Beyond the Mirror: Counsellors’ and Clients’ Experiences of Mirroring and the Therapeutic Alliance in Online Video-Based Psychotherapy

What does it feel like to be truly seen — through a screen?

In online therapy, we meet through a camera.
We see each other — and often, we also see ourselves.

But what happens to the feeling of being understood?
Does it change when the connection is mediated by a screen?

I am a doctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh, exploring how clients and counsellors experience moments of connection, recognition, and “being seen” in online video-based therapy.

I am currently inviting participants to share their experiences

👉Sign up here to take part: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/iAA64zkrhB?origin=lprLink

About Me

I am a doctoral student in Psychotherapy and Counselling at the University of Edinburgh, and a counsellor working with clients in both face-to-face and online settings.

My interest in this research comes from my clinical experience of working online, where moments of connection can feel both powerful and uncertain. I am particularly interested in how the presence of the screen, and the experience of seeing oneself while being seen by another — shapes the therapeutic relationship.

About the Study

My study explores how mirroring is experienced in online video-based therapy, from both clients’ and counsellors’ perspectives.

Mirroring refers to moments in therapy when there is a sense of emotional connection or recognition — when someone feels seen, understood, or emotionally met by the other person. At times, this sense of connection can feel clear and strong; at other times, it may feel uncertain, fragile, or even absent.

In online therapy, this experience is further shaped by the presence of the screen. Both clients and counsellors can also see themselves during the session, which may subtly influence how connection, attention, and emotional attunement are experienced.

This research is interested in how these moments of connection and disconnection are experienced on both sides of the therapeutic relationship, and how they may shape the development of the therapeutic alliance in online work.

Who Can Take Part?

This study is inviting both clients and counsellors who have experience of online video-based psychotherapy in the UK.

You may be able to take part if you are either:

🗣️💬Clients

Aged 18 or over
Have received online video-based therapy within the past two years (Therapy was live/synchronous, e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams. Not text-based or email-only therapy)
Based in the UK and communicate in English
Able to give informed consent
Have access to stable internet and a private space for an online interview

🧑‍💻💭Counsellors / Psychotherapists

Qualified counsellor or psychotherapist (at least 6 months post-qualification experience)
Current or recent (within past two years) experience of online video-based therapy
Experience from any modality (e.g. person-centred, psychodynamic, CBT, integrative, etc.)
Aged 18 or over
Based in the UK and communicate in English
Able to give informed consent
Have access to stable internet and a private space for an online interview

What Will Taking Part Involve?

If you decide to take part, you will be invited to a one-to-one online interview via Microsoft Teams with the researcher (Xiangyi Wang).

The interview will last approximately 45–90 minutes and will be arranged at a time that suits you, in a private and comfortable setting.

Before the interview:

You will be asked to complete a short consent form by email, or give verbal consent at the start of the interview if needed

During the interview:

You will be invited to reflect on your experiences of online video-based psychotherapy.

Depending on whether you are taking part as a client or a counsellor, you may be asked to reflect on:

Clients

Your experiences of receiving online therapy
Moments when you felt seen, understood, or emotionally connected with your counsellor
Moments when this sense of connection was less present or unclear
How these experiences shaped your sense of the therapeutic relationship

Counsellors / Psychotherapists

Your experiences of working with clients online via video
Moments when you noticed a sense of connection, recognition, or emotional attunement
How you engage with or think about mirroring in online sessions
How these experiences may influence your sense of the therapeutic relationship

*With your permission, the interview will be video recorded to ensure an accurate transcript can be produced. All data will later be fully anonymised and used for research purposes only.