Effectiveness of youth psychotherapy delivered remotely: A meta-analysis.

Abstract

Reports on remote psychotherapies for youth (e.g., technology-based treatment) suggest it is acceptable, feasible, and useful in overcoming logistical barriers to treatment. But how effective is remote care? To find out, PsycINFO and PubMed were searched from 1960 through 2020, supplemented by journal searches and reference trails, to identify randomized controlled trials of youth psychotherapy for anxiety (including obsessive–compulsive disorder and trauma), depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or conduct problems, in which all therapeutic contact occurred remotely. Articles (N = 37) published from 1988 through 2020, reporting 43 treatment-control group comparisons, were identified. Robust variance estimation was used to account for effect size dependencies and to synthesize overall effects and test candidate moderators. Pooled effect size was .47 (95% confidence interval [CI: .26, .67], p < .001) at posttreatment, .44 (95% CI [.12, .76], p < .05) at follow-up—comparable to effects reported in meta-analyses of in-person youth psychotherapy. Effects were significantly (a) larger for remote psychotherapies supported by therapeutic provider contact (.64) than for those accessed by youths, with only logistical support (.22), (b) larger for treatments with phone contact (.65) than for those without (.25), (c) larger for treatment of anxiety (.62) and conduct problems (.78) than ADHD (–.03), and (d) smaller for therapies involving attention/working memory training (–.18) than for those without (.60). Among studies with therapeutic contact, effects were significantly larger when therapists facilitated skill-building (e.g., practicing exposures or problem solving [.68]) than when therapists did not (.18). These findings support the effectiveness of remote psychotherapies for youths, and they highlight moderators of treatment benefit that warrant attention in future research.

Dance Movement Therapy with Children: Practical Aspects of Remote Group Work

“…The factors that support the success of the therapy are defining a therapeutic contract and managing setting and process, as well as creative thinking and support from colleagues and supervisors [ 24 ]. These findings reinforce insights which emerge from case studies in the field [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ] and reviews of therapists’ experience around the world [ 25 ].…”

“…A study involving 28 children and adolescents found that remote CBT is just as, and sometimes even more effective, than face-to-face CBT therapy in reducing symptoms of depression [ 18 ]. Additionally, numerous studies describe achievements in remote psychotherapy of children and adolescents with depression [ 19 ] and anxiety [ 20 ] and various other conditions [ 21 ].…”

Expanding the reach of psychosocial services for youth: Untapped potential of mentor‐delivered single session interventions

“…This approach could connect youth to available resources, and perhaps match mentees with specific SSIs that would confer benefits to them (i.e., maximize the fit between mentees' needs and the services they receive). Furthermore, in professional treatment contexts, youths reap more benefit from digital and remote psychotherapies that are supported by providers than from those that lack interpersonal contact (Venturo-Conerly et al, 2022).…”

Brief Digital Interventions: An Implementation-Sensitive Approach to Addressing School Mental Health Needs of Youth with Mild and Emerging Mental Health Difficulties

“…Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) utilizes digital devices to provide psychotherapy to clients. While interventions delivered remotely are as effective as those delivered in person, it is noteworthy that the presence of synchronous contact was a significant moderator in therapy outcome (Venturo-Conerly et al, 2021). The level of clinician support, duration, and program elements typically vary by iCBT program; however, as a general rule, most iCBT interventions primarily involve self-directed training in core CBT principles and skills.…”