The role of embodied presence and empathy in the age of online psychotherapy

Simonič, Barbara (avtor)

This article addresses the question of whether digital forms of psychotherapy canfully replace face-to-face meetings with particular attention to empathy as a corecomponent of the therapeutic relationship. Drawing on a phenomenological,developmental and neuroscientific approach, we argue that physical presence isan indispensable component of the therapeutic process. While emphasising thephysical basis of empathy, we define and consider the three components of thetherapeutic alliance, discussing how online formats may affect the goals, tasksand bond differently. Physical presence enables the establishment of intersub-jective closeness, sensory attunement and physiological co-regulation, creatingthe conditions for deeper, embodied empathy. We also analyse the challenges ofonline therapy, where physical stimuli are limited, leading to a more cognitiveand less resonant empathy. Whilst online therapy has been shown to provideeffective support and improve accessibility, live therapy remains essential toachieve the deepest human connection based on an embodied experience ofthe other.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: empathy, embodiment, psychotherapy, video therapy, therapeutic relationship, intersubjectivity
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: TEOF - Teološka fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Datum objave: 06.08.2026
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: Str. 1-23
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-186484
• UDK: 159.942:615.851:004.774
• ISSN pri članku: 1469-5901
• DOI: 10.1080/13642537.2026.2711208
• COBISS.SI-ID: 289721859
• Datum objave v RUL: 02.09.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: European journal of psychotherapy, counselling, and health
• Skrajšan naslov: Eur. j. psychother. couns. health
• Založnik: Routledge
• ISSN: 1469-5901
• COBISS.SI-ID: 521669145

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Večjezični
• Ključne besede: empatija, psihoterapija, videoterapija, terapevtski odnos, intersubjektivnost

Projekti

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: J6-60105-2025
• Naslov: Teologija in digitalizacija: antropološki in etični izzivi