Abstract
Introduction:
Teletherapy is an increasingly common delivery platform that can increase access to mental health care for marginalized and underserved populations seeking competent therapy providers. To date, little empirical work details the teletherapy experiences of multiply marginalized populations, such as Two Spirit, transgender, and nonbinary people of color (2STNB POC).
Methods:
Participants in a parent open clinical trial (N = 49) engaged in the Healing through Ongoing Psychological Empowerment (HOPE) teletherapy psychotherapy intervention. Participants (N = 47) were interviewed postintervention to gather data about their experiences with teletherapy for the intervention. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and to identify common themes.
Results:
Among positive experiences using teletherapy, we identified 10 subthemes, which included increased access, the ability to be in a familiar space, alignment with personal preference, and personalization with therapists. Among negative experiences with teletherapy, we identified 12 subthemes, which included distractions, technology issues, difficulties with body language, affect, and engagement with the therapy process, lack of privacy or a safe environment, and lack of a dedicated therapeutic or transition space.
Discussion:
Overall, most participants reported a positive experience with teletherapy and satisfaction with the services received. Teletherapy appears to be a feasible and acceptable way to deliver psychotherapy to 2STNB POC, having many significant positive aspects. However, providers should be mindful of the challenging aspects of teletherapy to reduce barriers with the modality.
The registration number for this clinical trial is ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT 05140174.
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