Abstract
Background: Mental health clinicians in private practice represent approximately half of the outpatient workforce. Clinicians in this environment have more global negative attitudes toward implementing evidence-based treatments (EBTs), despite the proven efficacy of EBTs in treating children and adolescents. Digital mental health (DMH) tools may help streamline EBT implementation, thus reducing demands on clinicians. However, little is known about how clinicians in this group perceive and use DMH tools with youth. Objective: This mixed methods study examined how clinicians in private practice currently use and perceive DMH tools. Method: Explanatory sequential design included survey data collection from 79 master’s- and doctoral-level licensed clinicians in two large, diverse urban regions within the U.S. Qualitative interviews were completed subsequently with 15 clinicians for purposes of thematic analysis. Results: More than half of survey participants endorsed currently using DMH tools (60.9%, n = 39) or being open to doing so (34.4%, n = 22). Those already open to and experienced in EBTs viewed DMH tools most favorably. Qualitative findings provided key insights into how clinicians are using DMH tools, as well as facilitators and barriers to their use.Conclusions: DMH tools are being used to support elements of EBTs, and could reduce time spent out of session on tracking, preparation, and documentation for private practice clinicians. Future research should address barriers identified here in user-centered design processes with this group.