Online Therapy for Children: Yay or Nay? Clinicians' Insights from the COVID-19 Era.
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| Title: | Online Therapy for Children: Yay or Nay? Clinicians' Insights from the COVID-19 Era. |
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| Authors: | Hagyari-Donaldson, Paulina1,2 paulina.hagyariova@nottingham.ac.uk, Scott, Nicola1 |
| Source: | Child & Youth Care Forum. Jun2025, Vol. 54 Issue 3, p687-714. 28p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Psychotherapy, *Health services accessibility, *Qualitative research, *Mental health services, *Child psychiatry, *Research methodology, *COVID-19 pandemic, *Children, Psychologists, Medical care, Internet, Surveys, Thematic analysis, Attitudes of medical personnel, Videoconferencing, Technology, Therapeutic alliance |
| Abstract: | Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an almost overnight shift in mental healthcare from in-person to remote delivery. However, the feasibility of online therapy for children and its potential as a long-term fixture remain underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to explore the advantages, disadvantages, and suitability of online therapy for children, as perceived by pediatric clinicians delivering remote psychological interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Six qualified child psychologists with limited pre-pandemic online therapy experience were surveyed about their perspectives on online therapy for children using a qualitative descriptive approach. Data was analyzed using thematic network analysis. Results: Analysis revealed themes relating to: issues encountered in the areas of technology, resource availability, and therapeutic alliance; perceived advantages in children being digital natives, and online therapy's wide accessibility; and (un)suitability of specific client profiles and therapeutic techniques. Conclusions: Psychological interventions delivered via videoconferencing are not suitable for all children, but can be greatly beneficial for some. Client- and intervention-specific findings from this study can be used to guide future research aimed at clinical practice, developing tailored approaches, and informing policy for improving access to pediatric mental healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an almost overnight shift in mental healthcare from in-person to remote delivery. However, the feasibility of online therapy for children and its potential as a long-term fixture remain underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to explore the advantages, disadvantages, and suitability of online therapy for children, as perceived by pediatric clinicians delivering remote psychological interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Six qualified child psychologists with limited pre-pandemic online therapy experience were surveyed about their perspectives on online therapy for children using a qualitative descriptive approach. Data was analyzed using thematic network analysis. Results: Analysis revealed themes relating to: issues encountered in the areas of technology, resource availability, and therapeutic alliance; perceived advantages in children being digital natives, and online therapy's wide accessibility; and (un)suitability of specific client profiles and therapeutic techniques. Conclusions: Psychological interventions delivered via videoconferencing are not suitable for all children, but can be greatly beneficial for some. Client- and intervention-specific findings from this study can be used to guide future research aimed at clinical practice, developing tailored approaches, and informing policy for improving access to pediatric mental healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10531890 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10566-024-09835-3 |
