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BY LYNDSEY GARZA



Psychotherapists are phoning in — as a new study by the American Medical Association suggests tele-therapy could be an effective treatment for depression. Denver’s KDVR has more...

“It comes as no surprise a new study suggests getting psychotherapy by phone may make sense too. A study published... found that tele-therapy encourages more depressed patients to get help for their mental affliction.”

In the study, 325 patients were assigned to receive in-person or telephone treatment. Critics suggest those who are able to retain tele-therapy might be more severely depressed and therefore — more inclined to drop out of traditional therapy. According to WebMD, most who dropout of traditional psychotherapy do so in the first few weeks.

“Telephone therapy was able to reduce dropout. Four out of five who got therapy over the phone could complete 18 weeks of treatment, while only two out of three assigned to face-to-face therapy could complete treatment... Patients a lot of times tell us they prefer this. And it could be especially attractive for people in rural areas or those with physical disability.”

The research suggests phone therapy could overcome barriers like transportation, availability of services, effort and time. The study’s author says there is a misconception that people who drop out of therapy simply don’t want help — when in reality it is typically barriers that prevent continuation.

But a director of geriatric psychiatry argues without face-to-face interaction, many key nonverbal cues can be missed — which means a difference in intimacy. The author explains this argument on CNN.

“All therapists in the study found that they could establish a relationship with someone over the phone that was just as deep and just as meaningful [as face-to-face therapy].”

The research found no significant difference between the two groups receiving treatment in person or over the phone. After 6 months, patients receiving in-person therapy reported they were less depressed. Psychologists suggest combining both could be advantageous.

Experts agree tele-therapy is not a substitute for face-to-face consultation altogether. A Boston University psychology professor argues the advantage of traditional therapy is obvious, but the reason is unclear...

"This strategy might lead to lower attrition (than) face-to-face, but greater efficacy than (telephone-based cognitive behavioral therapy) over the long-term."

Research suggests there is little reason tele-therapy wouldn’t work for other illnesses like anxiety disorders. But CBC News argues the study was flawed, saying--

“It displays inherent bias without the use of a double blind, which would mask the patients in the treatment to the researchers.”

Most insurance companies offer little — if any — reimbursement for phone therapy. According to MSN, many psychologists are working to implement videoconferencing over secure channels to protect patient confidentiality.