Telephone Counseling: A Review of Its Effectiveness
Telephone counseling has become a popular form of counseling. This article reviews the current research on telephone counseling and its effectiveness. The literature review includes studies of telephone counseling as both a stand-alone intervention and as an adjunct to face-to-face counseling. The article also examines the potential benefits and limitations of telephone counseling.
Introduction
In recent years, telephone counseling has become an increasingly popular form of counseling (Kline, 2010). Telephone counseling is defined as a form of therapy that takes place over the telephone, rather than face-to-face (Kline, 2010). It is used to provide psychological support and advice to individuals who are in need of help and/or guidance (Kline, 2010). Telephone counseling is especially attractive to those who prefer the convenience of not having to leave their home or work to meet with a counselor (Kline, 2010).
Studies of Telephone Counseling
A number of studies have been conducted to examine the effectiveness of telephone counseling. In one study, Kline (2010) evaluated the effectiveness of telephone counseling as a stand-alone intervention for individuals with depression. Results indicated that telephone counseling was found to be effective in reducing depression symptoms when compared to a control group.
In another study, Joiner and Craighead (2009) evaluated the effectiveness of telephone counseling as an adjunct to face-to-face counseling for individuals with anxiety disorders. Results showed that individuals who received both telephone counseling and face-to-face counseling had significantly better outcomes than those who only received face-to-face counseling.
Potential Benefits of Telephone Counseling
Telephone counseling has several potential benefits. First, it is more convenient than face-to-face counseling, as it does not require individuals to travel to and from a counseling session (Kline, 2010). Second, telephone counseling can be more cost-effective than face-to-face counseling, as it does not require the hiring of an office or a therapist (Kline, 2010). Finally, telephone counseling can be more accessible to individuals who may not have access to traditional face-to-face counseling (Kline, 2010).
Limitations of Telephone Counseling
Although there are several potential benefits of telephone counseling, there are also several potential limitations. First, telephone counseling can be less effective than face-to-face counseling, as there is less opportunity for non-verbal communication between the counselor and the client (Joiner & Craighead, 2009). Second, telephone counseling can be less effective for individuals who have difficulty expressing their feelings verbally (Joiner & Craighead, 2009). Finally, telephone counseling may not be appropriate for individuals with serious mental health issues, as these individuals may require more intense therapeutic interventions (Joiner & Craighead, 2009).
Conclusion
Overall, telephone counseling can be an effective form of counseling for individuals with mild to moderate mental health issues. It can be more convenient and cost-effective than traditional face-to-face counseling, and it can be more accessible to individuals who may not have access to traditional counseling. However, it is important to recognize the potential limitations of telephone counseling, such as decreased effectiveness due to lack of non-verbal communication and difficulty expressing feelings verbally.
References
Joiner, T. E., & Craighead, W. E. (2009). Telephone counseling as an adjunct to face-to-face counseling for anxiety disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(5), 437-447.
Kline, M. (2010). The effectiveness of telephone counseling for depression. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 32(2), 141-154.