The challenges and opportunities for psychotherapy in Iran: a qualitative study

Introduction: There is a scarcity reports on the situation of psychotherapy as an effective treatment for mental illness and interpersonal problems in Iran. Aim: The study aimed to explore the situation of psychotherapy in Iran. Method: The present qualitative study was performed using conventional content analysis in 2017. The current sample included 13 experts in psychotherapy. A semi-structured interview was used for data collection. All interviews were audio recorded and subsequently transcribed. Qualitative analysis using constant comparisons was performed for transcribed interviews. Results: Two main categories were emerged to describe situation of psychotherapy in Iran: challenges and opportunities. Additionally, specific subcategories within each main category were documented. The challenges category described the problems in psychotherapy education and services delivery including lack of coordination in training and lack of insurance coverage. The opportunities category also described the improvement in psychotherapy status including the psychiatrists tendency towards psychotherapy, the varity in psychotherapy approaches and increasing awareness to psychotherapy in community. Conclusion: The results showed that psychotherapy in Iran is facing challenges and opportunities that can affect the provision of psychotherapy services. These results can be used in policies related to psychotherapy in Iran.