Telehealth, In-Person, or Hybrid? A new study sheds light on effective therapy options for children and teens. What’s the best way to deliver mental health care to children and teens, telehealth, in-person therapy, or a mix of both? This is a critical question as telehealth rapidly reshapes access to care, especially for groups like military families who face unique challenges.
Recently, Dr. Keith Klostermann, with CVN’s Clinical Programs department, presented key findings from a CVN study at the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) convention in New Orleans. The study explored this very question, diving into how these three approaches compare in improving mental health outcomes for children and adolescents.
Comparing the Models
The study examined the comparative effects of three treatment modalities, telehealth, in-person therapy, and hybrid approaches, on improving mental health symptoms in children and adolescents within the network.
All three approaches (in-person, telehealth, and hybrid) demonstrated similar and significant reductions in depression symptoms overall. Specifically, in-person and telehealth showed significant improvement in reducing depression severity as measured by PHQ-A change. This suggests that telehealth is an effective option for children and adolescents seeking services for depression.
The hybrid approach demonstrated the highest rate of full treatment goal attainment, suggesting it might offer the best option for some clients. However, the study also noted that the lack of clear parameters for what constitutes “hybrid” treatment may limit the strength of this conclusion.
Key Takeaways and Future Directions
The study’s results strongly suggest that telehealth is an effective option for children and adolescents seeking help for depression. This is particularly relevant for military families who may benefit greatly from the flexibility and accessibility of virtual care.
As CVN continues to tailor our care delivery to meet the evolving needs of military families, we are uniquely equipped to foster positive outcomes. By offering a range of care modalities we ensure that support is accessible to fit the unique circumstances of each family. This flexibility allows us to meet children, teens, and their families exactly where they are.
Klostermann, K., Renno, S., & Lancaster, S. L. (2025). Children and adolescents achieve similar mental health outcomes with telehealth, in-person, or hybrid treatment [Poster presentation].
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies convention, New Orleans, LA.