Over the last decade several prominent research studies have cited the efficacy, potential, and success of online therapeutic conversation.

In 2020 in the first randomized controlled trial of its kind, a research team investigated the impact of a texting intervention as an add-on to a mental health treatment program versus one without texting. The findings revealed improvement in those who utilized the text messaging-based intervention in addition to receiving therapeutic care. 94% of participants indicated that the texting intervention made them feel better and 87% said they would recommend it to a friend.^[1]

Two 2013 studies, one from the University of Zurich published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, and another published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Networking, found that text therapy can be just as effective, if not more effective, than “in person” therapy.^[2,3]

Further, with the COVID-19 pandemic, many people’s schedules have been upended, which may prevent individuals with mental health needs from having routine access to a therapist, such as parents who have children at home. 
“Texting can help bridge this gap, by providing a means for mental health services to be continuously delivered. A text-messaging psychotherapy is an excellent match for the current environment, as it provides asynchronous contact with a mental health therapist while increasing the amount of contact that an individual can have.” ^[4]

I liken the use of #lifelines as one element of an integrated holistic treatment modality. While I will always provide you with curated solutions and thoughtful direction based upon the unique needs and circumstances of your situation, in some cases and certainly if you are facing serious life issues, I will recommend that we include another form of therapeutic contact such as a phone or video call.

References:

^{1.  Dror Ben-Zeev, Ph.D., Benjamin Buck, Ph.D., Suzanne Meller , M.P.H., M.S.W., William J. Hudenko, Ph.D., Kevin A. Hallgren, Ph.D. (July 7, 2020). Augmenting Evidence-Based Care With a Texting Mobile Interventionist: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.  Psychiatry Online.  Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000239}

^{2.  University of Zurich. (July 30, 2013). Psychotherapy via internet as good as if not better than face-to-face consultations.  Science Daily.  Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130730091255.htm}

^{3.  Birgit Wagner, Andrea B Horn, Andreas Maercker. (July 23, 2013). Internet-based versus face-to-face cognitive-behavioral intervention for depression: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial. PubMed.org  Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23886401/}

^{4.  Dartmouth College (July 28, 2020). Text messaging: The next gen of therapy in mental health. A psychotherapy tool in real-time that enhances care. Science Daily.  Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200728155457.htm}