A new study suggests that people with depression can benefit just as much from text-based therapy as they can from traditional video therapy sessions.
The research, published in JAMA Network Open, compared the experiences of 850 adults who received treatment for depression through an online mental health platform called Talkspace.
The participants were split into two groups. One group received weekly video sessions with a therapist, while the other group communicated only through text messages. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. If someone wasn’t getting better after six weeks, they were given a mix of both video and text therapy.
At the end of the study, both groups showed similar improvements in their depression symptoms and in how well they functioned in daily life. This means that sending messages to a therapist can be just as effective as speaking face-to-face over video.
Dr. Patricia Areán, a senior author of the study and retired professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said the results support using text-based therapy to treat the millions of people who suffer from depression each year.
She explained that the two types of therapy led to similar progress, showing that messaging with a therapist can be a reliable option.
The study also found that people using video sessions were slightly more likely to stop treatment early. In contrast, those using messaging seemed to stick with the program more often. One reason may be that messaging offers more flexibility.
Patients can send and receive messages on their own time, which might make it easier for them to stay connected with their therapist.
Dr. Michael Pullmann, the lead author of the study, emphasized how important this kind of therapy could be for making mental health treatment more accessible. He noted that depression is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide, and many people who need help still can’t access it.
Text-based therapy could be a solution, especially for people who have busy schedules, limited transportation, or anxiety about video calls.
Pullmann, now a senior program officer in Washington, D.C., said the study shows how new forms of therapy can reach more people in need. The researchers also pointed out that health insurance companies should consider covering text-based therapy. This could help reduce barriers to care and give more people the support they need.
In conclusion, this study shows that message-based therapy is not just a second-best option—it’s a real, evidence-based way to treat depression. It offers hope to people who might otherwise go untreated and could reshape how mental health care is delivered in the future.
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The study is published in JAMA Network Open.
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