Call me maybe? In-person vs. teletherapy outcomes among married couples

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of teletherapy compared to in-person couple therapy in outcomes such as couple satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and the therapeutic alliance.

Method: Data from 1157 married clients seeking couple therapy were examined. Individual growth curve models were used to analyze changes in the aforementioned outcomes, with teletherapy as a predictor. The study also examined client age and clinic type as moderators.

Results: The results indicated that overall, teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy in improving outcomes. However, there were notable differences in the development of the therapeutic alliance. The alliance improved at twice the rate in in-person therapy as in teletherapy. Clinic type was also found to be a moderator of changes in sexual satisfaction. Clients in group and private practices reported improvements in sexual satisfaction; whereas clients seen in training clinics reported decreases in sexual satisfaction.

Conclusion: The study concludes that although teletherapy may be a viable alternative to in-person couple therapy, there are nevertheless differences in the development of the therapeutic alliance that warrant care and further investigation. The setting of the therapy also plays a role in the effectiveness of therapy, although not specific to therapy modality.

Keywords:

• teletherapy
• couple therapy
• therapeutic alliance
• sexual satisfaction
• couple satisfaction

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Family Studies Center, School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.