2024 Publications & Works

Therapists’ Self-Efficacy and Experiences Managing Clinical Risk in Teletherapy: A Mixed Methods Exploration

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-7-2024

Publication Title

British Journal of Guidance & Counselling

Abstract

Before teletherapy usage grew dramatically during COVID-19, clinicians considered it less suitable for patients experiencing high-risk behaviours and related psychopathology (e.g., self-injurious thoughts and behaviours). This mixed methods study assesses clinicians’ concerns by quantitatively and qualitatively exploring their experiences, satisfaction, and self-efficacy using teletherapy for high-risk patients. Mental healthcare providers (N = 75) completed a survey assessing teletherapy usage, attitudes, and risk assessment/management self-efficacy. Nine providers then completed semi-structured interviews on these topics. Clinicians reported more confidence assessing and managing risk in-person as compared to teletherapy, and they reported being more likely to treat high-risk patients face-to-face than virtually. Still, attitudes toward teletherapy were generally positive, and clinicians who confidently managed risk in-person also tended to be confident virtually, often reporting that they could administer evidence-based therapeutic interventions regardless of therapy modality. Qualitative analyses revealed both general and person-specific factors that conferred increased or diminished confidence when managing risk.

Keywords

teletherapy, clinician attitudes, telehealth, risk assessment, self-injurious thoughts and behaviours

DOI

10.1080/03069885.2024.2311209

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