“In my own comfort zone”: Clients' experiences of relational aspects of online therapy for alcohol problems

Atkinson, Louise

Abstract

Background: Therapists and counsellors increasingly use online video applications to offer treatment in place of face‐to‐face delivery. In the alcohol treatment sector, this offers a range of potential benefits for treatment providers. However, the impact of working remotely via video on the therapeutic relationship remains unclear and under‐researched. Aims: This study aimed to explore how alcohol treatment clients make sense of the relational aspects of therapy delivered remotely, and to examine how the use of remote therapy might disrupt existing ideas around the therapeutic relationship. Methodology: This study utilised a qualitative design using thematic analysis, with 15 participant interviews with adult service users from a single treatment provider. All participants had previously undertaken at least four 1‐h online therapy sessions. Findings: The themes that were identified highlighted the significance of the participants' own homes as the site of therapy, with emphasis on the comfort of the home, and the presence of family members and pets. Participants stressed the importance of viewing the face of the therapist, the establishment of a therapeutic bond and specific therapist qualities. Participants also reflected on issues around denial and avoidance associated with self‐image and identity. Discussion: There are nuanced and potentially unforeseen consequences of undertaking therapy for alcohol problems via video, relating to the significance of the therapy environment and relationship between client and therapist. This may include issues of shame, denial and avoidance, which are of particular significance for clients experiencing difficulties associated with alcohol.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 15, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Feb 11, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 21, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 3, 2023
• Journal: Counselling and Psychotherapy Research
• Print ISSN: 1746-1405
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 1005-1014
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12621
• Keywords: Alcohol, client's perspective, Skype, therapeutic relationship, therapy, video
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10465608
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/capr.12621