In-Person Therapy and Telehealth

Online vs. In-Person Therapy: The Pros and Cons

When it comes to psychotherapy, there are pros and cons to both in-person and online therapy. So, how can you tell which type of therapy is right for you?

Potential Pros of Online Therapy

You can receive therapy from the comfort of your home or while on the go.

You may have more flexibility with scheduling.

You save time by not having to commute to and from therapy.

Potential Cons of Online Therapy

It may feel challenging to build a relationship with your therapist.

You may feel less accountable for sticking to your treatment plan.

There can be technical difficulties and distractions

Potential Pros of In-Person Therapy

You can build a closer relationship with your therapist.

You may have stronger accountability for sticking to your treatment plan.

You may feel more comfortable talking about sensitive topics in-person.

Your therapist can pick up on nonverbal cues.

Potential Cons of In-Person Therapy

You may have less flexibility with scheduling.

You will have to travel to see your therapist.

Some clients experience a social stigma when going to in-person therapy, as arriving at an office and sitting in the waiting room with other clients can trigger feelings of vulnerability, especially for those who experience forms of social anxiety.

The bottom line is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing between online and in-person therapy.

The best way to decide which type of therapy is right for you is to consult a mental health professional to discuss your options.

Benefits of In-Person Psychotherapy

There is something magical about face-to-face human connection.

It’s impossible to replicate the feeling of being truly seen and heard by another human.

In-person psychotherapy offers the opportunity for that deep connection and understanding.

Face-to-face sessions also allow the therapist to get to know the patient better, which can lead to more effective treatment. Finally, meeting with a therapist in person can help create a stronger sense of accountability and motivation to change.

If you’re considering starting psychotherapy, meeting with a therapist in person may be the best way to get the most out of your treatment.

Access In-Person Psychotherapy in New York

At Inside Psychotherapy, we offer in-person psychotherapy to patients in New York City.

Our team of highly trained and experienced therapists can help you with a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and more.

If you’re interested in meeting with one of our therapists, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you on your journey to mental wellness.

Telehealth: Get Mental Health Treatment From Home

Telehealth was in the very early stages as a treatment option before the Covid 19 pandemic. Since spring 2020, Telehealth has literally reshaped the field of mental healthcare.

While many people, therapists, and clients alike, are longing to return to in-person sessions, Telehealth as a viable mental health care treatment option is here to stay.

And studies show that its effectiveness, along with convenience, removes many of the geographical and time barriers people have faced when looking to begin psychotherapy.

There are many reasons why you may not be able to attend in-person therapy sessions.

Perhaps you don’t have the time to commute, or you don’t have access to transportation. Or maybe it’s just that your mental or physical health struggles make it difficult for you to leave home.

Regardless of what your barriers are, Telehealth is a viable option for in-state mental health care.

Want to Learn More About Telehealth?

If you’re interested in exploring telehealth as an option for mental health treatment, we would be happy to speak with you about it.

Benefits of Telehealth

Improved Convenience

One benefit of telehealth is that it’s more convenient than traditional in-person therapy. There’s no need to take time off work or away from your family to commute to therapy appointments.

Greater Flexibility

Telehealth also offers greater flexibility when it comes to scheduling appointments. For example, finding time for therapy appointments can be challenging with your busy balance between work, home, and social life. With telehealth, you have increased scheduling flexibility.

Drawbacks of Telehealth

One drawback of Telehealth is the loss of the in-person connection with your therapist. There is a familiarity that comes with seeing your therapist on a regular schedule, in a physical space that becomes the place where you do your deepest and most personal inner work, free of distractions.

While time-consuming, the commute to and from psychotherapy can also be a useful time to review what you want to talk about and reflect on what you covered in your session.

If you elect to use telehealth for your mental healthcare, we encourage you to consider setting aside even a little bit of time to yourself before and after your session for this reflection time. It’s easy to jump off a work call, join a video session with your therapist, and then get right back to your busy schedule. But that may not best serve you in your therapeutic process.

Finally, Telehealth is uniquely prone to distractions. When you’re on your computer, you cannot help but notice emails, texts, and other notifications pop up. These can get in the way of your ability to concentrate on your therapeutic work. When enjoying the convenience of telehealth, we urge you to free yourself of distractions during your session as much as you can.

What to Expect From a Telehealth Consultation

A telehealth consultation is similar to an in-person therapy session, except it takes place over the phone or via video chat. Inside Psychotherapy uses a HIPAA-compliant confidential video conferencing platform for secure video visits with your therapist.

The goal of telehealth is to provide you with the same high-quality mental health care that you would receive in person, but without the need to leave your home.