The online therapy market - Italy (2023)

1.2 The global market

Online therapy service provides expert counseling in physical mental fitness through the use of the Internet, generally making use of video chat, messaging apps and e-mail. Online counseling is a viable alternative to traditional face-to-face therapy and is rapidly seeing an increase in the number of patients who rely on it. The main types of online therapy services include: cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and person-centered therapy.

The size of the global market for online therapy services is expected to grow from $*.** billion in **** to $*.* billion in ****, with a compound annual growth rate(***) of **.* percent. In ****, the market will grow to be worth $**.* billion, with a CAGR of **.*%.

The increasing adoption of smartphones is expected to positively influence the growth of the online therapeutic services market in the near future; smartphones or text messaging are used to provide treatment for certain psychological conditions, via wearable technology and mood apps.[***]

Global online therapy market World, ****-****, US$ billion Globenewswire

WHO's warning According to the World Health Organization's analysis, in **** , about one billion individuals (***). In the poorest areas of the world, there is evidence of an entrenched presence of discrimination and human rights violations against people with mental health problems; moreover, in these very ...

1.3 The local market

In order to learn about local market trends, consider data on the incomes of Italian psychologists in ****, where there is a significant increase. These data were collected through the tax returns submitted by those who practice as freelancers, including in conjunction with a salaried job. The information refers only to income from self-employed professional activity. Income for the year **** is analyzed here in comparison with that of **** (***) in the year **** during the pandemic.[***]

Average net incomes of Italian psychologists Italy, ****-****, thousands of € ENPAP

**** **** **** % change from previous year *,**% -*,**% **,**% Analysis of average net income top five Italian regions by increase Although income growth has been more significant in some regions than others, there is an increase in income (***).[***] Average income top five Italian regions by increase Italy, ****-****, thousands of € ENPAP Overall turnover The total turnover of the psychologist category, calculated as the sum total of supplementary contributions based on tax returns, increased significantly during ****, standing at about *.* billion euros. This represents a remarkable increase, with more than ** percent growth over the previous year, when turnover had remained at *.** billion euros. This marked growth highlights the robustness of the sector and its significant contribution to the economy in FY****.[***]

1.4 The Impact of COVID-19

According to a recent scientific study published by theWorld Health Organization(***) and decreased physical activity, resulting in increased body weight, are reported.[***]

The field of online psychologists began to expand with the very outbreak of the pandemic; this was due to both the worsening emotional and mental condition of patients and the need to carry out therapies while maintaining social distancing. During the pandemic, economic resources were, moreover, arranged to facilitate the development of this new frontier of therapy.[***]

**% of the Italian population developed depressive symptoms during the pandemic

Even before the pandemic began, mood-related disorders, anxiety and depression were entrenched within the Italian population. According to the World Health Organization (***) compared to the same period in ****. The groups most exposed to deleterious psychological effects include doctors and nurses who fought on the front lines against the pandemic, as well as victims of domestic abuse in the lockdown months and all those who through interpersonal isolation developed addictions.

Covid, interpersonal relationships and work

A study conducted by the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Humanitas University shows how the Covid-** pandemic had a significant impact on the psychological and emotional sphere of individuals. The study, based on a sample of *,*** people, ...

2.1 Demand characteristics

The psychological well-being of Italians is hardly recovering from the effects given by the post-pandemic period. In fact, compared to ****, more than one in four people, corresponding to **%, believe their situation has worsened, while **% say it has remained unchanged and only**% have noticed an improvement. Overall, the balance of these perceptions stands at -** percent, with the worst impacts showing up mainly in the **-** age group, as well as among individuals older than **.

