Objective: To explore young people's perceptions of the relationship with the therapist in internet-based psychodynamic treatment for adolescent depression.
Method: As a part of a randomized controlled trial, 18 adolescents aged 15-19 were interviewed after participating in treatment. Interviews followed a semi-structured interview schedule and were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: The findings are reported around four main themes: "a meaningful and significant relationship with someone who cared", "a helping relationship with someone who guided and motivated me through therapy"; "a relationship made safer and more open by the fact that we didn't have to meet" and "a nonsignificant relationship with someone I didn't really know and who didn't know me".
Conclusion: Even when contact is entirely text-based, it is possible to form a close and significant relationship with a therapist in internet-based psychodynamic treatment. Clinicians need to monitor the relationship and seek to repair ruptures when they emerge.
Trial registration: ISRCTN.org identifier: ISRCTN16206254..
Keywords: IPDT; adolescence; depression; internet-based treatment; psychodynamic; therapeutic relationship.