Blended Therapy From the Perspective of Mental Health Professionals in Routine Mental Health Care - Mixed Methods Analysis of Cross-Sectional Survey Data

Sep 29, 2026

Digital interventions play an innovative role in treating mental health disorders, and blended therapy (BT) combines digitally delivered components with face-to-face care. This study examines mental health professionals’ knowledge, acceptance, usage, and perceptions of different BT types, including perceived advantages, disadvantages, implementation challenges, and future preferences. A Swiss survey of 203 professionals analyzed quantitative results alongside qualitative content. Findings show limited BT knowledge, somewhat positive attitudes, moderate acceptance, and teletherapy (video) as the most integrated and suitable BT format for selected disorders.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Digital Interventions to Treat Mental Health Disorders

Blended Therapy

BT in Routine Mental Health Care Settings

JMIR MENTAL HEALTH Kneubühler et al Original Paper Blended Therapy From the Perspective of Mental Health Professionals in Routine Mental Health Care: Mixed Methods Analysis of Cross-Sectional Survey Data | Annalena Maria Kneubühler, MSc; Elianne von Känel, MSc; Kristina Grgic, MSc; Ena Munkovic, MSc; Thomas Berger, PhD; Laura Luisa Bielinski, PhD | | --- | | Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Corresponding Author:
Laura Luisa Bielinski, PhD
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Institute of Psychology, University of Bern Fabrikstrasse 8
Bern 3012 Switzerland
Phone: 41 31 684 39 37
Email: [laura.bielinski@unibe.ch](laura.bielinski@unibe.ch)
Abstract | | Background: Digital interventions play an innovative role in the treatment of mental health disorders, offering evidencebased solutions across a wide range of conditions. Blended therapy (BT), which integrates digitally delivered interventions with face-to-face therapy, has shown promise. However, challenges such as low uptake hinder widespread implementation. Mental health professionals are key stakeholders for the adoption of BT in routine care settings.
Objective: This study explores mental health professionals’ perspectives on BT, specifically assessing their perceived knowledge of, acceptance of, usage of, and perceptions of different BT types. Additionally, it examines mental health professionals’ perceived advantages and disadvantages of BT, challenges associated with implementation, and wishes toward the future application of BT.
Methods: A survey study was conducted among 203 mental health professionals (152 psychological psychotherapists and 51 psychiatrists, including also individuals in training) in Switzerland. The data were analyzed using both quantitative methods and qualitative content analysis.
Results: Participants reported limited knowledge of BT (mean 2.71, SD 1.32), attitudes toward BT were somewhat positive (mean 5.25, SD 1.34), and acceptance was moderate (mean 3.64, SD 1.20) . Among various digitally delivered interventions, teletherapy (video) was most frequently integrated with face-to-face treatment and considered more suitable for BT than chat, email, or new technologies. More than 75%(n=152) of the respondents deemed BT appropriate for the treatment of affective (mood) disorders (F30-F39) and for the treatment of neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (F40-F48; ICD-10) . The qualitative analyses of open-ended questions highlighted key advantages of BT as perceived by mental health professionals. These include increased treatment flexibility, the ability to outsource therapy components, and enhanced treatment efficiency. However, disadvantages such as increased effort and potential disruptions to the therapeutic relationship were also noted. Participants identified barriers to BT implementation, including financing and data security concerns . To facilitate BT adoption, respondents emphasized the desire for better cost coverage, easy access to digitally delivered interventions, and seamless integration of digital tools into face-to-face therapy.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that mental health professionals report limited knowledge of BT and consider it more suitable for certain disorders than others. Moreover, from their perspective, while BT offers advantages, it also presents disadvantages. Addressing mental health professional knowledge gaps, alongside resolving perceived implementation barriers, may be key to the successful future implementation of BT in routine mental health settings.
JMIR Ment Health 2026;13:e78079; doi: 10.2196/78079 | [https://mental.jmir.org/2026/1/e78079](https://mental.jmir.org/2026/1/e78079) JMIR Ment Health 2026 | vol. 13 | e78079 | p. 1 (page number not for citation purposes) JMIR MENTAL HEALTH Kneubühler et al Keywords: blended therapy; digital interventions;

FAQs

What is the main focus of the study about blended therapy?

The study explores mental health professionals’ perspectives on BT, including their perceived knowledge, acceptance, usage, and perceptions of different BT types, as well as pros, cons, barriers, and future wishes.

How was blended therapy assessed in the study?

A survey study was conducted among 203 mental health professionals in Switzerland, and the data were analyzed using quantitative methods and qualitative content analysis of open-ended responses.

What did participants report about their knowledge and attitudes toward BT?

Participants reported limited knowledge of BT, somewhat positive attitudes, and moderate acceptance. Teletherapy (video) was most frequently integrated with face-to-face care and judged more suitable than chat, email, or new technologies.

Sep 29, 2026

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