A Bibliometrics Analysis of Online-Counselling over Two Decades (2007-2026)

Abbott, J.-A. M., Klein, B., & Ciechomski, L. (2008). Best practices in online therapy. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 26(2–4), 360–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228830802097257
Abraham, A., Jithesh, A., Doraiswamy, S., Al-Khawaga, N., Mamtani, R., & Cheema, S. (2021). Telemental health use in the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review and evidence gap mapping. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 748069. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.748069
Adu, M., Banire, B., Dockrill, M., Ilie, A., Lappin, E., McGrath, P., Munro, S., Myers, K., Obuobi-Donkor, G., Orji, R., Pillai Riddell, R., Wozney, L., & Yisa, V. (2024). Centering equity, diversity, and inclusion in youth digital mental health: Findings from a research, policy, and practice knowledge exchange workshop. Frontiers in Digital Health, 6, Article 1449129. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1449129
Al-Khoury, A., Hussein, S. A., Abdulwhab, M., Aljuboori, Z. M., Haddad, H., Ali, M. A., Abed, I. A., & Flayyih, H. H. (2022). Intellectual capital history and trends: A bibliometric analysis using Scopus database. Sustainability, 14(18), Article 11615. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811615
Alves, J. L., Borges, I. B., & de Nadae, J. (2021). Sustainability in complex projects of civil construction: Bibliometric and bibliographic review. Gestão & Produção, 28(4), e5389. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9649-2020v28e5389
Andrews, K., Ross, D., & Maroney, T. L. (2024). Online group psychotherapy: A systematic review. Community Mental Health Journal, 60, 1511–1531. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-024-01304-4
Appio, F. P., Cesaroni, F., & Di Minin, A. (2014). Visualizing the structure and bridges of the intellectual property management and strategy literature: A document co-citation analysis. Scientometrics, 101(1), 623–661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-014-1329-0
Assyakur, D. S., & Rosa, E. M. (2022). Spiritual leadership in healthcare: A bibliometric analysis. Jurnal Aisyah: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.30604/jika.v7i2.914
Baas, J., Schotten, M., Plume, A., Côté, G., & Karimi, R. (2020). Scopus as a curated, high-quality bibliometric data source for academic research in quantitative science studies. Quantitative Science Studies, 1(1), 377–386. https://doi.org/10.1162/qss_a_00019
Bakhtiar, M. I., Marlina, E., Hasbahuddin, Mirawati, T., Yusuf, A., Lambause, H., & Alam, A. F. (2025). Cyber counseling in the digital era: A bibliometric and systematic literature review using Scopus data. In Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research. Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-489-1_23
Bambling, M., King, R., Reid, W., & Wegner, K. (2008). Online counselling: The experience of counsellors providing synchronous single-session counselling to young people. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 8(2), 110–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733140802055011
Barak, A., Klein, B., & Proudfoot, J. G. (2009). Defining internet-supported therapeutic interventions. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 38(1), 4–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9130-7
Békés, V., & Aafjes-van Doorn, K. (2020). Psychotherapists’ attitudes toward online therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 30(2), 238–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000214
Békés, V., Aafjes-van Doorn, K., Luo, X., Prout, T. A., & Hoffman, L. (2021). Psychotherapists’ challenges with online therapy during COVID-19: Concerns about connectedness predict therapists’ negative view of online therapy and its perceived efficacy over time. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 705699. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.705699
Bhattacharya, S., Singh, A., & Singh, A. (2025). Mapping the digital frontier: A bibliometric exploration of telemedicine and mental health research [Preprint]. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7596545/v1
Burgoyne, N., & Cohn, A. S. (2020). Lessons from the transition to relational teletherapy during COVID-19. Family Process, 59(3), 974–988. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12589
Cipolletta, S., & Mocellin, D. (2018). Online counseling: An exploratory survey of Italian psychologists’ attitudes towards new ways of interaction. Psychotherapy Research, 28(6), 909–924. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2016.1259533
Di Stefano, G., Peteraf, M., & Verona, G. (2010). Dynamic capabilities deconstructed: A bibliographic investigation into the origins, development, and future directions of the research domain. Industrial and Corporate Change, 19(4), 1187–1204. https://doi.org/10.1093/icc/dtq027
Dowling, M., & Rickwood, D. (2013). Online counseling and therapy for mental health problems: A systematic review of individual synchronous interventions using chat. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 31(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2012.728508
Elsevier B.V. (2019). Scopus®: Quick reference guide. https://supportcontent.elsevier.com/RightNow%20Next%20Gen/Scopus/Files/Scopus_User_Guide.pdf
Fahimnia, B., Sarkis, J., & Davarzani, H. (2015). Green supply chain management: A review and bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Production Economics, 162, 101–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2015.01.003
Fairweather, G. C., Lincoln, M. A., & Ramsden, R. (2016). Speech-language pathology teletherapy in rural and remote educational settings: Decreasing service inequities. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 18(6), 592–602. https://doi.org/10.3109/17549507.2016.1143973
Ferianti, F., Nurihsan, J., Setiawati, S., Nur-Habibi, M., Pratama, A., & Emi, C. (2024). Online counseling in the student context: A bibliometric analysis. The Eurasia Proceedings of Educational and Social Sciences, 35, 57–71. https://doi.org/10.55549/epess.801
Fischer Grote, L., Fössing, V., Aigner, M., Fehrmann, E., & Boeckle, M. (2024).
