(PS10-B44) Therapist Perspectives of Face to Face Therapy and Teletherapy Regarding Therapeutic Alliance

Face-to-face (f2f) therapy in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic posed a challenge to therapists as the need for social distancing arose. Psychotherapy practitioners were forced to shift to a teletherapy model. Therapeutic alliance is known to be a crucial aspect of therapeutic change and positive therapy outcomes. Teletherapy has been proposed to be an efficient and cost-effective way to treat a range of mental health disorders. The ease of video and audio quality, lip-voice synchronization, and the presence of distractions are key features for maintaining the teletherapeutic alliance. This study explored whether therapist’s ratings of the teletherapeutic alliance, measured with Working Alliance Inventory-S (WAI-S), can be the same as f2f therapy. Additionally, the study investigated what influencing factors may inhibit the formation of a strong teletherapeutic alliance. Licensed psychologists were recruited through social media and email listservs. Participants completed a survey containing the WAI-S for both a teletherapy patient and a f2f patient. The survey additionally asked therapists about their assessment of using technology for therapy through a serious of technology related questions. A scale called technology ease (TE) was created. The therapeutic alliance of teletherapy was found to be statistically equal to f2f therapy on therapist’s account (t(48)= -1.36, p=.180). Lower alliance ratings for teletherapy were due to the therapist’s technology ease (TE). Comparable alliances for f2f and teletherapy can be established, thus offering potential long-term benefits to the use of teletherapy such as increased access to psychological services; scheduling ease for those homebound due to work or other physical limitations, lack of transportation, and availability of services where they reside.