Among the main sources of stress, economic situation ranks first for both sexes, with **% of respondents considering it the most influential factor, albeit with a slight prevalence among men compared to women(***).[***] Main sources of stress among Italians Italy, ****, % CNOP

Going to analyze the online search interest of Italians for the keyword "online psychologists" from the outbreak of the pandemic to the present, it is evident to consider the presence of an oscillation. Specifically, the numbers below represent search interest relative to the highest point on the graph in relation to the region and period indicated. A value of *** indicates the highest frequency of search for the term; ** indicates half as many searches. A score of *, on the other hand, indicates that not enough data were found ...

2.2 Factors influencing demand

With the spread of Covid-** there has been an increase in online psychotherapy sessions, a factor caused by the need to protect the "physical" immune system. Thus, the encounter between therapist and patient takes place through an intermediary, namely the technological medium; the latter does not replace corporeality, and since psychotherapy is a meeting of two minds, the therapeutic function is maintained.

The demand for this type of service is positively influenced by certain aspects; specifically, through the online setting the psychotherapists themselves can observe themselves, trying to take care of their own expressions, movements and mode of approach to the patient. After all, supervision of the approach is part of the therapist's training. In addition, many patients seem to be more uninhibited in the online mode and are more willing to make deeper emotional contact. The screen represents a barrier that is perceived, by some, as protection, and the patient becomes more willing to share his or her deeper experiences.[***]

Trends in generic psychotherapeutic demand

The decision to seek help from a psychologist is often accompanied by several challenges and concerns. One of the main obstacles is the fear of starting a course of therapy, which, in many cases, can ...

2.3 Geographical distribution of interest in the new frontier of psychotherapy

As shown in the graph below, Rome ranks first in the ranking of cities with the highest number of online searches on psychology-related topics in ****; followed by Milan (***). Compared to ****, there is a significant increase of ** percent of searches on Rome. In contrast, Naples and Turin record a substantial drop in searches, amounting to -**% and -**%, respectively. Milan also registers a slight decrease of -**%. This, however, is strongly due to the fact that in ****, due to the early stages of lockdown and restrictions due to COVID-**, there was a higher than usual volume of searches.[***].

Evolution of online interest and research with psychology-related topics by city Italy, ****-****,% Guidapsicologi.it

The geographical (***).

Region Value Sardinia *** Lazio ** Veneto ** Sicily ** Piedmont ** Tuscany ** Campania ** Apulia ** Emilia-Romagna ** Calabria ** Lombardy ** Geographical distribution of antidepressant consumption in Italy The consumption of antidepressants in different regions is a significant finding that reflects various socio-economic and cultural aspects of Italy. In particular, a significant disparity emerges between central and southern regions. Central Regions and the Case of Tuscany: Tuscany stands out with the highest use prevalence level of **.* percent. This figure can be attributed to several factors, including greater mental health awareness and wider accessibility to health ...

2.4 New demand trends

Despite the fact that traditionally it was almost negatively conceived to turn to a psychologist or psychotherapist, for the past few years there has been increasing recognition of the benefits of undertaking this type of path, understanding that it is not just a treatment of a disorder. In the **** CNOP survey, when asked "what does a psychologist do?", Italians answered (***):

promotes well-being helps people live better lives prevents discomforts and disorders treats mental disorders

The real cultural breakthrough, however, is due to the action of young people to want to face their discomforts, talking about them with greater awareness, so as to break the wall of shame ingrained for years in Italian and global society. In the UNICEF survey "The Future We Want ," young people claim the need for services for this purpose, resulting in support for growth, prevention, support or care. The UNICEF survey was conducted in two phases: the first involved a group of ** girls and boys between the ages of ** and **, with whom the questionnaire was constructed and validated, while the second involved about *,*** of their peers across the country.

In the view of the questionnaire respondents, psychological listening and support networks would be the fourth determinant in ...

