Is Therapy Better in Person Or Online?
Same Therapeutic Goals, Different Service Methods
Since the pandemic when many people worked virtually, therapists shifted their models so they could work online if they had been meeting in person. Although face-to-face appointments have traditionally been more common in therapeutic settings, that’s changed with the popularity of online therapy and reliable internet that connects people through video and not just through chat or text messaging.
But is therapy better in person or online? There are several reasons why people may prefer to meet their therapists virtually instead of driving to the office. The question is whether you can get your need for help adequately addressed by telehealth or e-therapy or whether you should have your sessions in person.
When you go to a meeting with your therapist, whether you’re talking in person or you’re video conferencing, the goals are the same. You have a mental health issue that you’re trying to solve, or you’re working on improving your mental health and psychological strength.
Whatever the reason behind the therapy, it can be addressed either virtually or in person. It’s not the case that some conditions require in-person sessions and others require digital ones. Whether you get help through your Wi-Fi or sit in the therapist’s office, you’ll still receive assistance for the issues you’re working through.
The therapy is the same, just the method of delivery is different. It’s similar to getting food from a restaurant: you can either eat there or you can order it and have it delivered. Either way, you’re still eating the same food. You’ve just changed how you get the food from the restaurant.
Choosing one or the other is a matter of taste (literally, in the case of the restaurant.) Some people may prefer seeing their therapists in person because they’re more comfortable that way and like to talk in a different setting from home or work. Others may prefer to see their counselor virtually because e-therapy does have its strong points.
To discover how the mental and behavioral health care programs can help patients at You Behavioral Health via our online platform, give us a call at (855) 206-2268 to get started.
5 Benefits of Online Therapy
No matter your preferences, there are definitely some advantages to meeting your therapist online.
1. Approachability
Let’s face it, getting help for mental health has long had a stigma in this country. Although most health insurance companies cover it, finding a therapist near you when you have to meet in person can be a hassle. You have to find one open for new appointments, fill out all the paperwork, and drive back to the appointment.
Meanwhile, many therapists have traditional hours during the workday when people who need help are at work. All of that makes it hard to actually go through with setting an appointment and getting to it.
Virtual therapy can prevent a lot of this hassle or make it less of a problem. When you don’t have to restrict yourself to therapists within driving range, you have a wider availability of specialists who are taking on new clients and may have hours that work around your schedule. And even if you do meet during the workday, you don’t have to factor in the driving time to get there and back.
2. Affordability
You may find online therapy less expensive than the traditional kind. Virtual counselors don’t have all the expenses that accompany maintaining office space, so they can reduce their rates. Most insurance companies also cover telehealth, and that’s a requirement in some states.
Sometimes it’s also less expensive just because you don’t have to make the same arrangements as you might for an in-person appointment. For example, you may not need to find child care, or if you do, you don’t need it as long because you don’t have travel time to factor in. Similarly, there’s no wear and tear on your car, gas, or fees for public transportation when you can access your care directly from work or home.
3. Accessibility
Mobility is tough for many Americans. Making a face-to-face therapy appointment may be impossible if it’s hard to get out of the house. Even though housebound people often need mental health care of some kind. Those who prefer not to go out in public due to ongoing COVID issues or for other reasons also benefit from digital sessions.
There may be no mental health practitioners nearby in rural or remote areas. Without telehealth, they may not be able to access any kind of therapeutic care.
4. Convenience
No traveling, no searching for a parking space, no difficulties with traffic when you’re in your own place talking to your therapist. They may also have different hours that are easier for you to attend compared to therapists who only see clients during the workday.
In some areas of the country, the therapeutic practitioners are all booked up, and it’s hard to find someone that’s open to new clients, much less a therapist that you think would be a good fit. Once you can talk to anyone across the country, you have a much wider range of possibilities.
It’s important to find someone that seems like a good fit, and you can narrow down your list without worrying about geographic restrictions. Instead, you can focus on the things that are important to you, like gender, specialties, and office hours.
5. Privacy and comfort
You may feel more comfortable on your own turf instead of going to the therapist’s office. Many people (especially those who live in smaller towns) are worried that someone they know will see them entering the therapist’s office, and that alone can be enough to deter them from getting help.
Instead, if you’re at home or at work behind a securely closed door, your privacy is assured, and you can discuss things with your therapist that maybe you’ve never told anyone else – without fear that someone will hear or spread it around.
Things to Know Before Getting Online Therapy for the First Time
Since many therapists don’t have assistants, you may find that your message goes to voicemail if you call them. Or they may not get back to you right away via email. That’s because they’re seeing clients. Many therapists have a dedicated time that they use to call potential clients back and set up appointments.
You may have a 15 to 30-minute consult first to ensure that the therapist can help you and that they’re a good fit. That way you don’t waste your time with a longer appointment only to find out they’re not the right one for you.
At your first session, the therapist will want to do some fact-finding. They’ll want to know about your health and family background, as well as why you’re trying to get help and why you chose them to help you. While they’re asking you many questions, they’ll probably be taking many notes as well. Many therapists review their discussions with their clients before a session so they can refresh themselves on the important points. Some, though, won’t take notes because they view the first session as more of a meet-and-greet.
The therapist will usually tell you a little bit about themselves as well: the type of people they help and the problems that they specialize in. They’ll also discuss their schedules and fees, so you know what to expect going forward.
Online Therapy Can Help With You Behavioral Health
If you need online therapy, You Behavioral Health can help you address your issues. Call (855) 206-2268 to discuss our caring staff will assess your mental health so we can customize a treatment plan specifically for you. We accept most major insurance carriers and can help you get the help you need and deserve.