 With technology changing and advancing, the option of video conferencing with a therapist has become more popular than ever. With this technology and change in the therapeutic process, many clinicians and clients have questioned the effectiveness of working through their mental health concerns with a screen.
According to the article by Tutty, Spangler, Poppleton, and Simon (2010) on "Evaluating The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Teletherapy in Depressed Adults," 69% of clients were very satisfied with their eight computer based sessions. With an additional 42% of clients in "recovery" at the time that the sessions concluded. Tutty et al. (2010) stated that similar results were indicated when other research was conducted on the topic. Not all therapy styles are created equal. Similarly, not all methods are meant for every client. For some, teletherapy would not be an appropriate means for therapeutic services due to the nature and symptoms that the individual may be feeling. For example, if a client was currently experiencing homicidal or suicidal thoughts, then teletherapy would not be appropriate at that time. When working with a therapist, you can have a thorough discussion about expectations on teletherapy and determine if teletherapy would be an appropriate fit for you.
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About The Author: Megan Bowling, M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. She has been in the mental health field for more than ten years. Megan's specialties include: anxiety, trauma, life changes, mood, relationships, and school challenges.
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