Online therapy during COVID-19 and beyond: Evaluation of online therapists using level-based weight assessment method

Abstract

The quarantine measures taken to prevent the risk of transmitting COVID-19 have seriously affected the mental health of many people. Therefore, the demand for online therapy services has increased even more in this era. This chapter aims to provide guidance to individuals in choosing the most suitable online therapist from the array of available options through the development of a decision model. In this direction, the criteria that potential clients pay attention to when choosing therapists will be weighted with level-based weight assessment (LBWA) method. This study holds importance in shedding light on the criteria that clients prioritize when evaluating online therapists and how therapists are assessed based on these criteria. The absence of quantitative research on the evaluation of online therapists underscores a gap in the existing literature, highlighting the originality and significance of this study. © 2024, IGI Global. All rights reserved.