Exploring Technical Features to Enhance Control in Videoconferencing Psychotherapy: Quantitative Study on Clinicians'...

Area of Science:

• Psychology and Mental Health Technology
• Clinical Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the use of videoconferencing platforms for psychotherapy.
• Therapists have expressed hesitation towards videoconferencing psychotherapy (VCP) due to perceived difficulties in maintaining control.
• Previous research identified potential features to enhance therapist control in VCP sessions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if technical features improve clinicians' control during video therapy sessions.
• To understand the technical and relational aspects of video's role in therapists' VCP experience.
• To explore the impact of specific features on therapist control and therapeutic relationships.

Main Methods:

• Survey distributed to 121 mental health professionals, with 86 providing complete data.
• Exploratory Factor Analysis to identify key factors from collected data.
• Path analysis used to examine relationships between identified factors, controlling for expertise and experience.

Main Results:

• Three factors were identified: 'challenges in providing VCP,' 'features to enhance the therapeutic relationship,' and 'enhancing control.'
• Implementing features significantly reduced therapists' challenges and enhanced their control over VCP sessions.
• A significant positive relationship was found between features enhancing the therapeutic relationship and enhanced control, with features to enhance TR being key (effect size=0.25).

Conclusions:

• Technology, through specific features, can significantly improve therapists' VCP experience by increasing their sense of control.
• Enhanced therapist control facilitates effective patient service and successful therapy outcomes in VCP.
• The study supports general system theory, viewing video as an active agent influencing the therapeutic process.