Online Counseling outcomes as good or better than face-to-face counseling
Here is a brief article on some outcome studies regarding online counseling.
https://www.socialworkhelper.com/2015/08/25/whats-deal-online-therapy/
Video Counseling as Effective as Face-to-Face
According to this study of depressed seniors, the difference in effectiveness between video counseling and face-to-face counseling was statistically insignificant and much less expensive.
Mayo Clinic Supports Telemedicine
Here is an article to the Star Tribune from July 10, 2015 regarding Mayo Clinic touting the advantages to the use of telemedicine. Still a ways to go before laws and insurance companies catch up to the realities of the benefits of telemedicine, but this is encouraging.