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

New Study Reveals Texting Therapy Can Be Just as Effective as Video Sessions for Mild Depression

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has found that texting with a therapist can provide similar benefits to video sessions for individuals with mild depression. Researchers at the University of Washington divided 850 people into two groups and randomly assigned them to either receive unlimited communication with a therapist via text or email or participate in video therapy through Talkspace.

The study revealed that patients in both groups experienced comparable alleviation of depressive symptoms, as well as improvements in social interactions and daily functions. The results suggest that texting-based therapy can be just as effective as weekly therapy sessions, according to co-author Patricia A. Areán. "We found that patients improved at similar rates, regardless of whether they were communicating with their therapist through messaging or live video calls," she said.

Interestingly, the study discovered that people who received text-based therapy were more likely to drop out earlier than those in the video therapy group. Conversely, therapists and patients developed stronger relationships in video sessions, also known as a "greater therapeutic alliance." However, experts noted that the study did not include individuals at high risk of severe mental health issues, such as suicidal thoughts or psychosis.

The findings support the expansion of therapy services via email and text messaging, as well as insurance coverage for these types of interventions. While some professionals caution that this type of treatment may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with more severe forms of depression, it could serve as a viable option for individuals with mild symptoms or as an initial step towards further treatment.

According to Areán, "text-based therapy can be a valuable tool in addressing the mental health needs of millions of Americans." With its potential benefits and limitations, this new study sheds light on the growing importance of innovative approaches to treating depression.

I mean, think about it, texting with a therapist is way more convenient than sitting in front of a computer screen for a video call . And if it's working just as well for mild depression, that's a game changer right? But on the other hand, I can see how the lack of face-to-face interaction might make it harder to build that strong therapeutic alliance with your therapist . Plus, what about people who need more intense support? Maybe we should be looking at a combination of both text and video therapy ?

I think it's pretty cool that texting therapy is now being recognized as just as effective as video sessions for mild depression . I mean, who doesn't love having more options when it comes to mental health support? And yeah, the fact that therapists and patients can build stronger relationships in video sessions is a win . But at the same time, it's good to know that texting therapy isn't a one-size-fits-all solution and shouldn't be replaced for everyone . I'd love to see more research on how this type of treatment can be adapted for people with severe depression too .

I'm loving this news ! I've always thought that technology should be used more in therapy, you know? It's crazy how much texting can actually work for people with mild depression . And I think it's awesome that therapists are starting to recognize the value of using email and messaging apps to connect with clients who might not have access to regular sessions or who prefer a more flexible approach.

It's also interesting that the study showed some differences between video and text-based therapy, like how people who did texting had to be a bit more self-motivated (imo). But overall, it just goes to show that everyone is unique, and what works for one person might not work for another.

Mmm, I'm thinking... if texting therapy can work just as well for people with mild depression, it's like how we use our phones to cope with stress in a weird way already... but instead of just scrolling through memes, we're using it to talk to someone who actually cares . It's about accessibility and flexibility, you know? For some people, video sessions might be too intense or inconvenient, so this could be a game-changer for them. But at the same time, I wonder if we're just treating symptoms instead of going deeper into our issues... like, what are we really trying to achieve with therapy anyway? Is it just about feeling better in the moment, or is it about finding meaning and purpose?

Yaaas, this is such great news ! I'm all about exploring new ways to make therapy more accessible, especially for people who might not be able to afford or find a therapist in person. Texting therapy seems like it could be a total game-changer for anyone with mild depression, and the fact that it can provide similar benefits to video sessions is just amazing .

I'm also loving how this study shows that therapy isn't just about the sessions themselves, but about building relationships between therapist and patient. Those strong therapeutic alliances can make all the difference in helping people get better . Of course, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution, but I think this is a huge step forward for mental health treatment . Can't wait to see more research on this topic and hopefully more people will be able to benefit from these innovative approaches

omg i no why textin with a therapist cant b 2 effective lol just kiddin but seriously wut ppl dont get abt therpy its not 4 everybodi i mean its rly cool dat texting can b as effective 2 video sesssionz, esp 4 mild depression tho the fact that peeps in the text group dropped out faster is kinda weird...guess its bcos u cant have thos deep convos anywayz, i guess this study does show dat therpy can b done in diff ways & w/o breakin th bank

gotta say, I'm not surprised by these results at all. I've been reading online therapy forums and groups for ages now, and it's always been about finding ways to make mental health treatment more accessible and convenient for people. Like, who needs a traditional therapist's office when you can just send 'em a text or video chat, right?

i gotta say, i'm loving this development! having more options for people with mild depression is super important. and it's awesome that texting therapy can provide similar benefits to video sessions. no need to worry about location or time constraints anymore . but honestly, i think the key here is accessibility. everyone should have access to mental health resources, regardless of their income or where they live . maybe this new study will pave the way for more affordable therapy options? that would be a game-changer!

Ugh people r strugglin with depression n anxiety rn & it's like therapists r overwhelmed but idk wut's up wit textin therapy... apparently it works 4 mild cases tho so yeah, u can just txt ur therapist instead of meetin in person n stuff but lol ther's a catch - ppl who do textin therapy r more likely 2 quit & therapists n patients form stronger bonds over video calls... weird

OMG, I'm so stoked about this new study ! I mean, who wouldn't want to talk to a therapist from the comfort of their own home via text ? It's like, super convenient and accessible . And the fact that it can be just as effective as video sessions is like, totally mind-blowing . I've tried online therapy before and it was okay, but this sounds so much more chill . Plus, it's great that therapists and patients can develop stronger relationships in video sessions . Can we talk about how cool it would be to have a therapist who just gets you, you know? It's like, mental health should be all about vibes, not just medication or hospital visits . Anyways, this study is like, totally on point and I'm so here for the expansion of therapy services via email and text messaging!

I'm kinda surprised they found texting therapy to be just as effective as video sessions... I mean, doesn't it seem like you'd miss out on some important nonverbal cues or something? But at the same time, I guess technology's come a long way and people can still have pretty deep conversations over text . And yeah, it's cool that more therapy options are becoming available... but don't we need to make sure everyone has access to these services, regardless of where they live or what their insurance is like?

So like, I was reading about this new study and it's kinda mind-blowing that texting therapy can be just as effective as video sessions for mild depression ? I mean, who doesn't love the idea of just sending a text to talk to someone instead of having to sit in a therapist's office all week ?

But at the same time, it's also kinda weird that people who got texting therapy were more likely to drop out early . Like, isn't the point of therapy to help you work through your stuff? Anyway, I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but I guess it's definitely an interesting option for people with mild depression .

And can we talk about how cool it would be to have more therapy options available ? Like, being able to just send a text and get some help whenever you need it... that's like, the ultimate convenience .

I mean, it's about time we cracked the code on mental health resources. This study shows that technology isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather an opportunity for people to access help in ways that work for them . The fact that texting therapy can be just as effective as video sessions is huge news – it's not about the medium, it's about the message . And I'm all for making therapy more accessible to everyone, especially those who might feel too anxious or self-conscious to meet in person .

I think it's really exciting that we're seeing more research into alternative forms of therapy like texting-based treatment for mild depression . It makes total sense that technology can be used to provide accessible mental health support, especially for those who struggle with traditional in-person sessions or have busy schedules. The fact that patients in both groups showed similar improvements in depressive symptoms and social interactions is a huge win . Of course, it's also worth noting that the study highlights some limitations, like people being more likely to drop out of text-based therapy early on . But overall, I think this study shows tremendous potential for innovative approaches to mental health treatment, and I'm excited to see where this research takes us next .

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." – Theodore Roosevelt

People with mild depression often struggle to take that first step towards seeking help. This study shows that texting therapy can be a great starting point, especially for those who are introverted or have busy schedules. It's amazing how technology can bridge the gap between us and mental health professionals!

I mean, who wouldn't want to talk to a therapist through text message? Like, it's not like you're getting an actual human interaction or anything . But seriously, I'm glad we have more options for people with mild depression. I've got a friend who's always stressed about work and stuff, maybe this could be the thing to help them chill out a bit. It's weird that texting sessions were less popular because it meant therapists had to put in less effort, though . And yeah, insurance coverage is a big deal – I hope more people get access to these services, even if it's just as a supplement to traditional therapy .

I think it's awesome that we're seeing more options for people with mild depression. I mean, not everyone can or wants to do video sessions, you know? Texting therapy is a great alternative and I'm glad that research is showing it can be just as effective! But at the same time, I worry about those who are struggling with more severe forms of depression. We need to make sure we're not leaving anyone behind here.

It's also interesting that people in the text-based group were more likely to drop out, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing for them. Maybe they just needed something different or didn't feel as connected to their therapist? Either way, I think this study is super important and could lead to some amazing changes in how we approach mental health care.

I'm also loving the fact that this could make therapy more accessible to millions of Americans! We need more options for people who can't afford or don't have access to traditional therapy. This feels like a real game-changer and I'm excited to see where it goes from here.

I THINK THIS IS SO COOL!!! TEXTING THERAPY IS FINALLY GETTING THE RECOGNITION IT DESERVES!!!! I MEAN, WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO TALK TO THEIR THERAPIST FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOME???? I FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WITH BUSY LIVES OR THOSE WHO JUST DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IN-PERSON THERAPY Sessions!!! IT'S ABOUT TIME WE STARTED THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX WHEN IT COMES TO TREATMENT OPTIONS!!!! I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS CHANGE BRING MORE PEOPLE INTO THERAPY AND HELP THEM GET THE HELP THEY NEED!!!!!