Effectiveness of online and remote interventions for mental health in children, adolescents, and young adults after the onset of COVID 19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta analysis. JMIR Mental Health, 11, e46637.
https://doi.org/10.2196/46637
Fleddermann, K., Chwastiak, L., Fortier, A., Gotham, H., Murphy, A., Navarro, R., Tapscott, S., & Molfenter, T. (2025). Levels of telehealth use, perceived usefulness, and ease of use in behavioral healthcare organizations after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 52, 48–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-024-09902-6
Hall, C. L., Gómez Bergin, A. D., & Rennick-Egglestone, S. (2024). Research into digital health intervention for mental health: A 25-year retrospective on the ethical and legal challenges. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, Article e58939. https://doi.org/10.2196/58939
Hanley, T., & Reynolds, D. (2009). Counselling psychology and the internet: A review of the quantitative research into online outcomes and alliances within text-based therapy. Counselling Psychology Review, 24(2), 4–13. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpscpr.2009.24.2.4
Hoermann, S., McCabe, K. L., Milne, D. N., & Calvo, R. A. (2017). Application of synchronous text-based dialogue systems in mental health interventions: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(8), e267. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7023
Ierardi, E., Bottini, M., & Riva Crugnola, C. (2022). Effectiveness of an online versus face-to-face psychodynamic counselling intervention for university students before and during the COVID-19 period. BMC Psychology, 10, 35. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00742-7
Khiste, G. P., & Paithankar, R. R. (2017). Analysis of bibliometric term in Scopus. International Journal of Library Science and Information Management, 3(3), 81–88. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320298273_Analysis_of_Bibliometric_Term_in_Scopus
Lodha, P., & Pandya, A. (2025). Editorial: Ethical dilemmas of digitalisation of mental health. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 7, Article 1654355. https://doi.org/10.3389/fhumd.2025.1654355
Mark, T. L., Treiman, K., Padwa, H., Henretty, K., Tzeng, J., & Gilbert, M. (2022). Addiction treatment and telehealth: Review of efficacy and provider insights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatric Services, 73(5), 484–491. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202100088
McBain, R. K., Schuler, M. S., Qureshi, N., Matthews, S., Kofner, A., Breslau, J., & Cantor, J. H. (2023). Expansion of telehealth availability for mental health care after state-level policy changes from 2019 to 2022. JAMA Network Open, 6(6), e2318045. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.18045
Mulungu, C., Mindu, T., & Mulungu, K. (2024). Effectiveness of online counselling during COVID-19 in Zambia: Clients’ and therapists’ perspectives. BMC Psychology, 12, 132. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01614-y
Navarro, P., Sheffield, J., Edirippulige, S., & Bambling, M. (2020). Exploring mental health professionals’ perspectives of text-based online counseling effectiveness with young people: Mixed methods pilot study. JMIR Mental Health, 7(1), e15564. https://doi.org/10.2196/15564
Pierce, B. S., Perrin, P. B., Tyler, C. M., McKee, G. B., & Watson, J. D. (2021). The COVID-19 telepsychology revolution: A national study of pandemic-based changes in U.S. mental health care delivery. American Psychologist, 76(1), 14–25. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000722
Richards, D., & Viganò, N. (2013). Online counseling: A narrative and critical review of the literature. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(9), 994–1011. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21974
Ruggero, C. J., Bennett, C. B., Sever, A. C., & Yanouri, L. (2020). eHealth to redress psychotherapy access barriers both new and old: A review of reviews and meta-analyses. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 30(2), 188–207. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000217
Shorey, S., Ang, E., Yap, J., Ng, E. D., Lau, S. T., & Chui, C. K. (2019). A virtual counseling application using artificial intelligence for communication skills training in nursing education: Development study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(10), e14658. https://doi.org/10.2196/14658
Siegel, A., Zuo, Y., Moghaddamcharkari, N., McIntyre, R. S., & Rosenblat, J. D. (2021). Barriers, benefits and interventions for improving the delivery of telemental health services during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A systematic review. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 34(4), 434–443. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000714
Simpson, S. G., & Reid, C. L. (2014). Therapeutic alliance in videoconferencing psychotherapy: A review. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 22(6), 280–299. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12149
