
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash 9.10.2020
How effective is online therapy?
As an online counselor based in Katy, Texas, people often ask “is online counseling effective?” The short answer is yes, most of the time. In many cases online counseling can be just as effective as in person counseling. While there are a few exceptions, the majority of people can benefit from therapy delivered via telehealth.
Studies of online counseling consistently find that online treatment can be just as effective as in person therapy. The Journal of Anxiety Disorders published a study in 2018 that found time and time again, computer based cognitive behavioral therapy was as effective as in person counseling to treat generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. A study published in 2014 in Behaviour Research and Therapy found benefits gained from online therapy were maintained at a 1 year follow up.
There are some factors to consider in deciding how effective online counseling may be to address your concerns.
Factors that may influence how effective remote counseling is include:
- The quality of the relationship with your counselor. One of the single biggest indicators in achieving the goals a person has in counseling, is their belief that their counselor can help them.
- Your counselor’s ability to help you identify obstacles or problematic thought patterns, getting in the way of you achieving your goals, and come up with ways of overcoming or changing them.
- In the cases where overcoming certain obstacles or changing circumstances is not within your control, a good counselor should be able to help you learn new coping skills and strategies to better manage distress.
- Your willingness to be open, honest and vulnerable with your counselor and reflective about your life and circumstances will influence how effective counseling can be at helping you meet your goals.
Online therapy offers many benefits, including some that you just can’t achieve using traditional in person counseling.
Some of the benefits of Teletherapy include:
- Being able to see a counselor who lives outside of your city. In most states counselors provide therapy to clients living anywhere within the state they are licensed in.
- More access to therapy for people who live in rural areas where there may not be many counselors.
- You can participate in your online counseling sessions from home since you can log into a session from almost anywhere.
- You may not have to find childcare for your sessions.
- Your health insurance or Health Savings Account may cover all or part of your online counseling cost.
Does online counseling work?
There is plenty of evidence to suggest online counseling is as effective as in person counseling. However whether or not online counseling will work for you is a personal decision. When asking, “will online therapy work for me?” consider your individual circumstances, preferences and goals for counseling. There’s no one right way to get counseling. If you don’t like the idea of it or don’t think it will help you, then finding an in person counselor may be the best option. However if you’re open to trying new things, have a basic comfort level with technology and are ready to try online therapy, then consider getting started.
When doesn’t online counseling work?
There are a few cases where teletherapy may not be the best option. Some of those may include:
- Active suicidal or homicidal thoughts may require assessment through in person counseling
- Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or disorganized speech or thought patterns may benefit from in person treatment
- On-going and severe substance use may require in person assessment and treatment.
Read more about online therapy in Texas
5 Things to Avoid in Online Therapy
7 Surprising Benefits of Online Counseling
Let’s Talk: How Online Counseling in Texas can Work for You

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash 9.10.2020
Looking for an Online Counselor in Texas?
Anne Russey Counseling is an online counseling practice based in the West Houston suburb of Katy, Texas. Anne is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in postpartum anxiety treatment,postpartum depression treatment, counseling for anxiety, counseling for moms and LGBT affirming counselingfor adults. She provides telehealth counseling throughout the entire state of Texas including Houston, Katy, Georgetown, Midland, Odessa, New Braunfels, Lubbock, Plano, Waco, College Station and everywhere in between.
Contact Anne to request a free 10 minute consultation or to book your first online counseling appointment now.