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Online versus In-Person Counseling: A Review of Existing Studies
Narration of the Box Score Table
Martha Ramsey
Saint Leo University
Capsthesis/Capstone Project II: PSY 695
Instructor Lara Ault
April 9, 2024
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Online versus In-Person Counseling: A Review of Existing Studies
A number of researchers have tried to find out about patients’ and therapists’ opinions as
well as their own experiences with utilizing online therapy. In their study, Khan et al. (2021) put
forward virtual counselors who had presented online therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With that process, the mental health counselors encountered different feelings like embracing or
being stuck to the online services. Moreover, Zerem et al. (2021) conducted interviews among
six online patients who rated high satisfaction levels with the online treatments.
These are a few qualitative studies that explored particular themes more deeply. Tuna and
Avci (2023) had telephonic interviews with 15 counselors, and they learned about the way that
online counseling differs from face-to-face counseling. The understanding point was the
necessity to change tools for building relationships and reading without the facial to facial
contact. The research was conducted by Posselt et al. (2024), and their target population was a
community of 17 patients who revealed their opinion on the effectiveness performance of using
virtual platforms compared to in-person therapies.
Looking at the quantitative results of various studies assessment revealed positive
treatment results. Sockalingam et al. (2024) conducted a study of surgery patients and reported
they had a considerable degree of mental distress alleviation under insurance-based treatment. In
their works, compelling evidence was published by Westerhof et al. (2019) and Ierardi et al.
(2022). They both found trial study groups that had online therapy were, as compared to control
groups that received no treatment, highly effective in treating depression symptoms. Greenwood
et al. (2022) went for the next step, which was the conduct of a randomized controlled trial
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indicating the ability to apply cognitive behavioral therapy online to treat mental health concerns
successfully.
Other than the patient reactions and the therapist’s feedback, along with the outcomes of
the therapy, the different research areas are also included. The study et al. (2024) was to map out
18 therapists’ challenges when planning online treatment. One of the challenges faced was the
need for in-person rapport and the ability to show flexibility in the learning environment. Békés
et al. (2021) performed a survey of over 1,000 therapists, and they discovered that the therapists
had their own opinions and quality concerns relating to online treatment modalities. Moreover,
Ncheka et al. (2022) examined the young university students’ perceptions of mental health
impact and counseling necessities due to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
Just as several studies produced some notable results, others have had mixed reviews.
The researchers have discovered two critical points concerning online therapy that were
established during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include improved accessibility and
continuity within inpatient mental healthcare. A study found that patients who were put in place
remotely reduced psychological distress of hematology patients unable to meet with counselors
at the hospital in person. Lastly, Renn et al. (2019) suggested that patients would opt for a variety
of means, such as online and in-person therapy, depending on their circumstances. Such diversity
would be a drawback from preferences to factors such as anxiety and availability.
The research conveys, in a nutshell, the predominant views of the therapy delivered online to
both patients and therapists. Studies were aimed at using an array of qualitative and quantitative
tools to fully rate the effectiveness of emerging telehealth services. Even with the challenges,
online modalities prove to be an excellent tool in the process of providing mental healthcare
conveniently, using technology to improve the quality of healthcare.
supportive of the quality of online therapy??
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References
Békés, V., Aafjes-van Doorn, K., Luo, X., Prout, T. A., & Hoffman, L. (2021). Psychotherapists’
challenges with online therapy during COVID-19: Concerns about connectedness predict
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in Psychology, 12, 705699. Doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.705699
Greenwood, H., Krzyzaniak, N., Peiris, R., Clark, J., Scott, A. M., Cardona, M., … & Glasziou,
P. (2022). Telehealth versus face-to-face psychotherapy for less common mental health
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