A comparison of online and in-person counseling outcomes using solution-focused brief therapy for college students with anxiety

TLDR

The study notes limitations in sample size and diversity. The study compared online synchronous video counseling to in‑person counseling using solution‑focused brief therapy for college students with mild to moderate anxiety. Forty‑nine undergraduate students with mild to moderate anxiety were randomized in a non‑inferiority design to receive solution‑focused brief therapy either online via synchronous video or in‑person, with outcomes measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory and College Counseling Assessment of Psychological Symptoms. Both online and in‑person solution‑focused brief therapy produced significant reductions in anxiety scores, with no significant difference in effectiveness between the two delivery methods, supporting online SFBT as an effective alternative.

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study compared online, synchronous video counseling to in-person counseling using solution-focused brief therapy for college students with mild to moderate anxiety. Participants: Participants were 49 undergraduate students who were seeking counseling for mild to moderate anxiety. The study was conducted from November, 2017 to December 2018. Methods: In a randomized, non-inferiority design, undergraduate participants were randomly assigned to online, synchronous video counseling or in-person treatment for anxiety using solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). Participants completed the Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and College Counseling Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS) to assess outcomes. Results: The results showed significant changes in scores on the BAI and the CCAPS Generalized Anxiety and Social Anxiety subscales for participants in both study conditions, and no significant differences in effectiveness of the two delivery methods. Conclusions: The findings provide support for the treatment of college students with anxiety with SFBT through online, synchronous video counseling. Limitations related to sample size and diversity are discussed.