Finding the right fit: Online vs. in-person therapy

Both have benefits and drawbacks... it's up to personal preference.

With more and more people looking for therapy, a critical choice is deciding between online and in-person therapy. Both are viable options — it is up to personal preference to decide which is the best fit for you. This article will cover the benefits and drawbacks of each method, starting with online therapy.

Online Therapy: Benefits

• Accessibility and convenience: take sessions from anywhere, anytime with flexible scheduling. Attend a session with a therapist that lives halfway across the world without the costs and inconvenience of needing to travel. As long as the client has an internet connection, this option allows anyone (especially those with physical or mental constraints or those who live in rural areas) to easily get therapy.

• Reduced stigma: in addition to easier access to therapy, online therapy lowers some of the stigma around going to in-person therapy. Interactions are restricted, and thus, may feel like a safer or more ideal method for some individuals.

Online Therapy: Drawbacks

• Technology reliant: the client and therapist must both have a strong, stable internet connection. Losing connection would disrupt the therapy session.

• Nonverbal cues: essential parts to in-person therapy are reading body language and facial expressions. Through these, the therapist can better understand their client and form deeper bonds with them, enhancing the efficiency of their therapy session. Communication can feel restricted in online therapy.

• Environment: The client may not have a quiet, private place to talk freely and honestly.

• Privacy concerns: malware and cyber breaches could threaten protected, private health information.

In-Person Therapy: Benefits

• Nonverbal cues: the therapist can take advantage of reading their client’s nonverbal cues, allowing them to reach a better understanding. Nevertheless, this advantage is not completely lost in online therapy.

• Environment: the therapist can provide a safe, completely secure location where the client feels comfortable to speak freely. Because this is a neutral space, the client feels better about divulging sensitive details.

• Better suited towards certain conditions: some therapies, such as somatic or movement-based therapies, require the therapist to be physically present. Others, like CBT, are better suited to be used online.

In-Person Therapy: Drawbacks

• Accessibility: travel time can be a significant challenge, especially for parents, people in poverty, or the elderly. Scheduling problems can result in long breaks between sessions and there is much less flexibility available.

• Location: the client is much more limited in their choice of therapists compared to online therapy. Choosing the perfect therapist can be hard.

If both of these options have significant downsides, keep in mind hybrid therapy! It is a combination of online and in-person sections, providing the most flexibility.

References

Ko, Nalea. "Virtual Therapy vs. In-Person Therapy." Psychology.org, 10 Apr. 2024, www.psychology.org/resources/virtual-therapy-vs-in-person/.

"Online Therapy vs In-Person Therapy: What You Need to Know." Cerebral, 30 Oct. 2024, www.resiliencelab.us/thought-lab/online-therapy-vs-in-person-therapy.

"Virtual Therapy vs. In-Person Therapy: What's the Difference and How to Choose." Triad Psych, triadpsych.org/virtual-therapy-vs-in-person-therapy-whats-the-difference-and-how-to-choose/.

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