Exploring the Pros and Cons of Telehealth Therapy vs. In-Person Therapy
Exploring the Pros and Cons of Telehealth Therapy vs. In-Person Therapy
When choosing a therapist that is right for you, there are many different things to consider. One of those things is if you prefer telehealth therapy or in-person therapy. Telehealth therapy is conducted over a secure online platform and is usually video-based. In-person therapy involves going to a therapy office and meeting with your therapist face-to-face. Both of these options are effective, but they do have their differences. If you aren’t sure what is right for you, here are some of the pros and cons of both forms of therapy.
Telehealth Therapy
First, let’s explore telehealth therapy. Like previously mentioned, telehealth therapy is conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant online platform. Usually, a link to join your session will be emailed to you or texted to you before your session. If you join on your computer, it should be easy to open a new window on your computer with your appointment. If you are joining your therapy session on your phone, an app may be required to access your appointment.
Telehealth therapy has multiple advantages. First of all, telehealth therapy is accessible to people who may not have the ability, means, or resources for an in-person appointment. For example, if someone is unable to drive to their appointments, telehealth can be a more accessible option. Furthermore, telehealth is more convenient than in-person therapy. You can easily hop on a telehealth appointment during your lunch break and don’t have to worry about things like travel time and parking. One of the biggest draws to telehealth therapy is the flexibility it allows. If you need to be at home while doing therapy, that’s totally fine. If you are visiting your in-laws and need to hop on a session, it is totally doable.
Like anything, there are also some drawbacks to telehealth therapy. As many of us experienced over the Covid-19 shutdown, technology can sometimes go haywire. If your device is not charged, your internet connection is bad, or your speakers aren’t working, it may not be possible to continue with your appointment. Additionally, there can be privacy concerns when joining a telehealth session because the amount of privacy you have depends on where you are able to join the appointment. Some people have a private space where they can comfortably talk without the fear of being overheard, but others may not. Lastly, a limitation of telehealth therapy is the lack of physical presence with your therapist. While therapists have recently been getting training on how to adapt their therapeutic skills to the telehealth realm, some people just prefer to not look at another screen.
In-Person Therapy
In-Person therapy is the traditional way that therapy has been done. It involves a client coming to a therapy office, often waiting in a waiting room, and then having a face-to-face appointment with their therapist.
When thinking about in-person therapy, one of the big advantages is that face-to-face interaction can be helpful for establishing rapport, or trust, with your therapist. Establishing trust is not expected to occur right away in the therapy process, but it is a critical part of the efficacy of therapy. Additionally, meeting in-person can help your therapist pick up quicker on non-verbal cues. Lastly, it can generally feel helpful to have a space that promotes calm and helps you transition from daily life to therapy time.
The limitations of in-person therapy are largely just the inverses of the benefits of telehealth therapy. In-person therapy may not be accessible for some people or their schedule may not allow driving to an office across town. Another limitation of in-person therapy is that a good fit therapist, or a therapist with the specific specialization that you are looking for, may not be available in your area. When choosing an in-person therapist, you are restricted to therapists that are feasibly in your driving range.
How to Choose?
When deciding which type of therapy would be a better fit for you, take a look at what feels really important to you. For example, if you feel embarrassed about being seen in a therapy waiting room then telehealth therapy would be a good option. On the other hand, if you feel like you cannot get a distraction-free private space at home, you may want to visit an actual office. One thing to remember is that neither option is better than the other, but one may feel better for you. When in doubt, try out both options. Many therapists also offer hybrid models that allow for both types of therapy as needed.
About The Author
Jorden Groenink, MS, AMFT, APCC an associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT136162) and an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC12906), supervised by Jeremy Mast, MS, MDiv, LMFT, CSAT, CPTT (CA90961). She has been trained in Experiential Therapy and loves working with couples and individuals who want to experience a more fulfilling life. Jorden wholeheartedly believes that every person is worthy of love and relationship. When not working with clients or listening to audiobooks, Jorden enjoys spending time with her family (husband, dog, & cat) and doing DIY projects around her house.
