Télépsychologie et visioconsultation

Abstract

Telepsychology is an emerging field in present psychotherapeutic practices. There are different methods available to carry out psychotherapy at a distance. These methods more or less involve the participant's bodies. Videoconference is a technology that permits to users to see each other. This has an influence on interactions established at a distance. Video-interview is a method based on the adaptation online of the classical clinical face-to-face interview framework. Objectives1. Adapt the clinical interview framework online. Conceptualize a prototype device: http://www.ipsy.fr. 2. Compare the relationship between a patient and a psychologist during a face-to-face interview in a classical framework and on the online platform. Materials and methodsThe sample of our study was composed of two groups of four participants. Participants were adults and did not have alterated relationship to reality. We compared the video-interviews realized with two groups of participants: one previously handled in a traditional framework and the other solely met through the platform. We used a qualitative method to analyze video-interviews recordings: a 12 items theme based grid. We were very attentive to ethical rules and data security all along the platform development process and after that in the use of the device. ResultsPsychological processes activated in the context of video-interview are similar to those observed in “traditional” clinical consults, for both groups of participants. These results also show the tierce function of the device in the dual relationship between the patient and the clinical psychologist. These results open a reflexion on the process relative to the creation of an intersubjective relationship in telepsychotherapy. It seems that the study of the sense of presence might be useful to understand intersubjectivity in telepsychotherapy and more generally in digital relationships. ConclusionsA methodological work is still necessary to define telepsychotherapy. This work should include an ethical dimension, in order to preserve online users safety. Telepsychotherapy has many advantages, for example, it permits a better access to psychotherapy for isolated people. These people can be isolated geographically, or they might have mobility issues, or even psychological issues making it difficult for them to go in the psychologist office. Present boundaries are technical, but also methodological, with the lack of definition of an ethical and methodological framework of telepsychotherapy in France. We also notice the lack of longitudinal, quantitative and qualitative data on evaluation of telepsychotherapies efficacity. Also, some fundamental data should be explored theoretically, as the sense of presence.