The impact of technology on therapeutic alliance and engagement in psychotherapy: The therapist's perspective

Abstract

Objective

In this article, we investigate therapist views on their experiences using a technological adjunct (goACT) to traditional, face‐to‐face psychotherapy. goACT is a web‐based mobile interactive software application that facilitates an interactive platform, allowing therapists to connect with their clients between face‐to‐face psychotherapy sessions.

Method

Participants were six provisional psychologists and seven patients. Data were collected at two post‐therapy focus groups in order to qualitatively understand therapist experience of goACT as a therapy adjunct. Data were analysed utilising thematic analysis.

Results

Four main themes emerged: (1) “discretional use of goACT” linked to therapist preferences and client suitability; (2) “therapist concerns” linked to boundaries, workload, technological glitches, and therapeutic risks; (3) “goACT expands the parameters of therapy” through increased opportunities to provide care and connection with patients and increased access to the process of therapy; and (4) “goACT enhances therapy” through reciprocal responsibility and guided empowerment. Therapists in this study were more open to the use of technology in therapy than has been reported in previous research and did not find that it affected their workload.

Conclusion

Therapists indicated that when aligned to the specific needs of individual patients, an advanced mobile and web‐based interactive software application (goACT) has the potential to enhance engagement, rapport, and patient empowerment in face‐to‐face psychotherapy.

Abstract

Key words:

• adjunct technology
• e‐mental health
• engagement
• online therapy
• therapeutic relationship
• therapist experience

Funding: None.

Conflict of interest: None.

[Correction added on 05 May 2017, after first online publication: Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Verbania, Italy has been added as another affiliation for the following authors: Giada PIETRABISSA and Gianluca CASTELNUOVO.]

Funding: None.

Conflict of interest: None.

[Correction added on 05 May 2017, after first online publication: Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Verbania, Italy has been added as another affiliation for the following authors: Giada PIETRABISSA and Gianluca CASTELNUOVO.]

Notes

Funding: None.

Conflict of interest: None.

[Correction added on 05 May 2017, after first online publication: Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Verbania, Italy has been added as another affiliation for the following authors: Giada PIETRABISSA and Gianluca CASTELNUOVO.]

1. The terms “psychotherapy” and “therapy” are used here to refer to psychological therapies (of various theoretical orientations) in general.