In the modern world, more and more people get rid of stereotypical prejudice about therapy and seek therapeutic help when it is needed. For example, the statistics show that only in 2023, about 59.2 million Americans turned to specialists to help them with mental health conditions. Contrastingly, in 2021, this number was around 41.7 million, which indicates a constant rise in statistics.
Today, people can choose the format for a session, specifically virtual or in-person therapy.
Online therapy keeps gaining popularity, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of telemedicine and telehealth services. However, many people still prefer traditional in-person sessions because of the ability to communicate face-to-face with specialists.
In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of virtual therapy and compare it with offline meetings with a therapist. When you get acquainted with therapy options, you can choose which type of therapy is more suitable for you.
What is traditional in-person therapy?
Traditional therapy, also often called in-person psychotherapy, is in-person appointments between a client and a licensed therapist. It is usually held in a therapist’s office, clinic, or mental health facility. Offline sessions with mental health professionals last 45-50 minutes, although the time may vary depending on a client’s needs.
In-person counseling is appropriate for many mental health needs. It involves various therapy types, like:
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
- Couples therapy
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- Trauma-specific therapy
- Humanistic therapy and others
Most commonly, people choose in-person therapy sessions because, in this way, it is easier for them to build a bond with a specialist and trust them with their issues. This feature is a critical element in a therapeutic process.
During offline counseling, many therapists can develop a close and direct connection with their clients, which is one of the benefits of in-person therapy. The use of nonverbal cues that are easier to notice when a person is sitting in front of you is important in understanding emotions and fostering trust.
Nonverbal communication, like body language, changes in posture and voice, eye movement, and facial expressions, give therapists the ability to better interpret the emotions of their clients. This, in turn, improves overall quality of care.
What is online therapy?
Virtual counseling or teletherapy is a session between client and therapist that occurs online. Online therapy lasts 40-60 minutes, while therapy group sessions may take up to 90 minutes. This type of counseling may be held via virtual appointments, such as:
- Phone or video calls
- Audio sessions
- Text messages
According to the American Psychological Association, the popularity of online therapy has grown significantly in recent years, making online therapy services that connect therapists and clients in demand.
Digital therapy, like in-person sessions, covers a wide range of therapy options. The most well-liked online therapies are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and emotion-focused therapy (EFT).
The greatest benefit of teletherapy is the ability to find a therapist and connect with them without leaving your home. For example, people who live in rural areas often choose online meetings with a therapist as, in this way, they don’t spend time getting to the office of a specialist and get quality mental health care from the comfort of their own homes.
In online therapy sessions, mental health professionals offer as much support and help as during one-on-one meetings. However, if you experience severe mental health issues like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or borderline personality disorder, then therapists may recommend you to see them in person.
Pros of online therapy
Online counseling is gaining popularity every year due to its accessibility and convenience. If you seek mental health support from qualified specialists, this therapy format offers several benefits.
The most common pros are as follows:
Cost:
One of the benefits of online therapy is cost-effectiveness. The prices for online therapy may vary depending on the platforms that provide mental health services and insurance companies. You can choose from various subscription plans available on many platforms. You can also save money if your insurance plan includes mental health benefits.
If you consider getting mental support without insurance, the online session would be less expensive than a traditional one. Furthermore, many online specialists in the U.S. offer a sliding-scale payment option.
For example, Calmerry, an online therapy platform, provides a wide range of packages, starting at only $198 per month.
Convenience:
Video conferencing provides an opportunity to connect with a therapist from any comfortable place. You can call or text a specialist from your home, during lunchtime, or on the go to see your friends. It saves you money and time, as you don’t need to get to the session physically.
With teletherapy, you have a flexible scheduling option that makes it easier to connect with your therapist quickly and easily and do it from the comfort of your home.
When you can reach a specialist right away and in a convenient location, it helps you engage in therapies regularly and thus helps you improve your mental state.
Easy access:
Another key benefit of online sessions is easy access. You can get in touch with your therapist from anywhere. This is especially important if you live in rural areas or have transportation difficulties.
With online platforms, you can get mental help from a phone or computer and not spend time traveling to the specialist’s office.
Reduced stigma:
Digital therapy helps reduce the stigma that is usually associated with getting mental health treatment.
