Relational teletherapy experiences of couple and family therapy trainees: “Reading the room,” exhaustion, and the comforts of home

This study sought to understand experiences of teletherapy with couples and families as it contrasts with individual clients and in ‐person therapy. We utilized a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to qualitative inquiry from data collected through open‐ended questions on a web‐based survey of graduate student trainees (n  = 66) in COAMFTE ‐accredited couple and family therapy programs. Thematic analysis identified the body‐of‐the‐therapist and client as they exist (and are obstructed) due to technology for creating barriers and opportunities in translating CFT intervention to telehealth platforms. Relational teletherapy culti vated therapist creativity and exhaustion. It also made plain the need for systemic interventions with children and adolescents that engages their parents and home environments. Implications for CFT practice, training, and intervention research are outlined.
Source: Journal of Marital and Family Therapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research