In-person Therapy or Teletherapy? Exploring the Pros and Cons

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we became more familiar with the capabilities of technology to keep our business, education, and healthcare systems running. Now that we’re coming out of the more difficult times of the pandemic, will this technology continue to have a place in our day-to-day lives? 

Some detest using video meetings, phone calls, and email for communication, preferring face-to-face communication whenever possible. Others prefer the convenience and time-saving nature of this technology. While we aren’t always given the choice when it comes to school- and work-related matters, your therapeutic process is one area you may have control over. Therapy via telehealth, dubbed “teletherapy”, has grown in popularity over the past several years. Here, we will weigh some of the pros and cons of the teletherapy model, helping you determine which format is best for you.

Pro: Teletherapy can save time and energy

Perhaps the best aspect of teletherapy is not having to leave your home, desk, or your sweatpants! Teletherapy can allow individuals to access high-quality care from the comfort of their own homes. It may even make the therapeutic process easier to have access to your own amenities and comfort objects. 

If you live a busy life, teletherapy can also allow for easier access to needed mental health care without taking up too much of your time off. You will not have to set aside one of your few days off, get ready, or drive to your appointment. The place that is most comfortable and private for YOU can become your therapeutic space. Just ensure that the space is truly private, and others are not within earshot. If the most private space for you is in your car, make sure that you are also parked in a private area, and that you are never driving during your therapy appointment. This can be very unsafe, and your therapist cannot continue with your appointment if you’re driving.

Con: The therapeutic relationship may seem less personal

One of the most common arguments against teletherapy is that the professional relationship between client and therapist may not feel as strong. Never (or rarely) meeting face-to-face may feel ingenuine for some, and others may not believe that they can be helped at all if they never meet their therapist in person. 

Evaluate your comfort level with technology. If you feel conflicted on this issue, it may benefit you to find a therapist that offers both in-person and remote sessions. You may be able to switch between the two formats as needed and determine what is most comfortable for you!

Pro: Teletherapy may provide more options

Teletherapy allows you to connect with therapists located all over your state, country, and sometimes the world. Because you are no longer limited to the therapists available in your area, you may be better able to search for a therapist who works with your specific concerns, provides the modality of therapy you want, and who truly understands you. The strongest limitation to this is that your therapist legally can only provide care to those residing in states they are licensed in. While this is their responsibility to ensure, it may help you to filter your internet search results by state/country.

Teletherapy may also provide more options in affordability. You can filter internet searches by your insurance, or by self-pay rates. There are some therapists who do not accept insurance but provide a much lower self-pay rate than others. Even if teletherapy is not your preferred format, it may be worth it to give it a chance if the perfect therapist or pay rate is only available virtually. 

Con: Confidentiality is more difficult to maintain

Confidentiality has been the largest concern for medical and mental health providers since the beginning of the pandemic. Technology is imperfect, hackers and malware may compromise personal information, and environmental factors could disturb the session on both the therapist and client’s ends. If this is a concern for you, there are safeguards that both you and your therapist can put in place.

Additionally, you should never be afraid to bring up this subject with your provider. Feel free to ask them what safeguards they have in place to protect your privacy. Are they using a secure internet connection? If not, are they using a VPN? What platforms do they use to communicate with you both during session and outside of session? Is their office door closed and locked? Is their door soundproof, or are they using a sound machine to muffle noise? These are all fantastic measures to implement yourself if you can do so, minimizing the risk of information leak. 

Pro: It may be easier to find support groups

Just as your options for a therapist are expanded with telehealth, you may also have more options in finding and selecting groups that are best for you. A wide variety of support groups, including alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder groups, eating disorder groups, and grief groups are available virtually. There may also be many more specific options available for certain diagnoses or life issues. In your immediate area, you may only have a few general group options to choose from, but teletherapy can provide dozens of options for the same concern, allowing you to find the group that works best for you.

Keep in mind that with any virtual group, there is always risk for confidentiality to be breached. A larger number of people means a larger number of computers, potentially unsecured spaces, or people who may inadvertently release private information. Your group leader/facilitator will most likely discuss the group’s rules regarding confidentiality.

Con: Conditions during therapy cannot be fully controlled

With teletherapy, distractors cannot always be prevented. Internet connections can be poor. We can experience a power outage. Dogs bark and cats flop onto keyboards. Children can knock on our office doors. The convenience of teletherapy is not without its drawbacks, and while many distractors can be quickly taken care of, they can hinder the session or interrupt the flow of thought.

Ultimately, the choice to engage in teletherapy is up to you. Spend some time thinking about your schedule, your therapeutic needs, the type of professional relationship you prefer, and any hindrances you may have toward either of the formats. Your therapist is here to work with you and help you determine what best fits your needs.