Many people who decide to get mental support for the first time may worry about people’s opinions about it, and especially the judgment they may face from others. In this case, teletherapy is their “redemption,” as they can get help in the walls of their homes and preserve their anonymity.
Also, as to Psychology Today, if you have social anxiety and don’t want anyone to see you, online sessions will be a great option.
Cons of virtual therapy
While telepsychology offers many benefits, you should be aware of some drawbacks that come with it. These limitations can impact the effectiveness and your overall perception of the therapy.
Let’s take a closer look at the cons of online therapy:
Technology reliant:
To have a successful session, you need a laptop or phone and a steady internet connection. Technical issues like low video quality or lost connectivity could impede the therapeutic process.
Additionally, some people can find it more challenging to connect with their online therapist because they are not tech-savvy.
Limits to care:
You may not have access to the same scope of therapists and support as in-person care because of the limited treatment options available online. Additionally, the efficacy of some forms of treatment may be limited by the difficulty of using some therapeutic tools in an online format, such as hands-on techniques or physical evaluations.
Communication restrictions:
Another drawback of digital therapy is the limitation on communication. Online sessions lack face-to-face interactions that are possible during offline sessions.
People become more dependent on technology, which sometimes leads to social distancing. This can influence the overall effectiveness of a digital session, as it may be difficult for a specialist to understand your emotions fully.
Privacy and confidentiality concerns:
Sensitive information may be put at risk when clients participate in therapy online, particularly if the platforms are insecure. Due to some technological issues or cyber attacks, clients online may become exposed if private messages or personal information are made public.
That’s why you should pay special attention to online platforms that provide mental support and give top priority to websites with robust encryption and privacy safeguards.
In-person vs. online therapy
Therapy is an emerging subject. With its constant growth and development, individuals now have the option to choose between the format in which they want their sessions with a therapist to be held.
Both online therapy and in-person therapy have their distinct advantages for different needs and are great options for getting help from mental health practitioners.
Compared to in-person therapy, online sessions are more about convenience. At the same time, if you prefer more involved experiences and in-person meetings, then a traditional variant will be an option for you.
Anyway, the most important thing when seeking help from specialists is to find the right therapist who will cover your needs completely. So, when choosing between in-person versus online sessions, think of all factors that can help you make the right choice.
Who should choose virtual therapy?
Overall, both online and offline therapy can be suitable for anyone. However, both formats have their peculiarities.
If you’re thinking about online therapy, you should determine if it suits your needs. Here are some benefits to consider when choosing virtual therapy:
- Convenience
- Accessibility
- Flexible schedules
- A wider range of therapists
- Anonymity
- Comfortable and familiar environment
- Affordability
- Regular engagement in therapies
- No traveling to an office
- Video or audio recordings to support your progress
Who should choose in-person therapy?
For those deciding between digital therapy or in-person sessions, the following advantages of traditional counseling will help to know if it fits one’s requirements.
In-person appointments with therapists will benefit you if you’re looking for:
- More intimate and personal experience
- More engagement with a therapist
- No difficulties with technical connection
- Non-verbal cues
- A wider range of therapeutic tools
- Focused, non-distractive environment
- More intensive sessions (especially for severe issues)
- Confidentiality
- Deeper connections
- Direct support
FAQ
- What is the main difference between virtual therapy and in-person therapy?
Online and in-person therapy mainly differ in the format in which the sessions are held. For example, online sessions are held using technology. In contrast, a live therapy session is a face-to-face meeting usually held at a therapist’s office.
- What should I look for when selecting an online therapy provider?
First, make sure that the platform you pick meets your needs. To do so, ensure that the platform protects your personal information with secure technologies.
Check the therapist’s license and experience. Also, many platforms offer trial sessions. You may take one to see if the therapist suits your requirements.
- Is virtual therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Yes, digital therapy is as effective as in-person. But, a live appointment may be more appropriate if you have severe mental issues.
- How do I know if virtual therapy is right for me?
Virtual therapy will be the right for you if you value convenience, need privacy, or have trouble receiving in-person care.
- How much does online therapy cost?
The cost of online therapy depends on several factors, like the rates of therapists and whether you have insurance coverage. The average cost of the online session is $75, but it may vary based on the platform or plan you choose.
- When may it be better to see a therapist in person?
It may be better to see a therapist in person if you have significant mental health issues, need a more intimate connection, or prefer face-to-face conversations.