This article is curled from a research from Brigham Young University published in Behavior Therapy. It was found that providing treatment for clinical depression over the telephone can be almost as effective as face-to-face consultations.
According to the Research.
The study recruited 30 individuals newly diagnosed with major depression. Participants covered issues normally addressed during eight clinic appointments in a series of phone calls with the psychotherapist lasting between 21 and 52 minutes. Patients did not receive antidepressant medication. At six month follow-up, 42 per cent had recovered. Similar therapy conducted in person is reported to have a 50 per cent recovery rate.
Researchers report that one-third of eligible participants declined the option, preferring direct contact with the psychotherapist. While acknowledging the small sample size, they cite a previous antidepressant drug trial that included a telephone counselling component that produced similar results.
Co-author Diane Spangler, a professor of psychology, said:
“Offering a phone or webcam option for psychotherapy does appear warranted from an efficacy point of view. It?s more user- friendly – no commutes, more flexibility of place and time – and has no side effects.”