Is psychoanalytic treatment by telephone a standard practice for psychologists? If it has value, in what situations is it effective? A survey of 120 members of Division 39 of the American Psychological Association showed that 83% had used it over the previous 2 years: 84% said they found such sessions usually productive, and 98% found them productive at least some of the time. Geography was the most frequent indication. A therapist or a patient moving to a new location and a patient traveling for work were the usual causes. Case studies showed that telephone work was especially useful in uncovering patient need for emotional distance and patient shame about physical characteristics.