Psychotherapists’ perceptions and attitudes towards the use of Online Therapy during Covid-19 pandemic in Harare, Zimbabwe

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue IX, September 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Psychotherapists’ perceptions and attitudes towards the use of Online Therapy during Covid-19 pandemic in Harare, Zimbabwe

Tracy Marumure¹,², Lee Dzaramba¹, Jerikias Marumure^2
1Allied Health Practitioners of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box A14 Avondale, Harare
² Great Zimbabwe University, Off Old Great Zimbabwe Road, Box 1235 Masvingo, Zimbabwe
Corresponding Author

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has unexpectedly forced many businesses and organisations to close their doors, including mental health services. This has driven many psychotherapists to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to provide services to their clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.However, little is known about how such technologies has impacted their practice.This study aimed to explore the perceptions of psychotherapists toward the use of online / cyber counselling. Data was collected via online dissemination of questionnaires 50 practising psychologists, from different areas of specialisations. The results showed their past experience with online psychotherapy, use of online platforms during the pandemic, the challenges they encountered in online sessions, and their general perceptions and attitudes toward online psychotherapy. Most psychotherapists showed a positive attitude towards online therapy during the pandemic, noting flexibility of the method among many others. The perceptions and attitudes are influenced by clinical experienced, availability of ICT tools and the ability to shift from the traditional face to face therapy to online therapy. Limitations of this survey study, implications and future directions were highlighted in this research.

Keywords: online therapy, attitudes, perceptions, Covid-19.

I. INTRODUCTION

Originating as a cluster of unexplained cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, novel coronavirus disease – officially designated as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization has reached the level of a pandemic, affecting countries all across the world (Rajkumar, 2020). To date (July 16th, 2021), over 188,655,968 confirmed cases including 4,067,517 deaths attributable to this disease have been reported (WH0, 2021). Covid-19 has currently affected people all over the world, changing the day to day way of life. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the mental health system by surprise, with the state of lockdown forcing businesses to close their doors, including many mental health services. In the wake of this global health crisis, many psychotherapists and other mental health professionals has been driven towards digital information and communication technologies (ICTs) for online consultations, providing continuity of care to their clients (Tohme et al, 2021).
Online therapeutic services have been around long before the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown (Tohme et al, 2021). Even during Sigmund Freud era letters

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