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Technology-facilitated delivery of psychotherapy (e.g., via telephone, computer, or web) has been shown to be effective and may be cheaper, more convenient, and more conducive to self-disclosure than in-person therapy. This randomized, controlled trial examined the effectiveness of using instant messaging to deliver real-time, online, individual cognitive-behavioral therapy in 297 patients with new depression episodes (standardized diagnosis, plus Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] of >14) from 55 U.K. general practices. Study arms were usual care plus CBT (10 sessions during 16 weeks) or usual care plus waiting list. Most participants had a comorbid anxiety disorder; 52% had started antidepressants. Eighteen therapists provided CBT.
Among 210 …