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For some patients there is a preference for using the medium of video teleconferencing. Video therapy allows a patient to see a psychiatrist or psychotherapist from the comfort, convenience and anonymity of their own home. With the spread of computers with built in cameras and the ease of use of modern software, getting a reliable connection is not difficult even for the most computer illiterate user. Obviously it is essential for the patient to have a broadband connection, a sufficiently powerful computer, speakers and microphone, and a private location, to allow the sessions to be effective.
Studies in the Shetland Islands (1995) have shown that of six participants in the study 3 preferred video conferencing to face to face therapy. The Via Clinic prefers to meet patients face to face initially if a course of video therapy is to be prescribed.