08/18/2026
đ§Recent research suggests that online therapy is not generally less effective than in-person therapy. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 54 randomized controlled trials (5,463 participants) found little to no difference in effectiveness between therapist-guided remote and in-person CBT.
Similarly, a 2021 meta-analysis of 47 studies found that video-based psychotherapy had a negligible difference in outcomes compared with in-person psychotherapy.
However, this doesnât mean online therapy is best for everyone. Accessibility, individual preferences, the type of therapy, and the techniques being used can all matter. Online therapy may make treatment easier to access, while some people or therapeutic approaches may benefit from in-person interaction.
Bottom line: Neither format is universally better the most appropriate option depends on the person, treatment, and circumstances.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33826190/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38499303/
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