilitators and barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore psychotherapists' perspectives on the opportunities, facilitators, and barriers related to using IMIs in clinical practice.
• To gather insights for improving the development and integration of digital mental health tools.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research design using a cross-sectional survey with open-ended questions.
• Survey distributed to 350 psychotherapists to collect written opinions on IMIs.
• Thematic analysis employed to identify key themes from the collected data.

Main Results:

• Eleven core themes emerged, categorized into Applicability, Treatment Resources, Technology, and Perceived Risks and Barriers.
• Psychotherapists see IMIs as supportive tools, not substitutes for conventional therapy, citing concerns about technology, data privacy, standardization, and costs.
• A demand exists for accessible information on evidence and programs to streamline training and inform new IMI designs.

Conclusions:

• Psychotherapists' attitudes are vital for the successful development, evaluation, and implementation of IMIs.
• IMIs are recognized for their potential benefits but also present risks, reinforcing their role as adjuncts to traditional psychotherapy.
• Involving psychotherapists in discussions and development processes for IMIs and broader psychotherapy innovations is essential for advancing digital mental health care.