THE EFFICACY OF ONLINE THERAPY FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a significant increase in stress, depression, and anxiety, particularly affecting adolescents and individuals with pre-existing disorders.Public health measures intensified feelings of loneliness and fear, highlighting failures in psychological care systems.In response, online psychotherapy interventions emerged, such as Electronic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (e-CBT) and Brief Solution-Focused Therapy, which have proven effective in managing symptoms of anxiety and depression.Objective: To explore the effectiveness of online psychotherapy approaches for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder during the Covid-19 pandemic.Methodology: A systematic review was conducted using the Medline database with the descriptors "Online therapy, " "Covid-19 pandemic, " "Depression, " and "Anxiety." The search resulted in 552 articles.After applying inclusion criteria, 11 articles were selected for the review.Results and Discussion: During the pandemic, there was an increase in online therapies, with interventions such as mindfulness demonstrating reductions in anxiety and effectiveness in improving psychological well-being.Mindfulness-based brief therapy showed lasting benefits, while laughter therapy was effective for depression but less so for anxiety.The studies utilized control groups, showing that online therapies can be as effective as in-person therapies, although some limitations, such as sample size and diversity, were identified.Despite this, online therapies emerge as a valuable tool for mental health support in times of crisis, adapting to the needs of specific groups, such as pregnant women and adolescents.Conclusion: Online therapy proved effective during the pandemic, helping to manage psychological symptoms.Individualizing therapeutic approaches is crucial to meet the