Pathology

Sociology

Disease

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Social science

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Psychotherapist

Pandemic

Agency (philosophy)

Mental health

Sense of agency

Distress

Political science

Psychology

Set (abstract data type)

Programming language

Therapeutic relationship

Alliance

Face (sociological concept)

Public relations

Computer science

Etiquette

Medicine

Social psychology

Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy

The arrival of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has confronted us with a global and unprecedented challenge of community-wide psychological distress alongside reduced access to therapeutic services in the traditional face-to-face format, due to the need to self-isolate. This previously unimagineable set of circumstances provides a unique opportunity, and indeed an imperative, for videotherapy to fulfil its potential in addressing mental health and well-being needs from a distance. Historically, the uptake of videotherapy has been hindered by psychotherapist expectations of inferior therapeutic alliance and outcomes, in spite of considerable research evidence to the contrary. Research suggests that videotherapy provides a powerful pathway for clients to experience enhanced opportunities for self-expression, connection and intimacy. This more neutral therapeutic 'space' provides clients with multifarious opportunities for self-awareness, creative experience and collaboration, with potentially a greater sense of agency over their own experience. This paper explores ways in which videotherapy can lead to a revitalisation of the concept of the therapeutic relationship, in order to meet the challenges associated with COVID-19. A number of specific considerations for videotherapy adaptations and etiquette in the midst of COVID-19 are described.

Videotherapy and therapeutic alliance in the age of COVID‐19