Phone Therapy May Help Depression
The participants in their study were initially diagnosed by their primary care physicians and prescribed an antidepressant. Half the group of 400 patients received eight sessions of phone therapy lasting on average of about 32 minutes per session during the first six months of treatment. They then received two to four additional sessions averaging about 18 minutes each in the next six months. The other half of the group did not receive any treatment other than the antidepressants and whatever outside help they may have sought.
What the researchers found was that after 18 months, the phone therapy group had better scores on a test measuring depression symptoms. Also, 77 percent said that their depression was "much" or "very much" improved, compared to 63 percent of the group who did not receive phone therapy. In addition, 48 percent of the phone therapy group reported that their symptoms disappeared entirely, while only 38 percent of the other group reported this. The patients receiving phone therapy were also more compliant in taking their medication as prescribed.
The researchers are not certain whether it was the constant contact or the therapy itself which produced the effect. The type of therapy provided was a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, which is aimed at helping patients alter negative thought patterns, and behavioral activation, which encourages them to pursue activities they enjoy. This type of therapy is known to be helpful for depression in a face-to-face therapeutic environment.
The article appears in the April issue of Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
Comments
Without question, I think this is a wonderful idea. When I have suffered my worst bouts of depression, leaving the house to go and see my Psychiatrist was really a hard task for me to complete. I often tried to cancel appointments just so I didn’t have to leave the confinds of my “safe space” which was my house. Going out induced paranoia, occasionally panick attacts, and I would have done anything to not have to go through that.
Phone therapy would have helped me to deal with the paranoia before going out and having to deal with normal everyday life. I would strongly recommend it.
The problems with phone therapy are related to accountability-on both ends of therapy. The person experiencing depression in phone therapy does not have to make the physical efforts that we all know are imperative for restoration of wellness, such as motivation to move his/her body, physical exercise, sunshine, and contact with others.
On the other hand, the clinicians are not having an opportunity to actually see the client face to face for a full assessment; suicidal behaviors are not as easily detacted; and full engagement of necessary interventions is minimized in the name of “keeping the client in their comfort zone”.
While some research is stating it is better than nothing, the liklihood it will become “phone therapy or nothing in the client’s mind” is high. This is dangerous. The fact that it is low overhead for the provider cements the dangers. It will be imperative this is used only in truly no alternative situations or for the precontemplative and contemplative stages of change with a quick movement in to face to face situations.
I would guess liability issues here will skyrocket.
Phone therapy is, I feel, a good thing for many people experiencing depression or other psychiatric disorders. It is easier at times, to open up on the phone and talk about difficult things, to be more honest. Face to face contact is good also, but phone therapy has its own advantages.
Coaching is a healthy alternative to therapy for many people, or as something to compliment therapy for depression, ADHD and other psychiatric problems.
I think that phone therapy would be great, if I could afford it. Right now I don’t go to any form of therapy, and my insurance would cover it, because I NEVER leave my house. With phone therapy I might have a chance of getting better, or at least better than I am now. I was looking into VNS, but could never make the appts. to see about getting it. The therapist who wroter previously probably doesn’t know how many there are like me that don’t see therapists because we CAN’T. Doesn’t he/she think that phone therapy is better than nothing? Lazy? Who’s lazy? WE ARE DEPRESSED!!!!
Personally I wouldn’t go for phone therapy. First of all I’m not a phone person. I have unlimited calling and I joke that I should rent out my phone because I never use it. But more importantly I think there’s something very important about looking someone in the eye. Without seeing someone face to face it would be very easy to BS your way though a session. I don’t think my depression would have been successfully treated were my therapy not face to face (along with the meds which saved my life).
I really don’t know if phone therapy would help or not….as for me, I think talking to someone who is with you and uderstands and is understanding, would work better for me…but I don’t have anyone who understands or will listen…..not even hold my hand which would help so much!!
I think this is a great idea. Some forms of coping with depression are just formulas that are pretty standard. I am a retied therapist, and I think I am very good, so I am treated myself. I just started taking Cymbalta which seems to work very well for me. It has already helped me get rid of two of the other medications that were becoming less effective and were making me feel dumb! I did e-mail therapy once and it was fairly good, but I think the phone would be great!