When Therapy Goes Online: How Orientation, Experience, and Perceived Patient Openness Shape Attitudes Toward Online Therapy. A Study Based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology for Therapists During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Publication date: Aug 08, 2026

This study examined the key factors associated with psychotherapists’ attitudes toward online therapy, with particular focus on therapeutic orientation, age, years of professional experience, prior technological experience, and perceived patient openness. Conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study was based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology for Therapists (UTAUT-T) framework to better understand therapists’ acceptance of online therapeutic modalities. The study involved 387 psychotherapists representing various therapeutic approaches, who completed an online self-report questionnaire. The instruments used included the UTAUT-T questionnaire, a custom use behavior questionnaire, and a demographic survey. The final sample included 387 psychotherapists. The multivariate test showed significant differences between therapeutic orientations, F(24, 1468) = 3. 39, p 

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