For mild depression, texting with a therapist works as well as video sessions, study finds

M

Misty Mink

A Breakthrough in Mental Health Treatment: Texting with a Therapist Offers Equivalent Relief to Video Sessions

Researchers at the University of Washington have made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges the conventional wisdom on mental health treatment. In a recent study, published in JAMA Network Open, scientists found that texting or emailing with a therapist can be just as effective as video-based therapy for individuals experiencing mild depression.

The study involved 850 participants, divided into two groups: one receiving unlimited communication with a therapist via text or email, and the other undergoing video therapy through the online platform Talkspace. Surprisingly, both groups showed equivalent alleviation of symptoms, improvements in social interactions, and enhanced functional outcomes.

According to Patricia A. Areán, co-author of the study and a retired professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, "We found that patients improved at similar rates, regardless of whether they were communicating with their therapist through messaging or live video calls." This finding supports the use of text-based therapy as a viable, evidence-based treatment for millions of Americans struggling with depression every year.

While texting with a therapist was deemed to be "as good as weekly therapy" by Areán, it also offered an added advantage: patients were less likely to drop out of treatment. Conversely, therapists and patients developed stronger relationships in video sessions, which may be beneficial for more complex cases or those requiring ongoing support.

However, the study's authors caution that this approach is not suitable for everyone. The research did not include individuals at high risk, such as those experiencing suicidal thoughts or psychosis. Additionally, some experts suggest that texting with a therapist might be more suitable as an initial step in treatment, leading to further interventions if necessary.

The findings have significant implications for expanding mental health treatment options and insurance coverage for text-based therapy. As Areán notes, "We didn't really find any differences in the outcomes." This breakthrough highlights the need for greater access to affordable, flexible, and effective treatments for those struggling with depression and other mental health concerns.
 
🤯 just imagine bein able to talk to a therapist from anywhere, no more stress of makin' time for sessions or worryin bout long lines at the therapist's office 📞😌 this study is like, total game changer, right? and it's not just about gettin mental health help, but also about accessibility 💻💸 so if u know someone who's strugglin with depression, they should totes look into text therapy, it could be a lifesaver 🤝
 
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" 💫 We've finally seen some hope in making mental health treatment more accessible and flexible! 🙌 Texting with a therapist is no longer the odd one out, it's on par with video sessions when it comes to effectiveness. 💯 I'm loving this shift towards using technology to break down barriers to care. It's a huge step forward for those struggling with depression and other mental health concerns. We're not just talking about better outcomes, we're talking about saving lives! 🕊️💖
 
🤔 I think this is a game-changer for people who struggle with mental health issues. The fact that texting with a therapist can be just as effective as video sessions is amazing 📱💻. It's also great to know that patients are less likely to drop out of treatment when communicating through text, which is often a major issue in traditional therapy settings 🤝.

It's interesting to consider how this could work for people who live far from therapists or have busy schedules 🌆. The only thing I'd be worried about is that some people might not feel comfortable with the idea of texting their therapist, so it's essential to make sure they're aware of what to expect 😊.

The researchers are right when they say this approach isn't suitable for everyone, though 💯. For people who need more intensive support or have suicidal thoughts, video sessions will always be necessary 🌟.

Overall, I think this breakthrough is a huge step forward in making mental health treatment more accessible and flexible 👍💚
 
🤔 just thinkin' about it... if you're too anxious or overwhelmed to video call a therapist, texting is defo a better option... plus its way more convenient... can imagine all the people who cant afford weekly therapy sessions or dont feel comfortable face-to-face... 📱💻 this could be a game changer for mental health treatment
 
I mean, can you believe it? 💥 Texting with a therapist is basically just as good as video sessions! I think it's awesome that researchers found this out, especially because mental health treatment should be accessible to everyone, not just people who have the time or money for in-person therapy. The fact that texting was less likely to make patients drop out of treatment is a major win too! 👍 It just goes to show that technology can be used for good, and we shouldn't underestimate the power of something as simple as text messages. 💻
 
this is amazing news 🤩, I mean who wouldn't want therapy but can't make time or feel too anxious? texting a therapist could be a game changer 💻, especially for people on the go or who need more control over their sessions 🕒️, it's like having a personal coach in your pocket 📱. and the fact that it's not just as effective but sometimes better than video calls is mind blown 😲, I can see how stronger relationships form in person but maybe that's not always necessary for everyone 💬. the only thing that worries me is who gets left behind 🤷‍♀️, like those who need more intense therapy or are struggling with serious mental health issues 💔, we need to make sure everyone has access to these new options 😊.
 
