Online psychotherapy for trauma patients with a pet
Online psychotherapy: does it work?
If you compare online psychotherapy, i.e. therapy via video-conferencing and support via an app, with 'regular' psychotherapy in a treatment room in a healthcare institution, online psychotherapy appears to be just as effective and sometimes even more effective. However, online psychotherapy is not booming. Therapists and patients seem reluctant in embracing online psychotherapy. One of the reasons is that they expect the online therapeutic alliance between therapist and patient to be inferior compared to regular psychotherapy. They also presume that the therapy will not be as effective and that the therapist will not be able to reassure or comfort the patient when negative emotions emerge.
The role of the pet
Interestingly, pets have a natural tendency to come see and 'nose around' when the owner experiences negative emotions, such as fear or sadness. Studies into the effectiveness of therapists who work 'live' with animals show positive results. We also know from research that pets provide social support and that their presence has a relaxing effect. The therapist can consciously use the patient's pet during online treatment. Interaction with the animal can help the patient to continue with the therapy in difficult moments (together we can do this). The pet also helps to tell difficult stories (the animal keeps me calm, keeps me from dropping out). And cuddling, playing or walking with the pet after an intensive session can be used as a reward or comfort. Naturally, the well-being of both patient and pet is always central.
Research question
This project investigates the effect of interacting with pets during an online therapy session. The research focuses specifically on online psychotherapy for PTSD or other trauma complaints. The effect on the quality of the relationship between therapist and patient and on the process of online therapy is examined. Furthermore, attachment to animals and people, interaction with the pet in daily life and the patient's self-regulation are examined. The investigation is limited to the presence of dogs or cats.
Collaboration
The researchers collaborate with PsyQ, a healthcare institution that focuses on mental problems. PsyQ provides oa online-EMDR in the treatment for patients with trauma-related complaints. Patients who want to participate in the study complete a questionnaire about symptoms and process variables every week for 16 weeks. More extensive questionnaires are administered at 5 time-points during the treatment process. In addition, the therapists are questioned about the quality of the working alliance with the patients, attachment styles, the expected effect or failure of the treatment, and adherence to the protocol, including questions about the inclusion of nature and pets in the sessions. This way it should become clear what the effect is of the presence and inclusion of a nature and pets during online psychotherapy sessions.
This two-year study is entitled: The effect of the interaction with nature and pets in online video-conferencing psychotherapy with logging app-support for trauma-related disorders: A naturalistic study of pet owners versus non-pet owners. Data collection has started in May 2023.
