Disclosure and Empathy in a Group Teletherapy Setting

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Psychology
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Group teletherapy utilization increased post-COVID-19.
• Personal disclosure and empathy are crucial for treatment effectiveness and interpersonal functioning.
• Emerging adults are a key demographic for mental health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in personal disclosure and empathy within group teletherapy for emerging adults.
• To assess the development of interpersonal skills in a virtual therapeutic setting.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of group teletherapy session notes.
• Coding for initial disclosures, empathic responses, and similar disclosures.
• Measurement of participant disclosure and empathy levels over time.

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated consistent initial personal disclosures throughout the study.
• Engagement through empathic responses and similar disclosures showed a gradual increase over time.
• Group teletherapy facilitated the development of interpersonal skills in emerging adults.

Conclusions:

• Group teletherapy is a viable modality for fostering disclosure and empathy among emerging adults with mental illness.
• The study supports the continued research and application of teletherapy in mental healthcare.
• Teletherapy can effectively promote crucial interpersonal skills necessary for mental well-being.