Ugh, another study that makes me wonder if our healthcare system is getting it right 🤯👀. I mean, 850 participants, divided into two groups? That's not exactly a control group, you know? What about the ones who can't afford therapy or have unstable internet connections? And don't even get me started on the lack of personal interaction - isn't that what therapy is all about? 🤷‍♀️💻 It's great that it works for some people, I guess, but let's not forget the ones who need more than just a text message to get their lives back together 💔👫.
 
I'm loving this news 🤩! So, basically what they're saying is that texting with a therapist can be just as good as having a video chat with one. I mean, think about it - we're already super busy in our daily lives, so who doesn't love the idea of being able to talk to someone when you need to, without having to make time for an actual appointment? 🕒️

But what's really cool is that this study found that people were less likely to drop out of treatment if they were texting with a therapist. That makes total sense to me - I've tried therapy before and it can be super intimidating at first, you know? Having a constant stream of communication can make it feel more manageable.

Of course, there are some caveats - like the fact that this isn't suitable for everyone, especially people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or psychosis. And yeah, the researchers did say that texting might be a good starting point, but then you'd need to follow up with in-person therapy if needed.

Overall, I'm all about expanding our mental health options and making it easier for people to get the help they need. This breakthrough is a huge step in the right direction 🚀!
 
OMG, can you even imagine getting therapy through texting? 🤯 I know some people might think it's weird, but like seriously, if it works just as well as video sessions, who cares how you communicate with your therapist?! The fact that more people would stick to treatment because they don't have to travel or feel awkward is kinda amazing. But at the same time, I get why some therapists and patients might prefer video calls for building those super important relationships... anyway, this is like totally a game-changer for mental health! 💡
 
I'm all about this new study 🤯! I think it's amazing that texting with a therapist is now being recognized as an effective treatment option. I've got a few friends who struggle with anxiety and depression, and they're always saying how hard it is to find time for therapy sessions, especially when life gets crazy busy 💼.

I love that this study showed both groups improving at similar rates, regardless of the format 📊. It just goes to show that what really matters is having a supportive conversation with someone who cares. And let's be real, texting can be way more convenient than video calls for some people 👀.

But yeah, it's also good to note that this approach might not be suitable for everyone 🤔. I think it's great that the researchers are cautious and acknowledging the limitations of their study. It's all about finding what works best for each individual, right? 💡
 
I gotta say, this is a game-changer 🤯. I mean, who wouldn't want to talk to a therapist without having to sit in a stuffy office or deal with awkward video calls? It's like, the tech world finally caught up with the mental health community 💻. But at the same time, it's also kinda concerning that people might not be ready for this kind of therapy. Like, what if you're feeling suicidal and all you have is a phone to talk to? 📱 That's just not ideal. Still, I think this is a step in the right direction. We need more options and flexibility when it comes to mental health care. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to avoid those awkward video calls with their therapist 😂.
 
OMG 🤯 I'm low-key surprised about this study! I mean, we've been using texting as a form of support for ages, but it's crazy that researchers are now saying it can be just as effective as video therapy 😲 The fact that patients who texted with their therapist showed similar improvement rates to those in video sessions is mind-blowing. It's like the "talking" part doesn't even matter – just getting support from someone makes a difference, right? 💬 And I love how they found that texting was less likely to make people drop out of treatment... that's huge for accessibility 🚀 Can you imagine if more therapists offered text-based sessions as an option? It could be a total game-changer for people who struggle with getting to in-person therapy. Anyway, this study is giving me all the feels 💕
 
🤔 I'm loving this breakthrough in mental health treatment! The idea that texting with a therapist can be just as effective as video sessions is a total game-changer. I mean, think about it - who doesn't have their phone on them at all times? 📱 It's crazy to me how much of a difference technology can make when it comes to access to mental health care.

