Remote therapy can be helpful for issues other than depression, particularly anxiety disorders.
A 2010 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that video conferencing can be successful in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. In that study, researchers compared the effectiveness of 12 sessions of anger management therapy delivered via video to in-person delivery of the same treatment to 125 rural combat veterans with PTSD. The researchers found that the video-based anger management therapy was just as effective as the face-to-face care.
That said, some therapists have concerns when it comes to this type of therapy. The APA says that these concerns revolve around privacy and billing matters. Those in the mental health field worry about training -- especially when it comes to e-mail.
According to the APA, “Some say that while email is often the ‘easiest’ technology, it has serious limitations as a clinical tool, including the absence of the ability to ‘see’ non-verbal cues from a client.” That’s because therapists often rely on body language to determine how a patient really feels. But if he or she can’t see how a patient reacts, this can be tough.
Licensing can be a gray area. This is because therapists are required to be licensed in the state where they practice. While it would seem logical that a remote patient/therapist relationship should continue once a patient has moved, in most cases it can’t due to legal requirements. This can be confusing to a patient.
In this case, a therapist often will help a patient to find a new therapist. Further, he or she will brief the new therapist on the patient’s history once the patient signs an information release. However, this entire process can be tough on the patient because the bond is broken, and the patient must begin anew.