12-Jun-12 9:00 AM CST

New Treatments in Depression: Therapy By Phone

There are new treatments coming out everyday to treat the ongoing problem of depression. Therapy by phone, a fairly new treatment process, has proved useful in combating depression as compared to in person sessions. However, the telephone treatment appears to take longer than face-to-face therapy according to new studies. In addition, patients sometimes have a tendency to stop face to face counseling sessions due to the following reasons:

1. Time. Time constraints are a big factor when it comes to following through with in person talk sessions. Individuals may feel they do not have time to attend sessions, but in actuality, they need to remember to put themselves first. Mental health is just as important as physical health.

2. Transportation. Due to issues like the high cost of gas, not having a car or unreliable public transportation it can sometimes be hard to attend regular appointments.

3. Cost. The cost of mental health services is astronomical at times. Finding an affordable AND qualified therapist can be a challenge. This can often lead to noncompliance.

4. Insurance issues. There are many people that continue to be uninsured. Due to the high cost of treatment and the fact that many therapists do not take insurance can also lead to even more noncompliance.

According to the June 6^th issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, roughly 25% of all primary care visits involve patients with clinically significant levels of depression. The authors also concluded that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) via phone can overcome barriers to adhering to face-to-face treatment.

Sources:

1. Fiore, Kristina. “Therapy by Phone Good against Depression.” MedPage Today. Web. 5 June 2012.

2. Mohr, David C, PhD. “Effect of Telephone-Administered vs. Face-to-Face Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Adherence to Therapy and Depression Outcomes among Primary Care Patients.” JAMA. 6 June 2012. Vol. 307, No 21.