Does Online Stammer Therapy Work as Well as Face-to-Face?
Since the pandemic, many families have become more familiar with online therapy. I’ve also used online sessions consistently in both my NHS and private practice.
One question parents (and sometimes therapists) often ask is whether stammer therapy works as well online as it does in person.
Research suggests that online therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy for many communication and mental health interventions.
A large umbrella review published in 2024 analysed hundreds of systematic reviews and meta-analyses comparing telehealth with traditional face-to-face therapy. The authors found that outcomes were generally comparable, with telehealth showing similar effectiveness across a range of psychological and health interventions.
Other research comparing teletherapy with in-person therapy has also found similar clinical outcomes and therapeutic relationships, suggesting that meaningful therapeutic work can happen through video sessions just as it can in the same room.
When we think about how stammer therapy actually works, this makes sense.
Stammer therapy is largely based on conversation, reflection, and the relationship between the therapist and client. It often involves exploring communication experiences, developing understanding of stammering, and practising strategies that support comfortable communication.
Unlike some healthcare interventions, it does not rely on specialised equipment or physical examinations. Much of the work happens through talking, listening, and exploring communication together, all of which translate well to an online setting.
In fact, online therapy can offer some unique advantages.
Children and adults are often more relaxed in their own home, which can make speaking feel easier. Therapy also happens in the same environment where everyday communication takes place, which can help strategies carry over into real-life situations.
Another important benefit is access to specialist support. Families are no longer limited to therapists in their local area and can work with clinicians who have specific experience supporting people who stammer. Some families may wish to access specialist or highly specialist therapists and online therapy makes this much more possible.
Face-to-face therapy can still be helpful in some situations, and every family is different. However, current research and clinical experience suggest that online stammer therapy can be a flexible and effective way to access support.
⸻
References
Chen, Y. et al. (2024). Effectiveness of telemedicine on common mental disorders: An umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis. Computers in Human Behavior.
Davis, K. A. et al. (2024). Therapeutic alliance and clinical outcomes in teletherapy and in-person psychotherapy: A non-inferiority study. Psychotherapy Research, 34(5), 589–600.
