The Assessment of Effectiveness by Therapists of Online Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic Era in Israel

This study aims to examine the transition from face-to-face (FtF) to online psychotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we appraised the effectiveness of online psychotherapy (OT) during the COVID-19 pandemia. We assessed the implementation of the major components of the helping process and studied the factors that can predict this positive assessment, all from the point of view of the therapist. Participants were 192 psychotherapists recruited through a convenience sample, from three different regions in the country. Therapists were asked to assess three measures: the Effectiveness of Online Therapy (EOT), Online Therapy Preparedness (OTP), and Attitude Toward Telemedicine in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (ATiPP) Questionnaires. Associations between EOT, OTP, and ATiPP, as well as demographic and professional variables, were analyzed using bivariate analyses. A multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the contribution of the independent variables to EOT. Therapists reported high levels of EOT, OTP, and ATiPP. In addition, years of experience in therapy were found to contribute to EOT. Increasing exposure to online therapy through education as well as investing in the training and preparation of therapists in online therapy may be a pathway to enhance more effective OT, especially among those who have little experience.