Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, countless Americans have been struggling with their mental health. Stressors are plentiful: worry over the pandemic itself, job security, and closed schools, along with all your worries prior to the pandemic.
Many people grapple with feelings of isolation due to social distancing requirements. Individuals who were seeing therapists before the pandemic had to transition to online therapy or none at all. However, these struggles have shaped an intricate helpline.
From general physicians to therapists, many health professionals have had to reshape the way they conduct business to accommodate strict social distancing guidelines. With these new developments, some have raised questions regarding the effectiveness of online therapy. This article will look at online treatment and its effectiveness and how it has developed throughout the pandemic.
What Is Online Therapy?
Online therapy is counseling services, psychotherapy, or psychiatric help that occurs over the internet. It has become much more common within the confines of the pandemic.
Instead of meeting face-to-face, individuals can connect with a licensed therapist or counselor via almost any device with an internet connection, including tablets, smartphones, and computers, through software tools such as:
- Zoom
- Facetime
- Google Meet
- Skype
The flexibility allows individuals to seek assistance from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Online therapy is often used interchangeably with other terms such as e-therapy or teletherapy.
What Is Causing The Influx?
According to a June 2020 CDC report, Americans’ mental health has noticeably declined compared to the same time the previous year. In a survey done during the same time frame, more than 50% of Americans expressed that worry and stress regarding the pandemic had negatively impacted their mental health.
Anxiety rates have multiplied to three times what they were in 2019. Depression rates surpass that, skyrocketing to four times higher than 2019 statistics. Suicide rates are also up since previous years – the CDC’s June 2020 report outlined such.
Adults were twice as likely to seriously consider suicide in the past month than those in the 2018 survey.
Given the increase in mental health issues and struggles, therapy has become a highly sought-after commodity. Unfortunately, in-person therapy sessions are limited due to social distancing restrictions, leaving therapists and clientele to turn to online opportunities instead.
Is Online Therapy Effective?
Yes, online therapy is effective. However, every person is different, so it may work better or worse for you.
With that said, research points to the effectiveness of online therapy and clearly shows that it can be just as effective as its in-person counterpart. A 2018 meta-analysis, which is a study that meshes the results of several studies, examined the effectiveness of in-person and online therapy for several types of anxiety and depression.
This particular study examined a specific type of therapy known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of treatment that helps facilitate a patient’s learning surrounding changing negative emotions by adjusting how they think about fears, problems, and experiences.
Researchers compiled the data from twenty different studies that involved more than 1,400 patients in therapy. They concluded that online CBT was equally as effective as face-to-face CBT for treating depression and anxiety.
A 2019 study, also a meta-analysis, took into account forty studies to examine the effectiveness of online therapy, also CBT, specifically for depression. The majority of the studies examined people receiving online therapy and those who weren’t receiving online therapy.
The point was to demonstrate how much of a difference online therapy can have. Those who remained in therapy longer had more significant benefits in reducing their depression than their counterparts. Several studies demonstrated that both online and in-person approaches show the same effectiveness at relieving depression.
A study done in 2020 examined a type of therapy that focuses on goals and determining solutions to problems at hand. This type of therapy is called Solution-Focused Brief therapy. Again, the effectiveness of both in-person and online therapy in this form mirrored each other, yielding very similar results.
Additional research on PTSD and online therapy also finds that online treatment works for this form of trauma. Patients reported that they were equally satisfied with online forms of treatment, and most didn’t prefer one over the other.
Benefits Of Online Therapy
In comparison to in-person treatment options, online therapy offers several benefits. Online therapy provides a versatile, convenient choice for individuals who are unable or reluctant to pursue in-person therapy services.
Instead of commuting to a specific location, teletherapy allows patients to seek help from their homes, providing they have a solid Wi-Fi connection. Transportation can be difficult for those in rural areas or with a disability that hinders their ability to commute easily.
Online therapy also allows patients who struggle with anxiety, particularly social anxiety, to avoid stressful situations that may arise when leaving their homes to visit their therapist. Patients don’t need to worry about seeing people they know, such as in waiting rooms or coming and going from the therapist’s office.
There is a sense of privacy, and some online therapy sites permit users to use “nicknames” to sign up to encourage people who may be embarrassed about seeking help to do so privately.
In-person therapy appointments can be tricky for patients to find time for, with travel times, wait times, and the meeting itself being rather time-consuming. Online therapy appointments tend to require less of a therapist’s time. Not only does this free up the therapist’s time to see other patients, but each patient also avoids time-consuming appointments.
Online therapy services tend to cost less than in-person treatment, making them more accessible to those who may not have funds to see a therapist face-to-face.
Drawbacks Of Online Therapy
As with many things, online therapy does come with its own unique set of drawbacks. Online therapy is not for everyone. Patients who have specific issues or conditions, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis, suicidal intent, and other disorders, may not find what they are looking for in online therapy.
Therapists may have a tougher time diagnosing the patient, as they miss out on physical behaviors, including different body language and other cues. Another drawback of technologically connecting falls to the technology itself. Issues with the computer or internet, such as dropped calls, problems accessing chats, and frozen video, prevent smooth communication and create barriers.
Online therapy can also be somewhat of a gamble, as malicious sites may not keep a patient’s information confidential. Some bad actors who advertise themselves as therapists online may not be licensed mental health treatment providers, another risk of online therapy.
Those who seek help through online therapy may find that forming a therapeutic alliance between therapist and patient can be challenging in a virtual scenario. In the event of a crisis, interventions by an online therapist may not be possible.
What Are The Options For Online Therapy?
Individuals who are interested in seeking assistance through online based therapy have several options. Online treatment can occur in various ways, so the individual must choose the option that coincides with their preferences. Most therapists prefer to do online therapy through live video.
Many large organizations provide online therapy services and have a substantial base of therapists to choose from. Therapists may be local or across the country. Before selecting a provider, individuals must thoroughly research their potential candidates to ensure the provider is licensed and accepts their insurance.
Is It Worth It?
Online therapy is absolutely worth it for most individuals. Researchers have proven that online treatment is comparable to in-person therapy. However, with that said, it is not for everyone. People in need of therapy should thoroughly consider their situation before choosing between in-person and online therapy services.
Those who struggle with social anxiety, have issues commuting or are embarrassed to seek assistance may find precisely what they are looking for in online therapy. On the other hand, individuals who have certain conditions may not find online therapy compatible with them.
Although typically, the decision ultimately falls to the individual, those considering online therapy should evaluate their situation before making a decision, as it may not be the right choice for everyone.
Conclusion
Overall, online therapy can be an excellent choice for countless individuals seeking assistance with their mental health. Caring for one’s mental health has always been important, but it has become especially crucial within the pandemic and its restrictions.
Online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many patients. Statistics support the claim of the effectiveness of online therapy. Given the strict guidelines restricting in-person interactions, it’s definitely an option everyone should keep in mind.