She believed she could, so she did. ~ R.S. Gray

Research Articles Related to Online, Telephone and Walk & Talk Therapy Delivery

Research consistently shows that online treatment can be very effective for many mental health concerns. Listed are some interesting results from a sampling of studies on this topic.

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• A 2014 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that online treatment was just as effective as face-to-face treatment for depression.

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• A 2014 study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in treating anxiety disorders. Treatment was cost-effective and the positive improvements were sustained at the one-year follow-up.

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• A 2018 study published in the Journal of Psychological Disorders found that online cognitive behavioral therapy is, "effective, acceptable, and practical health care." The study found the online cognitive behavioral therapy was equally as effective as face-to-face treatment for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.

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• A 2020 study published in Science Direct found that clients reported walk-and-talk therapy equally or more therapeutic than traditional therapy and felt walk and-talk could be a less stigmatizing therapeutic alternative for individuals who find traditional, indoor therapy unappealing, inaccessible or inconvenient.

Online therapy offers some key benefits over traditional face-to-face treatment:

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• Ecological: our carbon footprint is reduced when we don't need to drive to access services

• Accessibility: no need to navigate the logistics of traffic, parking, childcare, etc.

• Efficiency: less time is spent travelling to therapy when accessed from a client's preferred location

• Anonymity: clients will not run into others in waiting rooms or have to engage in small talk

• Privacy: clients only see their therapist without an admin staff or other clients in a busy, multi-care clinic

• Scheduling: many clients find therapy-from-anywhere to be highly convenient

• Affordability: clients save money on parking, hiring childcare, etc. 

• Sustainability: when therapy is easier to access, clients may come more often and find more time to commit to this work

• Effectiveness: due to the ease of access, clients may see results sooner when are able to engage in regular support

• Inclusiveness: Individuals with anxiety, especially social anxiety, are more likely to reach out to an online therapist

Additional reading on this topic:

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https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/walk-and-talk-therapy#1

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https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/mind-matters-menninger/202001/take-your-talk-therapy-walk

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References:

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Cooley, S., Jones, C., Kurtz, A., & Robertson, N. (2020, March 04). 'Into the Wild': A meta-synthesis of talking therapy in natural outdoor spaces. Retrieved May 17, 2020, from

Morin, A. (2019, November 14). Does Online Therapy Work? Retrieved May 17, 2020, from

The Potential Benefits of Online Treatment

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Wright, S. (2008, April 11). Walk and Talk Therapy. Retrieved May 17, 2020, from

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