3244 - THE RISE OF ONLINE THERAPY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: ARE GRADUATE PROGRAMS PREPARING FUTURE THERAPISTS FOR DIGITAL PRACTICES?

Session: 3243 - EMERGING CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAMS: ENHANCING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES OF FUTURE MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS
AUTHORS:
Torun Meryem (Ankara Medipol University ~ Ankara ~ Turkey) , Celik Cihat (Ankara Medipol University ~ Ankara ~ Turkey)
Abstract text:
The rapid development and expansion of technology and online therapy have transformed clinical practice. While the COVID‑19 pandemic accelerated adoption, sustained demand is now driven by accessibility, convenience, and evidence for effectiveness across a range of conditions. As this modality becomes increasingly embedded in mental health services, a critical question emerges: to what extent do graduate programs equip future therapists with the competencies required for digital practices, and how much attention is given to this area? Despite the widespread use of online therapy, formal training in competencies on online therapy remains limited in many curricula, creating challenges not only for clinical effectiveness but also for ethical, legal, and relational aspects of therapy in virtual contexts. This session will explore how graduate psychology programs are preparing or how they should be preparing students for the competencies required in online therapy. Specifically, it will examine the challenges that arise in digital practices, the extent to which graduate curricula address these competencies, if they address them at all, and potential recommendations for integrating digital therapy into training. By equipping future therapists with both practical skills and ethical sensitivity, graduate programs can ensure that online therapy becomes a core competency in modern clinical training. Such innovations will prepare mental health professionals to deliver effective and ethically well-grounded care in an increasingly digital therapeutic landscape.