Online and face-to-face therapy during Covid-19 pandemic - determinants of the therapeutic relationship

The aim of the study: To assess how the therapeutic relationship is perceived by therapists both in online and face-to-face therapy during the Covid-19 pandemic and if the therapist's personal, professional, and psychological characteristics, as well as their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic influence their perception of the therapeutic relationship. Material and Methods: Recruited 327 psychotherapists from four European countries: Sweden (Northern Europe), Poland (Eastern Europe), Portugal (Southern Europe) and Germany (Central Europe). Used original questionnaire and the Scale to Assess Therapeutic Relationship (STAR), the Fear of Contracting COVID-19 Scale (FCS Covid-19), the Pandemic Fatigue Scale (PFS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU K-14) and the Sense of Efficacy Test (SET). Results: The therapeutic relationship is perceived as more effective and productive in face-to-face therapy, although therapists noticed more emotional difficulties in this form than in online therapy. The predictor of the assessment of the overall quality and strength of the therapeutic relationship in online therapy is the therapist's self -efficacy, whereas in face-to-face therapy are the therapist's depression, age and cognitive / behavioral approach. Discussion: Variables related with therapist's personal, occupational, psychological characteristics, and their experience with COVID-19 pandemic are related to the perception of the therapeutic relationship and these relationships, although in different configurations, apply to both online and face-to-face therapy. Conclusions: The obtained results broaden the scope of knowledge about the therapeutic relationship, and also encouraged therapists to reflect on the factors that are important for its assessment.