"I didn't have to look her in the eyes"-participants' experiences of the therapeutic relationship in internet-based psychodynamic therapy for adolescent depression.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Lindqvist K; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.; Mechler J; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.; Midgley N; Child Attachment and Psychological Therapies Research Unit (ChAPTRe), Anna Freud Centre / University College London, UK.; Carlbring P; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.; Carstorp K; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.; Neikter HK; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.; Strid F; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.; Von Below C; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.; Philips B; Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Source
- Publisher: Routledge Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9110958 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1468-4381 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10503307 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Psychother Res Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Objective: To explore young people's perceptions of the relationship with the therapist in internet-based psychodynamic treatment for adolescent depression. Method: As a part of a randomized controlled trial, 18 adolescents aged 15-19 were interviewed after participating in treatment. Interviews followed a semi-structured interview schedule and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The findings are reported around four main themes: "a meaningful and significant relationship with someone who cared", "a helping relationship with someone who guided and motivated me through therapy"; "a relationship made safer and more open by the fact that we didn't have to meet" and "a nonsignificant relationship with someone I didn't really know and who didn't know me". Conclusion: Even when contact is entirely text-based, it is possible to form a close and significant relationship with a therapist in internet-based psychodynamic treatment. Clinicians need to monitor the relationship and seek to repair ruptures when they emerge. Trial registration: ISRCTN.org identifier: ISRCTN16206254..