Archive · 25 Nov 2025
Text Therapy Effective for Mental Health Support
A new study shows that texting your therapist can be just as helpful as video calls for people feeling sad or anxious.
A doctor in Mumbai helped a young man with confidence issues by texting him encouragement before a job interview.
The study found that over 12 weeks, text therapy worked as well as video therapy for improving mood and social skills.
Texting allows people to get help right away, anytime they need it, without waiting for an appointment.
This is a big deal because it makes mental health support more accessible and convenient.
Text-based psychotherapy is as effective as video-based therapy for mild to moderate depression.
A study in JAMA Network Open showed similar improvements in symptoms and social functioning over 12 weeks.
Texting allows for immediate care without the need for fixed appointments.
Dr. Shaunak Ajinkya helped a 28-year-old patient with performance anxiety through supportive text messages.
Digital mental health platforms are increasingly offering text-based therapy sessions.
- Who
- Patients with mild to moderate depression, therapists
- What
- Effectiveness of text-based psychotherapy compared to video-based therapy
- When
- Study conducted over 12 weeks
- Where
- Study published in JAMA Network Open, examples from Mumbai
- Why
- To provide immediate care and support during vulnerable moments
- Study Source
- JAMA Network Open
- Study Duration
- 12 weeks
- Effectiveness
- Text-based therapy as effective as video-based therapy
- Key Benefit
- Immediate care without fixed appointments
- Example Patient
- 28-year-old with performance anxiety
- Therapist's Role
- Dr. Shaunak Ajinkya, Psychiatrist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
- Study Co-Author
- Dr. Patrick J Raue, University of Washington