Recently, the need for tele-psychology has increased. Tele-psychology via videoconferencing is considered to facilitate interviews in an environment similar to face-to-face psychological interventions. However, no studies have yet compared the characteristics between tele-psychology via videoconferencing and face-to-face in Japan. We conducted a scoping review on domestic articles that aimed to clarify the characteristics of tele-psychology via videoconferencing and its differences from face-to-face sessions. Selection criteria were: (i) articles published in Japanese journals, (ii) involved psychological intervention, (iii) sessions conducted at two remote locations, (iv) specific clients, (v) synchronous tele-psychology in which the therapist and client transmitted audio and video in real time, rather than one-way delivery, and (vi) included a comparison with face-to-face sessions. A search of domestic articles published before June 2020 using CiNii and Ichushi-Web revealed that five out of 150 articles met the criteria. Their qualitative and descriptive data were extracted and integrated. We assessed the characteristics of tele-psychology via videoconferencing regarding communication characteristics in therapy, the therapeutic relationship, and symptom reduction. Tele-psychology via videoconferencing was effective in alleviating symptoms and transmitting non-verbal communication such as emotions and mood. On the other hand, it was suggested that the degree of intimacy was lower as participants were in a separate space, and that the formation of the therapeutic relationship was more difficult compared to face-to-face psychological intervention. In the future, it is necessary to accumulate data on the differences between synchronous tele-psychology via videoconferencing and face-to-face to promote tele-psychology in Japan.
 Authors' abstract