Background The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated an immediate and large-scale uptake of online treatment for mental health care. However, there is uncertainty about what the “new normal” in mental health care will be like in post–COVID-19 times. To what extent will the experiences gained during the pandemic influence a sustainable adoption and implementation of online mental health care treatment in the future? Objective In this paper, we aim to formulate expectations with regard to the sustainability of online mental health care after COVID-19. Methods In an interview study, 11 mental health care professionals were asked about their experiences and expectations for the future. Participants were recruited from a mental health care organization in the Netherlands. The interviews took place between April 7-30, 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in the Netherlands. The data were analyzed using a thematic coding method. Results From the interviews, we learn that the new normal in mental health care will most likely consist of more blended treatments. Due to skill enhancement and (unexpected) positive experiences with online treatment, an increase in adoption is likely to take place. However, not all experiences promise a successful and sustainable upscaling of online treatment in the future. Mental health care professionals are learning that not all clients are able to benefit from this type of treatment. Conclusions Sustainable upscaling of online mental health care requires customized solutions, investments in technology, and flexibility of mental health care providers. Online treatment could work for those who are open to it, but many factors influence whether it will work in specific situations. There is work to be done before online treatment is inherently part of mental health care.

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated an immediate and largescale uptake of online treatment in mental healthcare, and we are still unsure about the new normal in mental healthcare in post COVID-19 times. A relevant question we can begin to ask is to what extent the experiences gained during the pandemic will influence a sustainable adoption and implementation of online treatment in mental healthcare in the future. OBJECTIVE In this paper we aim to formulate expectations with regard to the sustainability of online treatment in mental healthcare after COVID-19. METHODS In an interview study 11 mental healthcare professionals were asked about their experiences and expectations for the future. Participants were recruited in a mental healthcare organization in the Netherlands. The interviews took place between 7 April and 30 April 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 crisis in the Netherlands. The data were analyzed using a thematic coding method. RESULTS From the interviews we learn that the new normal in mental healthcare will most likely consist of more blended treatments. Due to skill enhancement and (unexpected) positive experiences with the possibilities of online treatment, an increase in adoption is likely to take place. However, not all experiences promise a successful and sustainable upscaling of online treatment in the future. Mental healthcare professionals are learning that not all clients are able to benefit from the possibilities it offers. CONCLUSIONS Sustainable upscaling of online mental healthcare requires customized solutions, investments in technology, and flexibility by mental healthcare providers. Online treatment could work for those open to it, but many factors influence whether it will work in specific situations. There is work to be done yet before online treatment is inherently part of the new normal in mental healthcare.

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