I also love that the study showed patients were less likely to drop out of treatment with texting therapy. That's huge! And while it may not be suitable for everyone, I think this could be a major step towards making mental health more accessible and affordable.

The fact that therapists are already using text-based therapy as part of their practice is also super cool. It just goes to show how flexible and adaptable we need to be when it comes to addressing the needs of our community.

Overall, I'm so excited about this development! 🎉
 
I'm low-key stoked about this breakthrough in mental health treatment 🤩. Texting with a therapist is definitely more convenient than video sessions, but I still think there's something special about having that face-to-face interaction with your therapist. That said, it's awesome that texting can offer similar relief and improvements for people struggling with depression. The fact that patients were less likely to drop out of treatment via text-based therapy is a huge win 📈. But yeah, I agree that this approach might be more suitable as an initial step in treatment, rather than a replacement for video sessions entirely 💡.
 
This is so cool! I've been saying it for ages, face-to-face therapy isn't the only way to get help 🤗. Like, who needs a doctor's office or a therapist's couch when you can just type out your feelings on a screen? And honestly, it makes total sense that texting with a therapist could be just as effective as video calls. I mean, think about it, people are always glued to their screens anyway 😂. Plus, like the study said, it's way less likely to drop out of treatment when you can do it from the comfort of your own home 🏠. Now we just need to get more insurance companies on board and make this a thing 💸.
 
🤯 can you imagine having a therapist in your pocket? it's crazy how texting is now being used as a legit treatment option! i mean, who needs video calls when you can just shoot off a quick email or message? 😂 but seriously, this is awesome news for people who don't have access to traditional therapy. like, if you're stuck in a bad situation and can't get out of it, being able to talk to someone who's got your back 24/7 would be a total game changer 🤝
 
I THINK THIS IS AWESOME!!! 🤩 TEXTING WITH A THERAPIST CAN BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS VIDEO SESSIONS FOR MILD DEPRESSION! IT'S LIKE, WE'VE BEEN TOLD TO GO TO THE OFFICE TO SEE OUR DOCTOR OR THERAPIST AND NOW WE CAN JUST SEND THEM A MESSAGE 😂. THIS IS HUGE FOR PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH ANXIETY, depression, or social anxiety. IT'S NOT PERFECT BUT I GUESS IT COULD BE A GOOD STARTING POINT? 🤔 THE FACT THAT IT'S LESS LIKELY TO MAKE PEOPLE DROP OUT OF TREATMENT IS REALLY COOL TOO! 📈
 
🤔 I'm not surprised about this study, tbh. I mean, think about it - we're always connected to our phones anyway, so why not use that to your advantage? 📱💻 It makes total sense that texting with a therapist could work just as well as video sessions. Plus, it's way more convenient for people who have busy schedules or live in areas where access to therapy is limited.

I also think it's cool that this study found patients were less likely to drop out of treatment when texting with their therapist. That's like, a major win for mental health! 🎉 And yeah, maybe video sessions are better for complex cases, but what about those people who just need someone to talk to? 🤗

The only thing I'm worried about is that some people might think this means you can just text your therapist whenever you feel like it. Like, nope - there's gotta be boundaries and stuff 😂. But overall, I'm here for this breakthrough! It's all about making mental health more accessible and convenient. 💯
 
I gotta say, this is a game changer 😊. Think about it, mental health treatment doesn't have to be all face-to-face. I mean, some people are more introverted or just not comfortable in those settings. Texting with a therapist is like a breath of fresh air. It's like, finally, we're acknowledging that everyone's different and what works for one person might not work for another. And yeah, the drop-out rate was way lower with texting too 🤝. Of course, it's not a replacement for video sessions or in-person therapy but this is a huge step forward. I'm all about exploring new options to make mental health treatment more accessible and flexible for everyone 💡
 
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