When therapy goes online: How orientation, experience, and perceived patient openness shape attitudes toward online therapy. A study based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology for Therapists during the COVID‐19 pandemic

StatusVoR
Simple item page
dc.abstract.enObjectives This study examined the key factors associated with psychotherapists' attitudes toward online therapy, with particular focus on therapeutic orientation, age, years of professional experience, prior technological experience, and perceived patient openness. Conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study was based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology for Therapists (UTAUT-T) framework to better understand therapists' acceptance of online therapeutic modalities. Method The study involved 387 psychotherapists representing various therapeutic approaches, who completed an online self-report questionnaire. The instruments used included the UTAUT-T questionnaire, a custom use behavior questionnaire, and a demographic survey. Results The final sample included 387 psychotherapists. The multivariate test showed significant differences between therapeutic orientations, F(24, 1468) = 3.39, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.05 [0.02, 0.06]. Psychodynamic therapists consistently reported a more negative attitude toward therapy than cognitive-behavioral, systemic, humanistic, or therapists representing other therapeutic orientations. These differences were particularly pronounced for Professional Support (e.g., psychodynamic vs. CBT, t = −7.75, p < 0.001, d = 1.20[0.86; 1.52]) and for the total UTAUT-T score (e.g., t = −5.48, p < 0.001, d = 0.87[0.54; 1.18]). Prior technological experience and perceived patient openness were both positively associated with therapists' attitudes toward online therapy (both p < 0.001), whereas age and years of professional experience were not significantly associated with technology acceptance. Conclusions The study highlights the crucial role of therapeutic orientation, prior experience with technology, and perceived patient openness in shaping therapists' acceptance of online therapy. These results underscore the need for targeted training and support to facilitate the successful integration of digital technologies into routine psychotherapeutic practice. Future research should continue to explore these dynamics under non-crisis conditions to ensure the sustainable development of online therapy services.
dc.affiliationWydział Projektowania w Warszawie
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii w Warszawie
dc.affiliationInstytut Psychologii
dc.contributor.authorKoch, Agnieszka
dc.contributor.authorGraczykowska, Agata
dc.contributor.authorSzumiał, Szymon
dc.contributor.authorMarszał-Wiśniewska, Magdalena
dc.date.access2026-09-10
dc.date.accessioned2026-09-10T13:11:58Z
dc.date.available2026-09-10T13:11:58Z
dc.date.created2026-07-28
dc.date.issued2026-09-10
dc.description.abstract<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Objectives</jats:title> <jats:p>This study examined the key factors associated with psychotherapists' attitudes toward online therapy, with particular focus on therapeutic orientation, age, years of professional experience, prior technological experience, and perceived patient openness. Conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic, the study was based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology for Therapists (UTAUT‐T) framework to better understand therapists' acceptance of online therapeutic modalities.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Method</jats:title> <jats:p>The study involved 387 psychotherapists representing various therapeutic approaches, who completed an online self‐report questionnaire. The instruments used included the UTAUT‐T questionnaire, a custom use behavior questionnaire, and a demographic survey.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p> The final sample included 387 psychotherapists. The multivariate test showed significant differences between therapeutic orientations, <jats:italic>F</jats:italic> (24, 1468) = 3.39, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic>  &lt; 0.001, <jats:italic>η</jats:italic> <jats:sup>2</jats:sup>  = 0.05 [0.02, 0.06]. Psychodynamic therapists consistently reported a more negative attitude toward therapy than cognitive‐behavioral, systemic, humanistic, or therapists representing other therapeutic orientations. These differences were particularly pronounced for Professional Support (e.g., psychodynamic vs. CBT, <jats:italic>t</jats:italic>  = −7.75, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic>  &lt; 0.001, <jats:italic>d</jats:italic>  = 1.20[0.86; 1.52]) and for the total UTAUT‐T score (e.g., <jats:italic>t</jats:italic>  = −5.48, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic>  &lt; 0.001, <jats:italic>d</jats:italic>  = 0.87[0.54; 1.18]). Prior technological experience and perceived patient openness were both positively associated with therapists' attitudes toward online therapy (both <jats:italic>p</jats:italic>  &lt; 0.001), whereas age and years of professional experience were not significantly associated with technology acceptance. </jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title> <jats:p>The study highlights the crucial role of therapeutic orientation, prior experience with technology, and perceived patient openness in shaping therapists' acceptance of online therapy. These results underscore the need for targeted training and support to facilitate the successful integration of digital technologies into routine psychotherapeutic practice. Future research should continue to explore these dynamics under non‐crisis conditions to ensure the sustainable development of online therapy services.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
dc.description.accesstimebefore_publication
dc.description.sdgGoodHealthAndWellBeing
dc.description.sdgQualityEducation
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.identifier.doi10.1002/jclp.70208
dc.identifier.issn0021-9762
dc.identifier.issn1097-4679
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2518
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jclp.70208
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsClosedAccess
dc.rights.explanationWersja za paywallem
dc.rights.questionNo_rights
dc.share.articleOTHER
dc.subject.enCOVID‐19 pandemic
dc.subject.enonline therapy
dc.subject.entechnology acceptance
dc.subject.entherapeutic orientation
dc.subject.enUTAUT
dc.subject.enUTAUT‐T
dc.swps.sciencecloudnosend
dc.titleWhen therapy goes online: How orientation, experience, and perceived patient openness shape attitudes toward online therapy. A study based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology for Therapists during the COVID‐19 pandemic
dc.title.journalJournal of Clinical Psychology
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle