| The rapid shift from in-person to telemental health (TMH) services, accelerated by the COVID19 pandemic, has significantly impacted mental health providers. While TMH has been an emerging
modality for years, the abrupt and widespread adoption brought both opportunities and challenges that
required providers to quickly adapt. This study explores the experiences of university mental health
providers as they navigated the rapid transition from in-person to telemental health, examining the
challenges, benefits, and overall adaptation process. The research explores the factors influencing
providers’ perceptions of TMH and the strengths they identified during the transition.
Employing a phenomenological framework coupled with Appreciative Inquiry, the study
examines how providers ensured effective and ethically compliant sessions amidst the challenges posed
by the pandemic. Through qualitative analysis, the research also investigated the ongoing provision of
TMH services to students. The theoretical integration of phenomenology and Appreciative Inquiry
offers a comprehensive understanding of providers’ experiences, highlighting challenges and
opportunities encountered during the shift to online therapy. Using qualitative methods, the researcher
conducted in-depth interviews with licensed providers across various disciplines, including
psychologists, social workers, and counselors. This study’s findings contribute to guiding best practices
for mental health providers delivering TMH services and offer insights into optimizing service delivery
in the university setting amidst unprecedented circumstances.
Keywords: TMH, counseling, COVID-19 pandemic |