Clients’ Lived Experiences of Face-to-Face, Online and Hybrid Psychotherapy: A Comparative Phenomenological Study

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology & Counselling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology & Counselling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.

4 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology & Counselling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective: With the expansion of communication technologies, psychotherapy services are increasingly delivered through in-person, online, and hybrid formats, each offering distinct experiences for clients. The present study aimed to comparatively explore clients’ lived experiences of in-person, online and hybrid psychotherapy using a descriptive phenomenological approach.
Research Methodology: The present study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological approach in 2025 in the city of Tabriz. The participants consisted of 35 clients of psychotherapy services who were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to three groups: in-person (n = 11), online (n = 9), and hybrid (n = 15). Prior to participation in the study, clients had received psychotherapy services in one of these formats from licensed counseling and psychology professionals holding at least a doctoral degree. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological method.
Findings: Data analysis resulted in the identification of six themes: quality of the therapeutic relationship; clients’ emotional experiences; practical and environmental factors; perceived effectiveness of the psychotherapy process; perceptions of the therapist’s role and the therapeutic process; and clients’ self-perceptions and personal changes. In-person psychotherapy was associated with deeper therapeutic relationships and a stronger sense of presence and empathy. Online psychotherapy facilitated accessibility and greater freedom of expression but was accompanied by technical limitations and reduced nonverbal communication. Hybrid psychotherapy provided a more balanced and flexible experience and contributed to continuity and stability in the counseling process.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that each psychotherapy format has specific strengths and limitations; however, hybrid psychotherapy may serve as an effective approach for addressing diverse client needs and enhancing the effectiveness of psychotherapy services.

Keywords

Clinical Psychology Studies
Volume 16, Issue 60
September 2025

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