Online Experiences of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists During the Pandemic

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how psychotherapists who follow the psychoanalytic theoretical orientation experience individual online sessions. Twelve professionals participated: seven women and five men, aged between 27 and 68 years old, with an average clinical experience of 17.3 years, based in the Southeastern region of Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were employed to assess their experiences. The data collected between October 2021 and June 2022 were analyzed using Bardin's (2008) method and interpreted considering psychoanalytic literature. The findings encompassed experiences before Resolution 04/2020 of the Brazilian Federal Council of Psychology, preconceptions, preparations, resources utilized, subjective impacts, and future perspectives regarding this mode of practice. The study indicated that the participants navigated and continued to navigate new territories, confirming that remote therapy is an important resource that will persist even after the pandemic subsides.