“Wireless connection”: A contradiction in terms? From three-dimensional to two-dimensional: Digital psychoanalytic therapy.

This study explores the evolving landscape of psychoanalytic therapy in the digital age, focusing on the shift from traditional in-person sessions to online formats following the COVID-19 pandemic. Grounded in psychoanalytic theory, the research investigates how the transition from a three-dimensional therapeutic setting to a two-dimensional, screen-based interaction affects key elements such as corporeality, spatiality, and the integrity of the therapeutic frame. Through semistructured interviews with seven psychoanalytically oriented therapists, the study examines the impact on transference dynamics, embodied presence, and free association. The findings reveal that while online therapy offers convenience, it challenges the depth of psychoanalytic processes. Key concerns include the disruption of therapeutic rituals, the loss of embodied interaction, and the psychological distance created by the digital interface. Despite these challenges, the study identifies benefits for some patients, as the physical distance can facilitate expression for those who find in-person sessions engulfing. Ultimately, this research contributes to understanding the digitalization of psychoanalytic therapy, suggesting that while digital therapy can complement traditional approaches, it cannot fully replace the embodied experience of face-to-face sessions. These insights aim to inform future psychoanalytic practices, encouraging a balanced consideration of digital and in-person therapeutic modalities.