Distance Counseling Effectiveness Research
The effects of online psychotherapy outlasted the results of face-to-face counseling
A University of Zurich study divided a group of 62 patients in half and found that depression was eased in 53 percent of those given online therapy, compared to 50 percent who had in-person counseling. Three months after completing the study, 57 percent of online patients showed no signs of depression compared to 42 percent with conventional therapy.
— Journal of Affective Disorders, 2013
A Canadian study shows that online therapy delivers the same satisfaction at slightly less the cost.
Patients in Ontario, Canada were assigned to face-to-face or live video counseling and experienced statistically the same clinical outcome and level of patient satisfaction. The only difference was that the cost of providing the online service was 10% less per patient. — American Psychiatric Association, 2007
Online therapy may be an efficient way to provide PTSD treatment to a large group of people.
A pilot study compared the effectiveness of online cognitive behavioral therapy and in-person supportive therapy in 45 Defense service members suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the September 11th attack. After eight weeks those receiving online therapy showed greater improvement. Six months after their first meeting those who had received online therapy continued to show improvement, in direct contrast to the in-person group. — American Journal of Psychiatry, November 2007
Online therapy beneficial in treating mental health problems | University of New South Wales
In findings that could revolutionise the way psychologists treat their patients, researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and St Vincent’s Hospital have shown online treatments are just as effective as face-to-face therapies for a wide range of common mental disorders.” Anxiety, social phobias and depression are all conditions that respond well to clinician-supported internet-based treatments, the researchers found, with program participants recording recovery rates comparable to those in face-to-face therapy.”
Can telepsychiatry replace in-person psychiatric assessments? A review and meta-analysis of comparison studies | CNS Spectrums, May 2005
Researchers from Columbia conduct meta-analysis of 14 studies and found telepsychiatry effective: “The current meta-analysis concludes there is no difference in accuracy or satisfaction between the two modalities. Over the next few years, we expect telepsychiatry to replace I-P in certain research and clinical situations.”