The public health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic are over, and it is time now to look back on the effects on psychotherapists and how they coped with this major upheaval in their social and professional lives. This may provide a window into understanding how therapists cope with significant life upheavals. Psychotherapists did not have time to prepare for the changes caused by the pandemic, and several studies noted increased challenges to therapists’ mental health during this period. In this qualitative study, Ilknur Dilekler and colleagues interviewed 11 experienced psychotherapists in private practice in Türkiye between 2020 and 2021 at the height of the pandemic. The authors did a qualitative thematic analysis of the interviews. Their goal was to understand therapists’ experiences during the pandemic and how they coped with its adverse effects. The first major theme that emerged had to do with changes. Changes to therapists’ professional lives related to having to rearrange their home environment to serve as a workplace and to learn to use technology to provide psychotherapy. This impacted changes in daily life since boundaries between work and private life blurred, thus increasing their workload at home. The second major theme related to how these changes affected therapists. Therapists reported a lack of information about the virus and interruptions in their social and family life, resulting in feelings of pessimism, despair, and fear about the future. There were also feelings of optimism and gratitude. Therapists were grateful that they could continue working despite the limitations caused by the restrictions. The third major theme had to do with coping. First, therapists reported actions to boost their immune system and efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as eating well and exercising. Second, therapists also had to cope with difficult feelings by using technology to find new ways to meet with their friends, family, and colleagues online. Therapists reported relying more on peers, receiving psychotherapy, and other forms of social support to help them through difficult periods. Finally, the therapists coped by enhancing their competencies by getting training through online seminars, keeping track of national guidelines for providing virtual care, and obtaining supervision.
Practice Implications
Psychotherapists were challenged by the pandemic and public health restrictions. Despite the feelings of pessimism and despair, these therapists endured and appeared to make the most of a difficult situation. They adapted by learning to use technologies to provide therapies and found novel ways of staying engaged professionally. They increased their sense of competence by seeking out continuing professional education, supervision, and personal therapy. They remained connected with family, friends and colleagues. These are examples of self-care therapists engaged in to live through the pandemic and may serve them well as they encounter other challenges during their professional careers.
Dilekler Aldemir, İ., Karanci, A. N., Ikizer, G., & Karlı, M. R. (2024). Navigating the challenges and coping strategies of psychotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pro0000603.
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