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Objective: The aim of this paper is to analyse the effect that the shift from face-to-face to distance relationship had on some procedural aspects of the clinical psychological setting and on the mental setting of psychologists and psychotherapists (in particular, those who used the online setting for the first time). In this perspective, the article illustrates and analyses the results of a pilot research conducted during the Italian national lockdown. Method: The research was carried out with a semi-structured questionnaire developed with Google Forms. The questionnaire (17 closed questions and 2 open questions) was divided into four sections: 1. Personal data; 2. Professional activity; 3. External/material setting; 4. Internal/mental setting. The questionnaire was available online from 6th to 27th April 2020. 160 questionnaires were collected: 45 (28.13%) psychologists and 115 (71.87%) psychotherapists. Results: 37.50% of the respondents did not perceive any significant change in their attitude following the changeover to the online mode (6.25% reported that they felt even better compared to face-to-face interviews). 27.50% of the respondents experience a greater "familiarity" with the patient; 24.38% are curious about the domestic environment framed by the webcam; 20.63%, on the other hand, experience embarrassment when entering the patient's home. The main problems reported by psychologists/psychotherapists are of a technical nature (limited quality of devices and connections) because they make it difficult to "tune in" to the patient. 43.75% of the respondents also reported difficulties in understanding the interlocutor's non-verbal communication. 25.63% of psychologists/psychotherapists also report being more active and 18.75% admit that in the online setting it is more difficult to remain silent. Conclusions: Technology-mediated communication has made it possible to overcome the constraints imposed by the pandemic and has enabled psychotherapists and patients not to interrupt counselling and therapy. However, the online setting has different characteristics from the offline setting, characteristics that tend to influence the behaviour and mental disposition of the psychologist/psychotherapist. Curiosity, embarrassment but also greater activity and difficulty in maintaining silence seem to be some of the possible outcomes of the online setting on the clinician. On the other hand, the prevalence of the visual channel can induce the psychologist/psychotherapist to superimpose what he sees with what he is. In essence, the online setting may induce the idea that no further meaning is needed or possible than what is shown on the screen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]