3.1 Market structure and size

Active enterprises in recent years The growth in the number of active enterprises in the field of psychological activity during the period from **** to **** is remarkable and reflects a significant increase in interest and demand for psychological services during this period. From **** to ****, there is a **.**% increase in the number of active enterprises in the psychological business sector. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including increased awareness about the importance of mental health, growing demand for psychological counseling services, and greater openness in society toward psychological treatment and support. The growth of businesses in the psychological sector is a positive sign, as it suggests that more people are seeking help to deal with their psychological and emotional challenges and that the industry is responding to this growing demand. However, it is also important to ensure that these services are of high quality and accessible to all who need them.[***] Activity carried out by psychologists Italy, ****-****, thousands (***) Istat Legal form of the market. The predominance of the self-employed in the psychology market, accounting for **.* percent of firms, is a remarkable feature and indicates a distinctive characteristic of this sector. This legal structure reflects the highly specialized nature of psychological ...

3.2 Value Chain

Clinical psychologists: clinical psychologists assess and treat mental and emotional disorders. Some clinical psychologists specialize in specific disorders: depression, eating disorders, anxiety, personality disorders. Psychotherapists: psychotherapy is a clinical intervention model that offers psychological support; they usually treat purely everyday problems, problems in interpresonal relationships, or emotional problems. Educational psychologists: this type of professional focuses on the processes involved in learning and the individuals and roles played by actors in the educational field, as well as the environment in which this learning takes place. Developmental psych ologists: they often work as educational psychologists, since learning is part of the individual's development. This type of psychology, however, includes not only children or adolescents, but also includes old age. Experimental psychologists and other researchers: their main methodology is to perform tests and experiments to gain new knowledge about different psychological aspects or phenomena. Neuropsychologists: in the applied field, they work in cognitive, behavioral and emotional rehabilitation of a patient with brain damage, or early diagnosis and intervention in dementia. Social psychologists: study and work on human behavior and psychological factors, which influence the social, community or group environment. They are interested in aspects such as interpersonal, intergroup and intergroup relations. Organizational and occupational ...

3.3 Distribution channels

Online therapy service can be accessed through major instant messaging and video conferencing apps. Skype is the most popular platform with which professionals (***).

Tools used by psychologists for online sessions Italy, ****, % Guidapsicologists

Despite the development of these online channels, many professionals decide to combine this use of the service with in-person sessions.**.*% of psychologists combine online sessions with in-person sessions, with **.*% of professionals tending to practice in-person sessions often. **.*% decide to use the combination of the two forms of sessions only sporadically.

Combination of in-presence and online therapy Italy, ****, % Guidapsychologists

3.4 Main actors

There are digital platforms where you can interact with psychologists and psychotherapists:

In addition, as was analyzed earlier, many psychologist practices offer online psychotherapy service.

4.1 Type of Offering

Online therapy represents a new frontier of psychological care, useful for bringing the patient closer to the therapist and ensuring the possibility of sessions at any time. Developed more during the pandemic period, this type of therapy is carried out through the help of certain technological means, such as:

video calls: is carried out with the help of means such as Skype or Hangouts. This modality is the most similar to in-person sessions, in that a visual and not only verbal context is maintained, going to assist communication and establishing a stronger bond between patient and professional. online chat: the session takes place using a written chat, in which one interacts with the psychologist. Communication is smooth and efficient for those who prefer to write rather than talk. This mode can also simply be an initial contact before deciding to implement a video call session; calls: the telephone session is the perfect modality for those who feel more comfortable talking without direct eye contact. Again, the telephone session, can be used as an initial contact before deciding to move to a session with video calling at a later time.[***]

The various types of psychotherapeutic approaches

Depending on the distress being treated, ...

