Digital Mental Health Use, Training Needs, and Attitudes Toward a Digital Navigator: A Cross-Sectional Survey of European Psychologists

Abstract Digital mental health is increasingly relevant to routine care, yet little is known about psychologists’ technology use, where they perceive training gaps, and how they view the digital navigator, who helps patients and psychologists integrate technology into care. This cross-sectional survey examined technology use, prior and desired training, and attitudes toward the digital navigator among psychologists in Europe. Data were collected between January and June 2025. The final analytic sample comprised 883 participants from 25 countries. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ordinal logistic regression, and thematic analysis. Online consultations were the most used, but the uptake of other technologies was uneven. Technology use was daily for 23.10%, while it was rare or absent among 31.93% of participants. Formal training was limited: 10.51% reported training during university and 13.97% after graduation. More than half reported insufficient skills, in implementation, technology selection, assessment, and digital therapeutic alliance. Interest in additional training was high (77.26%). Most participants received no support, yet 61.79% considered the digital navigator relevant and 57.77% could rely on such support. Digital mental health appears present, but not all technologies are equally embedded in practice. Furthermore, structural training during education or implementation support appears minimal, which might contribute to unequal adoption. The convenience sample was unevenly distributed across countries, measures were self-reported, and the cross-sectional design precludes causal inference. The digital navigator appears to be a valuable support role, but implementation will require structured training, supervision, practical support, governance, and well-defined implementation roles.