Psychotherapists' Perspectives and Support Needs in Treating Patients With Disabilities: Results From an Online Survey

IF 2.7 3区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Clinical psychology & psychotherapy Pub Date : 2025-09-30 DOI:10.1002/cpp.70159

Bastian Hardt, Merit Donauer, Kristina Dürr, Johannes Michalak

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Abstract

Objectives

Persons with disabilities are at elevated risk for mental disorders, yet little is known about the experiences, attitudes and needs of psychotherapists regarding this population. This study is among the first to examine outpatient psychotherapists' experiences in treating patients with disabilities and to explore their perspectives on accessibility and therapists' support needs.

Design

An exploratory cross-sectional online survey was conducted in collaboration with a regional statutory health association.

Methods

A total of N = 371 licensed outpatient psychotherapists in Germany participated in the study. All were qualified to treat adult patients under statutory health insurance. The survey included self-constructed items assessing treatment experiences, perceived accessibility and support needs, as well as a questionnaire for measuring explicit attitudes towards disability.

Results

Most participants (n = 340; 91.6%) reported prior experience treating patients with disabilities. Attitudes were generally positive and significantly associated with the quality—but not the quantity—of treatment experience. Psychotherapists perceived greater efforts in treating patients with intellectual and hearing impairments, and 357 (96.2%) identified barriers in their own outpatient settings. Only 93 (25.1%) considered themselves experts in disability-related topics. A strong demand for further training was expressed, particularly for working with specific types of impairments, with a preference for professional development programmes offered both online and in person.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the need for enhanced training, improved structural accessibility and informed policy development. Despite positive attitudes, notable gaps remain in preparedness and environmental access, emphasizing the importance of integrating disability-related content into psychotherapist training and professional development.

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心理治疗师在治疗残疾患者中的观点和支持需求：一项在线调查的结果。

目的：残疾人患精神障碍的风险较高，但人们对这一人群的心理治疗师的经验、态度和需求知之甚少。本研究首次考察门诊心理治疗师治疗残疾患者的经验，并探讨他们对无障碍和治疗师支持需求的看法。设计：与地区法定卫生协会合作进行了一项探索性横断面在线调查。方法：共有371名德国有执照的门诊心理治疗师参与了这项研究。所有人都有资格在法定健康保险下治疗成年患者。该调查包括自编项目，评估治疗经历、感知可及性和支持需求，以及测量对残疾的明确态度的问卷。结果：大多数参与者（n = 340; 91.6%）报告了先前治疗残疾患者的经验。态度通常是积极的，并且与治疗体验的质量（而不是数量）显著相关。心理治疗师认为在治疗智力和听力障碍患者方面付出了更大的努力，357人（96.2%）在自己的门诊环境中发现了障碍。只有93人（25.1%）认为自己是残疾相关领域的专家。与会者强烈要求进一步培训，特别是针对特定类型的残疾人士的培训，他们更喜欢在线和面对面提供的专业发展方案。结论：研究结果强调了加强培训、改善结构可及性和制定知情政策的必要性。尽管态度积极，但在准备和环境准入方面仍存在显著差距，这强调了将残疾相关内容纳入心理治疗师培训和专业发展的重要性。

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来源期刊

Clinical psychology & psychotherapy PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

6.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

106

期刊介绍： Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy aims to keep clinical psychologists and psychotherapists up to date with new developments in their fields. The Journal will provide an integrative impetus both between theory and practice and between different orientations within clinical psychology and psychotherapy. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy will be a forum in which practitioners can present their wealth of expertise and innovations in order to make these available to a wider audience. Equally, the Journal will contain reports from researchers who want to address a larger clinical audience with clinically relevant issues and clinically valid research.