An exploration of educational psychologists’ views on developing attuned interactions during remote consultation

This small-scale qualitative study focuses on educational psychologists’ (EPs’) views on developing attuned interactions with service users during remote/online consultations. Data from 10 EPs in nine EP services in England were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that participants viewed it as possible to remain attuned during remote consultation. They also reported that online consultations can help to address the power imbalance between service users and professionals. Prior experience in Video Enhanced Reflective Practice (VERP) and training in Video Interactive Guidance (VIG) were viewed by some participants as supportive. However, some EPs considered skills in being attuned to others as being inherent to the role of psychologists. Further research on EP and service users’ online experiences and tentative implications for practice are suggested, including that EP services continue to include remote consultation within the range of services that they offer.

This is an original manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Educational Psychology in Practice on 6/11/24, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/02667363.2024.2425630.