Psychotherapy using distance technology: A comparison of face-to-face, video, and audio treatment.

Abstract

This study compared selected process and outcome variables across 3 modes of psychotherapy: faceto-face, real-time video conference, and 2-way audio (analogous to telephone). Results from 80 randomly assigned clients suggested that differences in process and outcome among the 3 treatments were small and clinically promising in comparison with the untreated control group.

Client Satisfaction and Outcome Comparisons of Online and Face-to-Face Counselling Methods

“…We can conclude, then, that although online and face-to-face clients differ in their GAF assessments, the two modalities are not different in their ability to bring about change. This takes Day and Schneider's (2002) work a step further. In their work, cybercounselling appeared promising in comparison with a control.…”

Cybertherapeutic Theory and Techniques

“…Internet telephoning and videoconferencing attempt to re-create the more sensory-rich sights and sounds of an in-person encounter. Some research has begun to explore the use and effectiveness of such online audiovisual interventions (Day & Schneider, 2002;Glueckauf et al, 2002;Manchanda & Mclaren, 1998;Rees & Stone, 2005;Simpson, 2003). In this category of sensory-rich communication, we may also include the more imaginary multimedia environments in which the therapeutic process takes place in an artificially constructed scene or "virtual reality" -in some cases including visual icons called avatars that clients use to represent themselves within that environment (Gaggioli, Mantovani, Castelnuovo, Wiederhold, & Riva, 2003;Glantz, Rizzo, & Graap, 2003;Riva, 2000Riva, , 2003Schuemie, Van der Straaten, Krijn, & Van der Mast, 2001;Wiederhold & Wiederhold, 1998).…”

New Technological Settings of Communication to Improve the Traditional Techniques in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

“…Due to its "disinhibition effect" in comparison with face-to-face (Suler, 2001), cybertherapy could be an important choice for the treatment of anxiety disorders, at least in a first part of the therapy, during the creation of a functional working alliance. According to Day and Schneider (Day and Schneider, 2002), patients in etherapy make "more of an effort to communicate, taking more responsibility for the interaction than they did in faceto-face traditional therapy" (p. 502) or they could feel safer opening and telling more in a cyber situation in comparison with a traditional face-to-face setting. We have also to take into account that several psychological disorders result in extreme discomfort with human contact.…”

“…According to this point of view, the methods, techniques and procedures related to a particular theory, model or approach used in psychotherapy are preserved and the only relevant difference is the change of setting from a f-2-f setting to an Internet-mediated one. Day and Shneider in a recent report examined the level of working alliance in three conditions (face-to-face, audio and video individual therapy) and noted that "the similarities among the three treatment groups -face-to-face, video teleconference and audio conference -came through more strongly than any differences" (p. 501) (Day and Schneider, 2002).…”

“…About the first issue, "extensions of teletherapy to people in restricted conditions such as prisons, hospices, nursing homes need to be studied" (Day and Schneider, 2002).…”