Text Therapy vs. Traditional Face-to-Face Therapy

This video compares text therapy with traditional face-to-face therapy. The idea of written communication and its relationship with therapy is not new, and the idea of specifically using texting isn't new. When comparing text only therapy or the text therapy portion of this online therapy to traditional face-to-face therapy, it's important to recognize a lot of these companies do use licensed therapists and I think this idea was designed with the best intentions in mind. Taking a look at the pros of text therapy, one of the key advantages as I understand it, would be convenience. Text therapy could reach people who otherwise would not engage in mental health treatment. As far as some of the disadvantages, I have a number of concerns about this particular modality. The first is the potential that it could actually delay treatment. Another disadvantage here with text therapy is we don't know how effective it is or isn't. We know that the therapeutic relationship, at least the part that could develop from a face-to-face encounter, is removed from text-only therapy. We also know the therapeutic relationship tends to predict a lot of success in therapy. Another disadvantage and concern with text therapy is the idea of how we manage risk and safety concerns, especially if a client is anonymous. A lot of times with these text therapy services the client is anonymous.
A reasonable interpretation of the evidence we have available right now suggests that the effectiveness of text therapy has not been established. We don't know if text therapy is as effective as traditional therapy or as effective as no treatment at all.
What do I think of text therapy at this moment? I see it as supplemental. I think in certain situations it works well to supplement other face-to-face traditional modalities, where it's legal, ethical, and appropriate to do so. I don't think it's really standalone modality. I like the integration of technology and mental health treatment and I like that this modality was developed with good intentions. I don't text therapy as a substitute for traditional face-to-face therapy. rather I view it as a separate product. We simply need more research about how effective it is as well as a number of the other concerns that I have and other people have with text therapy. I think that when evaluating the evidence regarding text therapy, it is appropriate to be cautious.