Virtual Therapy vs. In-Person Therapy
When seeking professional support for your mental health, should you consider virtual therapy or in person? Weigh the pros and cons in this guide.
At Psychology.org we believe in providing trustworthy and actionable information about degree programs, careers, professional issues, and regional laws concerning the psychology, counseling, and social work professions. Our writers and editors leverage the latest data from primary sources across the site.
We also rely on our freelance Integrity Network, which is comprised of experienced professionals who pull from their first-hand industry experience and expertise to review content for accuracy and completeness. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.
Online therapy and in-person therapy offer similar benefits but differ in delivery methods.
Online therapy allows for remote sessions through video calls, chats, or phone calls, providing convenience and accessibility. It eliminates geographical barriers and offers scheduling flexibility. In contrast, in-person therapy involves face-to-face sessions in a physical setting, promoting a more direct connection. It allows for nonverbal cues and a tangible therapeutic environment.
When deciding between in-person or virtual therapy, consider your personal preferences, comfort using technology, therapeutic needs, and the nature of your concerns. This guide explores the pros and cons of each therapy counseling method to help you make an informed decision about which option is best for you.
What Is Traditional In-Person Therapy?
In-person therapy, the conventional method of mental health care, occurs face-to-face between a client and a licensed therapist at a treatment center or private office. The therapist facilitates conversations, assisting clients in examining their emotions, difficulties, and individual development. Careful consideration may go into these settings, including the color of the office walls, lighting, and furniture to promote a sense of protection, positive distraction, and a calming ambiance.
Sessions usually take place on a weekly basis or more frequently in times of crisis. Those individual sessions may last 40-60 minutes, while group sessions can go up to 90 minutes.
Pros of In-Person Therapy
Nonverbal Communication: In-person sessions allow therapists to read nonverbal cues that support verbal communication. Nonverbal information can help a therapist better understand your needs.
However, nonverbal information is not completely lost in video format. Seeing a client’s environment with video can also offer additional nonverbal insights, but a phone session would not have this advantage.
Neutral Location: Sessions that take place in a therapist’s office can provide a space away from your everyday life. A location that feels neutral can increase your comfort when sharing private information.
Intensive Support: Some mental health needs require direct, in-person therapeutic support. Art, music, and play therapy can provide effective support when used in person.
Cons of In-Person Therapy
Limited Therapist Options: Depending on your location, there may be a limited selection of therapists who specialize in a specific area or approach you need or prefer. This can make it more challenging to find the right therapist.
Accessibility: Getting to and from therapy sessions can prove a significant challenge for some. Traffic, public transit issues, and commuting time add up, particularly for clients with young children, people experiencing poverty, or older adults. Taking time away from work or other priorities can also limit access to in-person therapy.
Timing: Long waiting periods due to lack of availability or differing schedules might force a delay in beginning sessions with a new therapist.
What Is Online Therapy?
Mental health professionals refer to any distance-based therapy as telepsychology or teletherapy. This type of therapy takes place in any location that offers internet access remotely between a client and therapist. To meet over a video call, you need to schedule an appointment and access the communication platform on any internet-connected device that meets the software requirements. Text therapy typically occurs within a specific time frame.
Counseling online adheres to the same scheduling formats as traditional therapy. Each week, you attend appointments lasting about 40-60 minutes.
Pros of Online Therapy
Cost: Therapists who join virtual therapy networks might offer cheaper monthly rates when booking multiple sessions at a time. However, while the company might promise increased access to a therapist at lower, weekly or monthly rates, prices can increase later on.
Convenience: With virtual options like texting and emailing, you can connect with a therapist from virtually anywhere at any time. Online services provide access to therapeutic support quickly and with little hassle.
Easy Access: Online options provide easier access to therapeutic support for those with difficulties commuting to in-person therapy sessions. Connecting virtually can also lower social anxieties associated with sharing physical spaces with others.
Reduced Stigma: Online therapy options can reduce some of the negative feelings associated with attending an in-person therapy session. Online therapy sessions allow you to limit interactions by scheduling and attending appointments from the comfort of your home.
Cons of Online Therapy
Technology Reliant: Video conferencing comes with the added pressure of you and your therapist relying on an internet connection. One or both of you may lose service, interfering with your ability to connect when desired or needed. This should be discussed with your therapist on how this situation will be handled if internet service is lost.
Limits to Care: Some more serious mental health conditions may require an in-person session, putting limits on effective care options online. Also, those who supplement their income by joining a virtual therapy network can sometimes become burned out, leading to lower quality of care.
Communication Restrictions: Text and email communications can inhibit the depth of understanding between you and your therapist. Without body language and nonverbal cues, communication can feel limited. Also, patients should not assume a therapist is available 24/7 virtually.
Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns: Confidentiality and privacy can be critical concerns when it comes to teletherapy. Cyber breaches, email phishing, and malware could put your protected health information at risk. Furthermore, taking a virtual therapy session at home or in a public space can open up the possibility of others overhearing your private conversations.
In-Person vs. Online Therapy
Teletherapy became significantly more popular after the COVID-19 pandemic as a convenient — and sometimes cheaper — format to receive mental health help. According to a study on teletherapy, patients and mental health professionals found counseling online effective. In fact, virtual appointments had higher attendance rates compared to in-person visits. However, virtual behavioral health poses inherent risks to private healthcare information. In-person visits offer a sense of privacy and intimacy not available virtually.
Is in-person therapy better than online? Both modes of therapy can offer effective mental health care. Patients and mental health professionals view telehealth positively, according to the National Library of Medicine. The choice comes down to your preferences and needs.
How to Find Help
Your mental health needs should guide your selection of therapy options. Consider making your own list of pros and cons to help guide your thinking. Explore some of the resources below to find the right one for your needs.
Resources for Finding Therapy
- Open Path Collective: This site offers in-person and online therapy options for those needing financial support.
- GoodTherapy: Find therapists, mental health centers, and other treatment options through a directory of licensed professionals.
- NeedyMeds Low-Cost Mental Health Clinics: Search for free, low-cost, and sliding-scale medical clinics with therapists who support individuals with mental health, substance use, and other healthcare needs.
- Better Help Online Therapy Network: Licensed therapists are available for virtual therapy mental health support.
- Give an Hour: Volunteer mental health professionals offer free services to military veterans, people affected by natural disasters, and those affected by COVID-19.
- Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration: Search a database of mental health providers treating substance use issues and mental health needs.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Government-funded health centers provide low-cost therapy options for patients with and without insurance.
- Allwell Behavioral Health Services: Telehealth options are available for emergency care, ongoing therapy, and additional support services.
- Psychology Today Therapist Search: Find a therapist offering online and in-person therapeutic support across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online and In-Person Therapy
Yes. Patients and clinicians perceive online therapy and in-person therapy as effective. Based on research, virtual therapy has higher completion rates and rates of attendance. Your dedication to your mental health determines the effectiveness of therapy rather than the mode of delivery. Any therapy can lead to long-term improvements.
