EXPERIENCES OF COUNSELORS DELIVERING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH TELETHERAPY

Abstract

Teletherapy has rapidly evolved as an essential mode of delivering counseling services, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which reshaped traditional therapeutic practices. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of counselors providing teletherapy, focusing on the challenges, strategies, and perceived outcomes of this practice. A qualitative research design was employed, and data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with six practicing counselors from diverse clinical and counseling settings. Thematic analysis revealed ten superordinate themes: transition to teletherapy, accessibility and convenience, challenges in teletherapy, client–therapist dynamics, ethical and risk management, coping and adaptation strategies, psychological and emotional impact, professional growth, future directions, and cultural considerations. Results indicated that teletherapy improved accessibility, flexibility, and client engagement, particularly for geographically distant clients, but also presented notable challenges including technical barriers, limited non-verbal communication, confidentiality concerns, and crisis intervention limitations. Counselors adopted strategies such as hybrid models, active questioning, structured routines, and technology optimization to enhance therapeutic effectiveness. This study underscores the importance of culturally sensitive tools, structured teletherapy training, and clear ethical guidelines to ensure the sustainable integration of teletherapy within mainstream counseling practices.