Online or In person Therapy?
To seek therapy online or in person .... which one is best suited for me?
As you all know by now, the online connection with others exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic as it helped us continue to be in each other's lives as things were shutting down. This also opened the door to creative opportunities for therapists to connect with their clients and paved the way for improvements in the online mental health services industry.
What this really boils down to is what do you need and what will be most helpful for you at this time. You didn't have the option before, but you do now. Either way, you do not have to commit to online or in person out of the box and may want to find a therapist who provides both types of accessibility so you can give them a try and compare your notes. There are some definite differences and challenges to both options. Similarly, therapists should be competent and capable in delivering online and in-person services and in practicing and implementing therapeutic approaches they claim in their practice. The burden of being competent and capable rests on the shoulders of the therapist not you.
I will do my best to cover the pros and cons of online and in-person therapy based on my experiences and what I have heard from my clients in our work together using both options.
Pros of Online Therapy
Online therapy offers a convenient option to driving to appointments located in a clinic setting. Instead of worrying about traffic hassles and parking, you can stay home or in your office or another safe space and talk with your therapist. There may be financial limitations or time constraints associated with driving to a clinic such as paying for gas and parking or time in traffic or distance to a clinic. Online therapy provides another option where you do not have to worry about filling up the tank or running late. You may have difficulty accessing transportation or managing a disability and online therapy can offer an alternative, so you feel less stressed and overwhelmed about getting to an appointment.
Cons of Online Therapy
Of course, there is always another side of the coin when comparing things in life. One of the biggest disadvantages of participating in online therapy is the lack of the in-person presence. If you are more isolated or have limited support, online therapy can be less desirable since the connection is through a camera or phone. As a therapist, I work very hard at making sure our connection is as personable and engaging as possible even though I may not be able to touch your hand or your shoulder. Unfortunately, not all insurances will pay or reimburse for online therapy which provides another challenge. My hope is that this continues to improve and becomes accessible to everyone in the near future but for now it will be important for you to verify if your insurance plan covers online therapy, sometimes referred to as behavioral telehealth or telebehavioral health. Remember, access to online therapy is new and has only been active for several years. There are a lot of factors involved for insurance plans, laws, and agencies to continue to allow the accessibility of online therapy. Another big concern with online therapy is for your privacy and confidentiality. This is important on your side as well as mine. Being in yours or someone else's home or in another space can limit your privacy if you have people that might try to overhear you, or people who will intrude on the conversation, or if you don't have a headset or earphones/earbuds, or if you are worried about your safety. On the therapist's end, it is equally necessary to protect your privacy and confidentiality by making sure no one in the home or office can hear the conversation. Lastly, there may be an increase in possible interruptions with online therapy such as inclement weather or internet issues.
Pros of In-Person Therapy
The pros of in-person therapy are just the direct opposite of the cons of online therapy with some additional components. Of course, in-person therapy provides a physical connection with another human being and is accepted by most insurance plans. There is also a decrease in interruptions of the therapy session since you do not have to rely on the internet for connectivity. Some other pros for in-person therapy are that it is more appropriate if you are being treated for severe and complex mental health conditions or if you are in a crisis situation. Also, it is easier to share documents or practice assignments when you and the therapist can look at information together.
Cons of In-Person Therapy
The cons of in-person therapy are basically the opposite of the pros for online therapy. It may be easier for you to cancel your appointment due to time constraints, or access to transportation, or cost of travel. The reality is that some people are uncomfortable talking to a therapist in person. My hope is that you would increase your comfort over time, but this is often a deterrent for people. If you are dealing with social anxiety, sitting across from a therapist in an unfamiliar room may increase these symptoms or it may cause you to avoid the appointment and cancel more often.
Whether you decide to schedule an in-person or online therapy appointment with the therapist of your choice, the decision is yours. Think about what is important to you in this connection with a therapist and how you will manage the circumstances around these appointments. Make sure your decision is realistic, reasonable, and helpful for you and your work toward the best version of yourself. Some therapists only provide one option so include this question when you are interviewing therapists. If the therapist offers both in-person and online, then you might want to give both a try and use the online option when there are time constraints or other inconveniences in your day.