Experience and Professional Training of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists in the Use of Information and Communication Technologies

Abstract

The increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in face-to-face psychoanalytic psychotherapy makes it necessary to reflect on how clinical professionals have perceived the inflow of these resources into their practice and how they prepare to handle these technologies in an ethical and safe manner in psychotherapy. In this context, the aim of this study was to understand psychotherapists’ perceptions regarding the use of information and communication technologies on their patients, identify the use of ICTs at different psychic functioning levels and verify psychotherapists’ scientific knowledge concerning their professional training. Qualitative and exploratory research was carried out with 11 psychologists specialized in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The psychologists filled out a sociodemographic data sheet and answered a semi-structured interview. Data was analyzed through a thematic analysis. The results indicate that information and communication technologies can serve both as a work tool and as a barrier to professional practice. In addition, lack of instrumentation may hinder psychotherapy practice adherence in these new technological environments. This study contributed to identifying different ways of using social media in psychotherapy and aided in broadening discussions on the subject.

Psychology; Clinical; Psychotherapy; Psychoanalysis; Social Media