In person or online therapy - which is better?
I often get asked by new clients: “Is in-person or online counselling better?”
And whilst that is a difficult question to answer, I definitely can help guide you to make the decision that is right for you - and that’s all that really matters!
Personally, I’ve never had an in-person session with my current therapist, and that’s been almost 4 years now! Prior to that I did have in-person appointments, but it has been a while since then.
So while I’ve experienced both options as the person receiving counselling, I also provide counselling in both forms, and see how each can benefit people in different ways.
Let’s explore the options, and hopefully help you figure out which best suits you!
Now, one aspect many people appreciate about in-person counselling is that you might find you can build more natural rapport and the conversation tends to flow a bit better. The physical presence of both of you in the same room means body language, environment, and unspoken words are easier to read.
For some, the act of commuting to and from the therapy appointment can act as mental bookends. Some people enjoy the opportunity to prepare for the session ahead or to refresh and reset after the session concludes. On the other hand, in some cases travelling to and from your appointment can take a big chunk out of your day, especially if you’re juggling a few commitments like work, therapy, volunteering, family etc.
Some people prefer online appointments because they get to choose what they’re wearing and where they are. If you’re at home, you can stay cosy in your trackies if you’d like - something you might be less inclined to do if you’re visiting in-person, but an important note for people with sensory sensitivities! I’ve also had some clients take me on a walk with them or sit at the park and have their sessions out in the sun. Online sessions allow the flexibility to have your appointment wherever you feel most comfortable.
Of course, while you’re free to roam and have your appointment whereever you like, you’re at the mercy of your internet connection. This sometimes means that things might get missed, or your therapist might accidentally speak over you if there’s a bit of a lag in the video. Which can also make the conversation feel less natural for some people, and make it a bit harder to get talking.
The bottom line?
There is no ‘better’ option - it’s entirely dependent on you!
If you’re tossing up between in-person or online, I’d suggest finding a therapist that offers both!
I have clients that only do in-person and some that only do online. Then there are those that do a mixture of in-person and online based on what’s going on for them that week. If they’re super busy or can’t fit in the additional commute, they usually opt for online, but if they have a day off work or want to get out of the house a bit, they’ll book for in-person – we just take it week by week. It’s great to have the flexibility to choose!