Therapists’ teletherapy experiences during the pandemic in China and the United States

Abstract

ABSTRACT Therapists’ experience with teletherapy pre-pandemic differed widely across countries. We explored potential differences in teletherapy use in therapists in China and the USA in 2020. Results showed that pre-pandemic, therapists in China had more teletherapy training and experience, and they also had more positive views about teletherapy. During the pandemic, both groups reported more positive views on the effectiveness of teletherapy. Unlike the therapists in China, therapists in the USA reported an increase in their use of self-disclosure. Therapists reported similar experience with the therapeutic relationship. These findings highlight general similarities along with specific differences between the groups, and future research is needed to examine teletherapy experiences and to develop effective therapist trainings, outside of the pandemic context.