Potentialities and Barriers of Online Psychotherapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

Abstract

Abstract The pandemic of COVID-19 demanded unprecedented efforts from psychologists to adapt to technology-mediated care. This study aimed to analyze the scientific production concerning the perception of Brazilian psychologists on online psychotherapy during the pandemic through a scoping review. We consulted four databases, while the reviewed corpus comprehended 29 studies. Psychologists identified both benefits and barriers in the transition to online psychotherapy practice, but the perception that the sparing use of this resource is valid and beneficial predominated. There is a strong perception that information and communication technologies will definitely integrate the repertoire of resources used by psychotherapists, as another relevant alternative, posing the need for further studies.

Keywords

• covid-19
• pandemics
• psychotherapy
• social isolation
• mental health