Following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, widespread social distancing measures were enforced, necessitating the rapid adoption of online and digital formats for psychological interventions. This abrupt shift to digital care created a valuable opportunity to examine how it influenced mental health professionals’ perceptions and usage of Digital Mental Health (DMH) tools. The present study reports the results of a repeated cross-sectional investigation, conducted through three rounds of a national online survey in the Netherlands. The survey included both open-ended and structured questions addressing professionals’ readiness to adopt DMH, frequency of use, perceived competence, and perceived value, with data collected in 2019 (pre-pandemic), 2020 (post-first wave), and 2021 (post-second wave). Including pre-pandemic data provides a rare perspective on the progression from voluntary to mandatory DMH adoption. Additionally, this study revisits the drivers, obstacles, and requirements of mental health practitioners after gaining practical experience with DMH. In total, 1,039 respondents completed the surveys (Survey 1: n = 432, Survey 2: n = 363, Survey 3: n = 244). Findings demonstrate that, relative to the pre-pandemic period, the use, competence, and perceived value of videoconferencing increased significantly. Minor changes were observed for other essential tools that maintained continuity of care, such as e-mail, text messaging, and online screening, whereas more innovative technologies like virtual reality and biofeedback saw little change. Many practitioners reported enhanced DMH skills and recognized multiple benefits, expressing a preference for a blended approach that combines digital and in-person care, particularly in scenarios where clients cannot travel. Conversely, some practitioners remained dissatisfied with technology-mediated interactions and hesitant about future DMH use. Implications for broader DMH implementation and directions for future research are discussed.
