Is online therapy as effective as in person?
Working from home is a necessity for many of us. Businesses quickly and effectively moved away from offices and into the digital space. And it’s the same way with psychological support. Psychologists and therapists have been providing their services online for years. Although it is not everyone’s favorite way of doing things – science clearly points to online therapy being as effective as traditional sessions. Not only that, the clients themselves report that online sessions give them the same satisfaction as direct, in-person contact.
Research proven effectiveness
In 2008, Professor Azy Barak from the University of Haifa conducted a comprehensive review of studies on the effectiveness of online therapy. After reviewing 92 studies involving over 9,000 clients, it was concluded that there were no differences in the effectiveness of online therapy and face-to-face therapy. The studied population represented a diverse group in terms of age, gender, race, and language. More information can be found here(link).
Another study conducted by clinicians at the University of Zurich provides an interesting analysis of therapeutic work with 62 people showing symptoms of depression. They were divided into two groups based on the method of working with a therapist. It was found that the effectiveness rate was the same for both the “online” group (53%) and the “face-to-face” group (50%). Additionally, both groups were equally satisfied with the support they received. As many as 96% of the online therapy group rated the relationship with their therapist positively, describing the contact as “personal,” while 91% of the face-to-face group gave the same assessment (Journal of Affective Disorders, 2013).
A study conducted between 2006-2010 involving 98,609 war veterans showed a significant reduction in the number of hospitalization days if they opted for additional online support (Psychiatric Services, April 2012). Link to the studies.
Another study from 2009, authored by L. Murphy, P. Parnass, and colleagues, provides similar data – no significant differences were found between online and in-person therapy in terms of effectiveness and client satisfaction (British Journal of Social Work, 2009). Read more about it here.
Additionally, numerous sources report the effectiveness of online therapy for anxiety disorders, eating disorders, ADHD, PTSD, stress reduction, and many other areas of therapeutic work. Remote support can be used in working with children, adolescents, adults, as well as couples or families – although not in all cases.
Benefits of online psychological support
Remote work with a therapist can be a good solution for anyone who is too busy to put time into travelling to the location, people living abroad for whom language of the therapy can be an obstacle as well as its price. It is also accessible to people who live in places where there is no clinic, or where their choice of specialists is limited. It is great for people who feel the best in the comfort of their own home and for those who want to remain anonymous – online therapy will not lead to bumping into a friend or colleague in the waiting room. Online sessions can be helpful for the handicapped, or otherwise incapacitated. Young mothers who cannot leave their child alone at home can also use online support to great results.
The pandemic also taught us that nothing is certain, and in crisis situations online sessions become a necessity, especially in times where the support is even more important.
Limits of online support
In my opinion the biggest obstacle in using online therapy is comfort. The client will always know best what form of therapy is going to suit them. It’s all about internal comfort – being used to online interaction, feeling safe, being open to this method of working with a therapist, as well as external factors – is the client’s environment appropriate for conducting a calm dialogue, can they be sure that other people in the house cannot hear the conversation.
Other limitations pertain to children or the elderly, who maybe haven’t had previous experience with online interactions.
It can also be the case that people with serious disorders, or those who need quick intervention use online support as a temporary solution, or in addition to on-site therapy. This recommendation is made by the therapist, depending on the psychophysical and emotional state of the client.
How does online therapy work?
After scheduling a session, the client usually pays the fee online. The session lasts from 50 to 60 minutes.
The content of the session is confidential and cannot be recorded or otherwise made available to third parties under any circumstance, except special circumstances after receiving written permission from the client and therapist.
During online sessions the therapist works from their office, behind closed doors. Similarly, the client should make sure they have a room available to themselves, with fully comfortable conditions for the session.
It might be worth a try
Then why not try online therapy? More and more clients as well as therapists enjoy this form of work. Effectiveness, client satisfaction and the quality of the therapeutic work are the same as in person. The client stays in a safe space, an environment that they know and feel comfortable in, at a convenient time and without excessive preparations. A session under a blanket, in sweatpants and a mug of Your favorite tea can be a great solution in today’s world.
