What is the effectiveness of online psychotherapy by video call?

If there is something that characterizes the world of the Internet and electronic devices linked to the audiovisual, it is that their functions have greatly diversified in recent decades. Who was going to tell us 30 years ago that a computer could be used to go to therapy? And yet it has been so: currently, online therapy by video call is a reality.

However, this could draw the attention of those who see the process of psychotherapy in a superficial way, given that sitting in front of the computer offers a clearly different image from sitting in front of a psychologist.

What happens is that the scientific investigations carried out on this subject show that such a difference is only apparent: although change the channel of communication, online psychotherapy is equivalent in efficacy to face-to-face psychotherapy, and the fact that in many cases it is cheaper is mainly due to the fact that in it the professional must face fewer costs, not because it is less useful for the patient. In this article

We will see what are the aspects that explain the high efficiency of online therapy by video call.

• Related article: "The 9 benefits of online psychological therapy"

Why is online psychotherapy by video call effective?

These are the main reasons why the effectiveness of online video call therapy is equivalent to the "traditional" therapy carried out face to face with the psychologist.

1. It is a very adaptable mode of psychotherapy

Online psychotherapy by video call can be adapted to a large number of contexts; for example, it makes it possible for sessions to be interrupted even if the patient goes away for a week, or even if they have to leave the office late one day.

It is true that there are some material limitations, but these only arise in very specific cases in those that need to make use of materials that the patient does not have and that are in the doctor's office psychologist; nothing that cannot be foreseen or corrected through other intervention methodologies that are compatible with the online format.

2. Makes it possible to take into account non-verbal language

Not so long ago, most homes did not have the possibility of having a video call service in which the data transmission was fluid and the image quality was good.

Fortunately, today this has changed a lot, and that is why video call sessions without technical problems and in which the other person can be seen with good image and sound quality and in real time they are totally normal, they do not surprise anyone. And this plays a role in the effectiveness of online therapy.

The fact of being able to see in real time the non-verbal language of the patients makes it easy for psychologists to adapt your communication style to what they hear the other person say, correctly inferring the real meaning of the sentences beyond their literalness, and knowing more about the emotional state of the interlocutor.

Taking into account that in psychotherapy it is essential to make patients feel comfortable so that they can express their fears and concerns openly and without reservations, it is normal that Research shows that online therapy by video call is effective: while sitting, the vast majority of the non-verbal information expressed by the other person is captured by the camera.

3. Allows the establishment of a good therapeutic alliance

The therapeutic alliance is the link between therapist and patient that is established in the context of psychological intervention, both in sessions as in the time that elapses between them, and in which an agreement is generated on the objectives to be achieved and the means to be used to to get it. So, is linked with a mutual respect and a sense of identification with the other That, yes, is always reflected in a professional type of treatment, not friendship.

Although it is appropriate that both deal only at times for which there is a reserved time and it has been agreed in advance to work on the problem that affects the patient, the therapeutic alliance is also reflected when the latter is living his day to day without the direct supervision of the professional and without talking to him at that time. moment.

And it is that the therapeutic alliance is a large part of what makes it possible for the patient to commit to the therapeutic process, even knowing that this will require you to leave your comfort zone and make short-term efforts to benefit from it in the long term. This link with the psychotherapist is the push that helps the patient to progress and reach the objectives of the therapy, that is, a source of self-motivation and confidence in a professional trained precisely to help in these cases.

In online therapy by video call, it has been seen that the strength of the therapeutic alliance is comparable to that produced in face-to-face sessions; In this sense, it has a fundamental advantage over other forms of remote psychological intervention, such as chat sessions with psychologists. In the latter, since there is no exchange of audio and video in real time, it is more difficult to "connect" with the psychologists, as it is perceived that the treatment is more impersonal and distant.

4. Provides extra discretion

For many people, it is quite a challenge to go to an unfamiliar place and start talking about their lives and the aspects of their lives that they would like to improve. Although psychology centers try to offer discretion and always offer the possibility of speaking with the psychologist in quiet rooms where privacy is available, The truth is that this cannot compete with the one offered by the online modality, since in the latter you do not even have to go to the health center or the center or cabinet of psychology.

That is why in some cases the patient is able to relax more feeling that she is going to therapy without leaving a place she knows well. When patients' attention can be focused solely on making sure therapy is going well, not being “alert” for anxiety, the results obtained are better and the treatment is much more likely to flow good.

Are you looking for professional psychological support?

If you are going through a bad time and there are aspects of your way of thinking, feeling or behaving that you want to change, get in touch with our team of professionals. In Advance Psychologists We have been working in the field of psychotherapy for more than 20 years, and we attend both face-to-face in our center in Madrid or through online therapy by video call, if so you prefer.

In addition to offering individualized psychotherapy for people of all ages, we also perform other types of related services: couples therapy, speech therapy, coaching, and psychiatric assistance and neuropsychological. You will find more information about our way of working (as well as our contact details) at this page.

Bibliographic references:

• Abbott, J.A.M.; Klein, B. & Ciechomski, L. (2008). Best Practices in Online Therapy. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 26:pp. 360 - 375.
• Change, d. (2008). The Effectiveness of Telemental Health Applications. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 53:pp. 769 – 778.
• Change, D.J. (2010). Empirical evidence on the use and effectiveness of telepsychiatry via videoconferencing: implications for forensic and correctional psychiatry. Social Science & Medicine, 71:pp. 1308 – 1315.
• Cohen, G. & Kerr, B. (1998). Computer-mediated counselling: an empirical study of a new mental health treatment. Computers in Human Services, 15(4): pp. 13 - 26.
• Gratzer, D. and Khalid-Khan, F. (2016). Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of psychiatric illness. CMAJ, 188(4)pp. 263 – 272.
• Rees, C.S. & Haythornthwaite, S. (2011). Telepsychology and videoconferencing: Issues, opportunities and guidelines for psychologists. Australian Psychologist, https://doi.org/10.1080/00050060412331295108