The use of the telephone to extend our therapeutic availability.

The popularity of the ongoing use of telephone sessions as a legitimate mode of conducting psychotherapy is a cause for concern. This article discusses its limitations as well as appreciates its effectiveness with a select group of patients. Embarking on psychotherapy by telephone requires the pre-existence of a good psychotherapeutic alliance and the development of some stability in the patient's life. Many patients do not take to communicating by telephone. The need of a more active therapeutic style will be commented upon. The workability and the quality of the telephone sessions need to be ever re-evaluated, as the patient and the circumstances will change.