4.2 Prices

In the context of psychological services, it is necessary to establish a clear and regulated framework for determining fees. Below are the main points regarding fees for psychological services:

Professional Servicesand Fees: for professional services provided by a psychologist registered in Section A of the Register, in accordance with Presidential Decree ***/**, payment of the fees indicated in the attached table, plus reimbursement of documented expenses, is provided. Adjustment of Fees: minimum and maximum fees will be adjusted annually according to the change in the applicable minimum ISTAT fee. In addition, in agreements with public and private entities involving professional services for entire categories of subjects, the minimum may be reduced within **%. Determination of the Fee: The determination of the fee between the maximum and the established minimum can take into account various factors, including the complexity of the service required, the client's membership in categories with conventions, the urgency of the service, and the socioeconomic situation of the client. In addition, the psychologist may reduce the fee or waive it if the service is not performed due to the client's failure to keep the appointment. Types of Fees: fees can be distinguished into two types: percentage fees, based on the value ...

4.3 Psychology and artificial intelligence

With the integration of innovative technologies into clinical practice, more and more technologies are becoming known; one that has recently attracted a great deal of interest is ChatGPT (***), a chatbot developed by the company OpenAI. The platform is not really an artificial intelligence, but rather is a type of language model based on transformer architecture and trained on a large set of textual data to generate coherent text, going to answer users' questions and commands. ChatGPT uses deep learning techniques to generate appropriate language responses based on the training data that has been provided. The model specializes on a specific task and lacks many of the qualities that human intelligence has: sometimes, consistent answers may be produced but generated on incorrect or inappropriate information.

ChatGPT is designed to mimic human language and communication and, as a result, the question arises whether it can replace or pose a threat to psychological support therapies. It must be remembered that bots have been used before to provide psychological support, such as in the case of Woebot Health; developed by Stanford University, it takes the form of a chatbot-based emotional support application that uses pre-filled responses to provide an experience similar to that of a ...

5.1 Regulatory framework

Profession Psychologist

The profession of psychologist is regulated by two main laws, Law **/**** and Law */****. Law **/**** defines the psychologist's scope of practice, which includes prevention, diagnosis,habilitation, rehabilitation , and support in the field of psychology, targeting individuals, groups, social bodies , and communities. it is important to note that psychotherapy, regulated byArticle * of Law **/****, can be practiced by both psychologists and physicians, but only after completing a specialized post-graduate course.

A psychologist, even if he or she does not specialize in psychotherapy, can perform clinical or health care activities independently, in both clinical and nonclinical settings, including with individuals who present with psychopathological symptoms. However, these professionals must comply with the limits defined by Law **/**** andArticle * of the Code of Ethics, which require the use of theoretical and practical tools for which they have adequate competence. In summary, the profession of the psychologist is broad and includes a wide range of activities in the field of psychology. The practice of psychotherapy is an additional specialty and does not limit the psychologist's ability to perform other clinical or health care activities. This provides flexibility and a holistic approach to mental health and psychological well-being.

In addition, it is necessary to analyze the Deontological ...

5.2 Bonus Psychologist

The "psychologist bonus ****" represents financial support provided by the state, with a maximum amount of €*,***, to cover expenses associated with psychotherapy sessions, as established by the Budget Law of ****. The bonus was created to ensure access to psychotherapy sessions for those experiencing depression, anxiety, stress , and psychological distress as a result of the Covid-** pandemic (***). The measure, therefore, was created to counteract the effects of the ****-**** health and social crisis of a large number of people, seeking to heed the resulting spike in requests for psychological support.

To qualify for the bonus, no age limit is required, only an economic parameter, namely a valid Indicator of Equivalent Economic Situation(***) of less than **,*** euros. This criterion is designed to ensure that financial support is targeted to those who are in such financial difficulties that they cannot afford the costs of psychological treatment on their own. The amount of the bonus vaira based on the ISEE band to which the applicant belongs: the lower the applicant's ISEE, the higher the amount of the contribution. The bonus is disbursed only once to beneficiaries. For ****, specific ISEE brackets and their corresponding amounts have not yet been published at this time. In ****, for example, the ...

6.1 Segmentation

Italian platforms

Foreign platforms

• Unobravo
• Serenis
• Psicodigitale
• Guidapsicologi
• Con Te All'Estero
• Betterhelp