Counselors' Perceptions of Their Preparedness for Telemental Health Services: A Phenomenological Examination

Abstract

Background: To examine counselors' perceptions of their formal preparation for engaging in telemental health (TMH) counseling with the intent of gaining an understanding of their lived experiences. Materials and Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with seven seasoned counselors who regularly engage in technology-mediated distance counseling. Results: The results highlighted themes within two emerging categories: the counselor and training/education. Themes related to motivation and specific counselor attributes emerged from the first category and themes of availability, inadequacy, and modality emerged from the second category. Discussion: The implications from this study suggest a lack of availability and standardization of effective training on TMH delivery. Conclusion: This study identifies areas of potential future research related to counselors' preparation experiences as well specific areas of need for TMH training in counseling graduate programs and other natural opportunities.

Keywords

• distance counseling
• technology mediated
• telemental health
• phenomenology
• counselor education