Patient experiences in receiving virtual psychotherapy: a qualitative study

Virtually delivered psychotherapy is a widely adopted means of providing mental health interventions. There is little research on patients' perspectives on this mode of delivering therapy, and their perspectives are important given that patient factors predict a large proportion of mental health outcomes. This study explores patients' experiences with online psychotherapy to help inform best practices. Thirty-three patients who were currently receiving synchronous, virtually delivered psychotherapy were interviewed. The interview focused on patient experiences, both positive and negative, and their recommendations for improving virtually delivered therapy. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. We used an inductive approach to thematic analysis in coding the transcripts. Audit trails and reflexive and independent coding ensured the trustworthiness and fidelity of the identified themes. Themes reflecting positive patient experiences included convenience, accessibility, and connection with the therapist. Themes of negative experiences included technology-related challenges, perceived disconnection due to not being physically present with a therapist, concerns about safety, and privacy issues. Patient characteristics and personal circumstances interacted with the online modality to affect their experiences. Patients recommended enhancing privacy and safety, utilizing online tools effectively, and encouraging therapists to be more deliberate in their non-verbal communication. For clinicians and researchers, this study outlines patients' perspectives on the aspects of virtual care that work effectively and those that could benefit from further improvement.