A study has concluded that being in regular email contact with a shrink does as much good for sufferers of anxiety disorders as face-to-face sessions:
Preliminary results, based on more than two years of research, showed that internet therapy was comparable with face-to-face treatment in reducing disturbing thoughts and improving stress and anxiety.
When undertaking internet-based therapy, sufferers of panic disorder have an initial face-to-face consultation with a psychologist and are then in regular email contact with the therapist.
