The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an upsurge in online counselling, as well as research into its effectiveness. A study published in BMC Psychiatry in 2022 compared online and face-to-face psychodynamic counselling intervention for university students. The researchers, led by Elena Ierardi of the University of Milano, concluded that “The online counselling intervention was almost as effective as a face-to-face counselling intervention concerning psychological distress; it was not effective in increasing life satisfaction.” So, just like the move back to face-to-face office work and in-person meetings, there is apparently some value in breathing the same air as your counsellor.
