Studies Say Telehealth Counseling Actually Works - Here's Why

Does Telehealth really work? Read more for info about its efficacy!

Telehealth Counseling in the Five Towns of Long Island

With the coronavirus pandemic requiring that most of the United States shut down and practice social distancing, you may be wondering about the possibility of telehealth counseling. Indeed, the use of online therapy has jumped dramatically as a result of the pandemic.

If you struggle with anxiety and have had counseling before, you probably know how much your in-person sessions with your therapist have helped you. If you’re new to therapy but suspect that counseling is needed, you’ll likely have to begin with telehealth given the coronavirus situation.

What Studies Say

No matter which situation you’re in, you may have questions about whether or not telehealth therapy works as well as in-person sessions. The answer is yes, according to several scientific studies done within the last two decades.

These studies have looked at the effectiveness of telehealth counseling for anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and many more mental health conditions. They’ve even found that in some cases, online therapy can be more effective than in-person sessions, with longer-lasting benefits.

Study Authors

Researchers have performed many more studies than I share here, but the included ones are representative of the others. The results were all published in respected academic journals for use by other therapists.

In 2014, researchers found that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety was equally effective as CBT performed in an office. Another group of researchers this same year found that using CBT for depression was also equally effective when done online as in person.

Even veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found equal relief when treated online versus in person, as the Veterans Affairs found in a 2016 study.

Finally, in 2010 and again in 2018, researchers performed a meta-analysis of all of the studies done to date on the effectiveness of online therapy. (A meta-analysis means that they reviewed all previous studies and evaluated the results.) Again, this in-depth, large scale review showed that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy. This held true for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety.

Study Approaches

It’s important to note that all of these studies were performed in an unbiased approach. Patients were randomly assigned to either online or in-person sessions to avoid unintentional self-selection. Researchers designed these studies carefully to yield the most accurate, honest results.

Why Does It Work?

While some of the subtle nuances of in-person therapy sessions are missing during online sessions, the heart of the sessions is still the same. Clients have the opportunity to talk directly with a therapist about what they’re experiencing. The therapist is still able to guide the client through helpful exercises that help address the underlying anxiety.

There are also other benefits to online therapy. Some of these studies found that specific populations were more likely to show up for their online sessions. After all, there’s an ease to online appointments that isn’t available in person. You don’t have to drive anywhere; traffic and bad weather can’t create delays. A bad cold or other illness doesn’t mean a canceled appointment.

Clients are also likely more relaxed in their home environment than when they go to an office. Being at ease allows clients to open up more readily and thereby reap further benefits from the online sessions.

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Even if you try online therapy but find you’d prefer to meet in person, you can rest assured knowing that it’s an excellent option when you’re not able to meet at the office. The coronavirus shutdown is one of these times.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, it’s essential to seek treatment when it interferes with your life. If you’re already in therapy, being consistent will help you build upon the results you’ve already found.

At Integrative Psychotherapy we are happy to offer online therapy sessions to new york residents seeking treatment. I’d be delighted to talk with you about any questions you have about what therapy can look like for you at this time. Call our office today for a free 15 minute complimentary consultation to map out a plan for your healing.