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Many people ask whether therapy by video or internet works as well as sitting in a room with a psychologist. Research on one popular treatment, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), gives a careful, partial answer.
What the research found
A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis in the journal Cognitive Behaviour Therapy pooled 20 studies with 1,418 participants. It compared guided internet-delivered CBT with face-to-face CBT. After treatment, the two had about the same effect, and the quality of the studies did not change that result (Carlbring et al., 2018).
What it does not tell us
The authors point out limits. Few studies looked at specific psychiatric or physical conditions, and most did not compare the two formats directly. They call for more research with larger groups. So the finding is encouraging, but it is not a promise that online therapy works equally well for every person or every problem.
The studies are also about guided internet-delivered CBT, where a therapist supports a person through a structured online programme. Live video sessions are related, but they are not the same thing, so the review should not be read as proof about video therapy specifically.
What this means if you are choosing
- Online CBT is a reasonable option to consider for many people, especially when travel, distance or time make in-person sessions hard.
- The right format depends on you. Some conditions and some assessments need in-person work.
- A first consultation is the place to talk through which format suits you.
At Psypathology we offer CBT in person, online and hybrid. You can read about the therapies we offer online or book a consultation.
Source
- Carlbring, P., et al. (2018). Internet-based vs. face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychiatric and somatic disorders: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 47(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2017.1401115 (PubMed record)