Sistani, F., Rodriguez de Bittner, M., & Shaya, F. T. (2022). COVID-19 pandemic and telemental health policy reforms. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 38(12), 2123–2126. https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2022.2096355
Smith, J., & Gillon, E. (2021). Therapists’ experiences of providing online counselling: A qualitative study. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 21(3), 545–554. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12408
Sriati, A., Kurniawan, K., Senjaya, S., Khoirunnisa, Khoirunnisa, Muslim, R. N. I., Putri, A. M., Aghnia, N., & Fitriani, N. (2023). The effectiveness of digital based psychotherapy in overcoming psychological problems in college students during the COVID 19 pandemic: A scoping review. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 42 (2). https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101231162990
Stoll, J., Müller, J. A., & Trachsel, M. (2020). Ethical issues in online psychotherapy: A narrative review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 993. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00993
Sugarman, D. E., & Busch, A. B. (2023). Telemental health for clinical assessment and treatment. BMJ, 380, e072398. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-072398
Tajan, N., Devès, M., & Potier, R. (2023). Tele-psychotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mini-review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1060961. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1060961
The Lancet Digital Health. (2021). Digital tools for mental health in a crisis. The Lancet Digital Health, 3(4), e204. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2589-7500(21)00045-5
Uscher-Pines, L., & Fischer, S. H. (2024). Key findings from RAND health care research on telehealth policy (Research Brief No. RBA1402-1-v4). RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA1402-1-v4.html
van der Vaart, R., Witting, M., Riper, H., Kooistra, L., Bohlmeijer, E. T., & van Gemert-Pijnen, L. J. E. W. C. (2014). Blending online therapy into regular face-to-face therapy for depression: Content, ratio and preconditions according to patients and therapists using a Delphi study. BMC Psychiatry, 14, 355. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-014-0355-z
Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2007). Bibliometric mapping of the computational intelligence field. International Journal of Uncertainty, Fuzziness and Knowledge-Based Systems, 15(5), 625–645. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0218488507004911
Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84(2), 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3
Van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2017). Citation-based clustering of publications using CitNetExplorer and VOSviewer. Scientometrics, 111(2), 1053–1070. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-017-2300-7
Verbeek, A., Debackere, K., Luwel, M., & Zimmermann, E. (2002). Measuring progress and evolution in science and technology—I: The multiple uses of bibliometric indicators. International Journal of Management Reviews, 4(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2370.00083
Wells, R. (2023). The impact and efficacy of e-counselling in an open distance learning environment: A mixed method exploratory study. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 37(2), 155–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2021.1924098
World Health Organization. (2020, October 5). COVID-19 disrupting mental health services in most countries, WHO survey. https://www.who.int/news/item/05-10-2020-covid-19-disrupting-mental-health-services-in-most-countries-who-survey
Wu, Y. C. J., & Wu, T. (2017). A decade of entrepreneurship education in the Asia Pacific: Future directions in theory and practice. Management Decision, 55(7), 1333–1350. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-05-2017-0518
Yamamoto, F., Voida, A., & Voida, S. (2021). From therapy to teletherapy: Relocating mental health services online. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 5(CSCW2), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1145/3479508
Zainudin, Z., Asri, A., Talib, M., Hassan, S., Ahmad, N., & Yusop, Y. (2020). The prevalence of cyber-counselling: A systematic literature review on effectiveness and preferences. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 10(10), 731–751. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v10-i10/7897

Lee, J. K. S., & Tan, J. S. (2026). A Bibliometrics Analysis of Online-Counselling over Two Decades (2007-2026). International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 16(7), 658–680.

Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s)
Published by Knowledge Words Publications (www.kwpublications.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode