Why counseling and therapy by phone?
I have been utilizing telephone counseling for over a decade, even when I had a brick and mortar office. Due to circumstances in some patients' and clients' lives (no car, long distance, unexpected work or family issues, broken leg, etc.), we utilized the telephone for our sessions. I consistently found it to be extremely effective. In fact, when I relocated to a ranch in the foothills of California, most of my "city" clients chose to continue our sessions by phone.
At first they were not sure if they would like it. In fact, what I noticed was that even more intimate details of their lives came out, things they may have been embarrassed to speak of in person. This includes sexual issues, in particular. After a few sessions they began loving the freedom, flexibility and intimacy our phone sessions allowed them.
I now have clients who are from all reaches of California, from the Bay area to Central Calif., and from Los Angeles and Riverside areas to San Diego county. I feel honored that people from afar have placed their trust in me. Most I have never met in person and yet we have a great rapport and work together as a team.
I notice that the focus is very intent on the phone. We get a lot of work done in a short amount of time. I can hear even the slightest of changes in voice, breathing and inflection. I find I do not need to see someone to feel strong empathy for them. Plus, they seem to share very intimate details within a short time. We progress more quickly than even with a face to face session. There are virtually no distractions during our sessions (unless we possibly get a cell phone disconnection. I use a hard line whenever possible to lesson that possibility from my end).
The flexibility of using the phone cannot be discounted. I am able to have sessions at more unusual hours and on shorter notice by using the phone. My clients and patients feel more freedom and more in control of their lives. One of them does her jogging first and then calls me from her home instead of what would have been a 45 minute drive each way to my office (before I moved to the foothills). Another calls from her parking lot at work. Still another goes to a beautiful park to have her sessions. Elderly and ailing people do not need to drive the distances to an office.
Phone sessions are more private. Some of my clients used to feel kind of uncomfortable sitting with others in the "Psychology Office Suite" where I used to have my office. Now, they choose where they are during their sessions.
Scientific studies as to the effectiveness of telephone counseling
There have been quite a few studies done on the effectiveness of telephone counseling. I have several and will post them here as I am able:
The first one I find interesting is found at the American Psychological Association website. There was a study reported in the April 2002 Journal of Counseling Psychology (Vol. 49, No.2) that showed that "telephone counseling appears to be an effective psychological practice". After a counseling agency offered phone counseling sessions, the clients were sent the Consumer Reports annual questionnaire. Sixty-eight percent reported feeling "very or completely satisfied with the telephone counseling".
The final paragraph in the American Psychological Association article stated, "In contrast to face-to-face counseling, telephone counseling is convenient and less expensive -- if provided in a format similar to this study's-- and the anonymity of the service may provide clients with a greater sense of control, the authors note. For people who do not have access to affordable mental health care, telephone counseling may be a viable option, they add. The authors also point out that without an office, clothes and physical appearance to potentially distract them, clients being counseled via phone may be inclined to focus better on what the therapist says."
I have found that to be true in my telephone sessions. I believe that the sometimes long-term time spent in the therapy process can be lessened with the use of the telephone. It can also save time and money for the patient and client. I truly see this as the way of the future, what with the cost of gas, and the need to keep one's overhead expenses low so that more people can utilize counseling in these changing and uncertain times.
Another study:
In 2008 a study was published in Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, which showed the benefits of telephone counseling: The Effects of Telephone-Administered Psychotherapy on Symptoms of Depression and Attrition: A Meta Analysis by Mohr, Vella, Hart, Heckman & Simon.
