A study of more than 400 depressed individuals has found telepsychotherapy, counseling by qualified clinical professionals given over the phone, to have long-lasting positive effects. Seventy-seven percent of individuals who were given both antidepressants and eight initial sessions of phone-based psychotherapy followed by occasional boosters reported that their symptoms were "much" or "very much" improved 18 months later, compared to just 63 percent of patients who received medication alone.
However, given recent studies showing physological concordinance is enhanced by face-to-face interaction between therapists and client, those seeking the most effective therapy may not want to settle just yet.