Psychotherapy via videoconferencing: An interpretive phenomenological analysis study among individuals experiencing body image dissatisfaction
- Title
- Psychotherapy via videoconferencing: An interpretive phenomenological analysis study among individuals experiencing body image dissatisfaction
- Creator
- Ema Exnerova
- Supervisor
- Prof Isabel Henton and Dr Maria Kordowicz
- Date
- 2024
- Abstract
-
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a new phenomenon of “Zoom dysmorphia” emerged in the empirical literature, implying a causal link between time spent on videoconferencing calls and increased appearance dissatisfaction. Videoconferencing is also used in psychotherapy, including for clients experiencing body image dissatisfaction (BID). Existing literature on videoconferencing psychotherapy (VCP) and BID, stemming primarily from the field of eating disorders (EDs), explores therapeutic alliance, client satisfaction and overall experiences of VCP. Some authors have suggested a link between VCP and self-consciousness; however, none have explored the texture and meaning of the self-view, nor individuals’ experiences of being seen in this context. This study investigates the lived experiences of seven individuals with BID regarding being seen and seeing themselves in VCP. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via a videoconferencing platform and analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three group experiential themes (GETs) were identified. GET 1: Absence of the (Whole) Physical Body highlighted how VCP introduced a sense of distance and limited full-body visibility. GET 2: Shifting Control in VCP explored participants’ feelings of control through appearance curation and the uncertainty from not knowing the therapist’s focus and experiencing technical glitches. GET 3: The Mirror of VCP captured participants’ experience of VCP as a mirror, leading to varying levels of self-scrutiny and comparisons with the therapist’s image. The study is particularly relevant to counselling psychology (CoP), given its emphasis on relationality (being-in-the-world-with-others) and pluralism (actively engaging with a multiplicity of truths and perspectives). The study can also aid counselling psychologists (CoPs) in being more reflexive in their practice and in continually questioning their assumptions about VCP as a therapeutic medium.
Keywords: body image dissatisfaction, videoconferencing psychotherapy, interpretative
phenomenological analysis, counselling psychology - Subject
- Psychology and Psychotherapy
- Extent
- 212 Pages
- Format
- Document
- degree
- Doctorate, DPsych
- Language
- Eng
- Date Issued
- 2024
- Item sets
- Theses or Dissertation
- Media
- Ema Exnerova Thesis.pdf