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Online depression therapy given go-ahead in England
Nine online talking-therapy treatments for anxiety or depression have been given the green light to be used by the NHS in England.
They offer faster access to help but less time with a therapist, which may not suit everyone, the health body recommending them said.
There is huge demand for face-to-face services, with people waiting several weeks to see a therapist.
The new digital therapies, delivered via a website or an app using cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), provide an alternative way of accessing support, which may be more convenient for some, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says.
They could also free up resources and help reduce the wait for care. However, psychiatrists said digital therapies were not a long-term solution.
Mental-health charity Sane said they were no substitute for a one-to-one relationship and could leave people feeling even more isolated than before.
Source: BBC News, 16 May 2023