Is Online Therapy Effective?
Online therapy—also known as telehealth or video-based psychotherapy—has been rigorously evaluated in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses totaling tens of thousands of participants.
Extensive research involving thousands of clients and therapists (summarised below) shows that online therapy produces comparable outcomes to in-person therapy across a wide range of psychological conditions, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use, with many people also reporting greater convenience.
Initially introduced to improve access for Australians in rural and remote areas, telehealth expanded nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Major institutions such as Medicare, private health insurers, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) all formally recognise and fund telehealth services.
Telehealth is effective which is why it is now a permanent part of Australia’s mental health system.
Institutional Acceptance & Funding
Telehealth is recognized and subsidized by significant institutions in Australia, including:
- Medicare’s Better Access scheme
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- Private Health Insurers
Research on Telehealth Effectiveness
- A major 2020 study of 4,336 therapy participants found no difference in treatment outcomes between video-based and in-person sessions across diverse psychological issues.
- An extensive 2021 systematic review of meta-analyses, covering over 900 primary studies involving tens of thousands of patients, found that telehealth is clinically equivalent to in-person therapy across multiple psychological conditions, including depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and substance use.
- A recent 2024 umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis (synthesising 191 systematic reviews and 72 meta-analyses) found strong evidence that telehealth is as effective as traditional face-to-face care for common mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety in adults.
Effectiveness of Telehealth extends to many populations:
- Reviews in high-impact journals (such as The BMJ and JAMA Network Open), affirm short-term telehealth effectiveness globally, noting strong patient satisfaction and growing acceptance.
- Telephone-delivered therapy for depression and anxiety (Haregu et al., 2015)
- Group-based telehealth interventions for trauma survivors (Greenwood et al., 2022)
- Children and adolescents, show similar effectiveness (Linda Fischer-Groterce et al., 2024)
Most Important Factor: Therapeutic Alliance & Engagement
Decades of research show that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client—known as the ‘Therapeutic Alliance’—is one of the most important factors in whether therapy is effective.
- A comprehensive meta-analysis involving over 30,000 individuals confirms this crucial relationship remains equally strong in telehealth.
- Additionally, telehealth is associated with greater mental health care utilization and reduced dropout rates compared to in-person sessions.
In other words, its not the type of therapy or how it’s delivered that matters most, but the strength of the relationship with your therapist—and your willingness to show up and engage in the work. This reflects the findings of my PhD research on therapy processes and outcomes.
To read more about building a strong therapeutic alliance and getting the most out of therapy, see the following resource:
How to Get The Most Out of Therapy
Are you new to therapy? Working with a psychologist is very different to visiting a doctor. Learn about what to expect and how you can get the most out your therapy experience, here.
Trauma & Telehealth: What the Research Says
EMDR Therapy is a structured, evidence-based therapy designed to help people process and recover from traumatic experiences, distressing memories, and symptoms of PTSD. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a surge in clinical research comparing EMDR Therapy delivered via telehealth to traditional in-person formats.
Across dozens of peer-reviewed studies, the conclusion is clear: EMDR Therapy is just as effective when delivered online including for treating trauma-related conditions. These outcomes are supported by randomized controlled trials, therapist evaluations, and patient-reported results.
You can access this large (and growing) list of peer-reviewed studies in the research section of the EMDR Therapy information page.
Benefits Reported by Clients
People frequently highlight greater choice in who they work with, along with convenience, as key benefits of online therapy:
- Access high-quality psychological care from anywhere in Australia.
- No commute required, so you have greater flexibility and convenience.
- Receive Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per year with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan.
- Work with Andreas online no matter where you are in Australia.
Book a Free 15-min Call
If you would like to learn more about telehealth, or are curious whether we may be a good fit to work together, please contact me below to arrange a complimentary 15-minute obligation-free phone call. This is also a chance to share your goals and explore how therapy may support you in achieving them.
Ready to Take the Next Step ?
Andreas is currently accepting new clients for online therapy.
Get in touch to discuss your goals.
Andreas will respond personally and guide you through the next steps.
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