Choosing between in-person therapy and online therapy is an important decision that many people struggle to make. Every treatment approach comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The right choice depends on each person’s individual needs and circumstances. If you’re wondering which type of therapy is best for you, we’ll help you decide.
What is therapy?
Psychotherapy or psychological therapy is a complex process of psychological support and therapeutic intervention. Each person who comes to therapy has a different goal. In general terms, we say that it helps people understand and manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviors to improve their mental and emotional well-being.
The therapeutic process is guided by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. The therapy is based on communication between the patient and the therapist, using techniques supported by scientific evidence. Its application is versatile, as it can contribute both to self-knowledge and personal development, as well as to the treatment of diagnosed mental disorders. Psychotherapy and medication are two forms of treatment that complement each other very well and are not mutually exclusive. Although, in some cases, one or the other modality may be chosen, depending on the situation, the pathology and the decision of the patient.
The evolution of psychological therapy
For decades, individual psychotherapy has traditionally been carried out in an office in a healthcare centre. Patients would attend a face-to-face session with their therapist. Until 2020, this in-person therapy format largely predominated over the online format. However, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in a context of technological development marked a turning point in human communication, both personal (video calls) and professional (teleworking). With confinement measures and the need to avoid contagion, many medical and psychological consultations were forced to quickly adapt to the online format. What began as a temporary solution for an exceptional situation soon demonstrated its own benefits. Today, videoconferencing is an alternative to face-to-face communication in psychological and psychiatric care, accounting for half of consultations in some cases.
The online format also offers greater flexibility in scheduling. Patients can schedule their sessions at more accessible times and reduce the time spent commuting. This convenience has led many people to prefer online therapy, even after the end of pandemic restrictions.
In-person therapy
In-person therapy takes place in a physical setting, such as a doctor’s office or clinic, where the patient and therapist meet face to face. This modality has traditionally been used in psychological and medical practice. It is characterized by direct interaction and physical contact in the same space.
In the USA, face-to-face therapy must always be carried out in a health centre authorised by the competent authorities of the health department of the autonomous community in which it is located. This is an essential requirement. In addition, the psychotherapist must be a health professional.
Advantages of in-person therapy
- Direct personal interaction: Face-to-face therapy allows for face-to-face communication, facilitating the interpretation of non-verbal signals such as gestures, postures and facial expressions, which enriches mutual understanding between therapist and patient.
- Controlled environment: Attending a consulting room provides a neutral and safe space, free of distractions, where the patient can fully focus on their therapeutic process.
- Emotional connection: Physical presence can strengthen the therapeutic relationship, creating a sense of closeness and trust that fosters emotional openness.
Disadvantages of in-person therapy
- Geographical limitations: The need to travel to the health center can be an obstacle for those who live in remote areas or have limited mobility.
- Rigid schedules: Appointment availability may be limited, making it difficult to accommodate work or personal schedules.
- Additional costs: Transport costs and, above all, the time spent travelling can represent an additional burden for the patient.
Online Therapy
Online therapy, also known as videoconference therapy or online therapy, is carried out through digital platforms using video calls from a computer or mobile phone. Platforms such as Skype, Zoom, Google Meet or WhatsApp video calls are used, all of which are very secure as they have end-to-end encryption and other security measures that guarantee confidentiality.
Online psychotherapy has made it possible to democratize access to psychological care. Thanks to the possibility of conducting sessions from home, people who live in remote areas or far from large cities can now access specialized treatment without having to travel. This modality has also proven to be useful for those who have difficulty reconciling their work or family schedules with a face-to-face appointment.
Advantages of online therapy
- Accessibility and convenience: Online therapy allows access to mental health services from anywhere with an internet connection, eliminating geographical barriers and facilitating the continuity of treatment.
- Flexible hours: It offers greater flexibility in schedules, allowing sessions to be scheduled at times that are more convenient for the patient.
- Anonymity: By receiving therapy from a familiar environment, some people may feel more comfortable and less exposed to social judgment.
Disadvantages of online therapy
- Limitation on non-verbal communication: The absence of physical interaction can make it difficult to interpret non-verbal signals. For this reason, it is very important that both patient and therapist are in a well-lit room and make sure that the camera is well focused and framed on the face.
- Connectivity issues: Internet connection problems or technical failures may interrupt sessions, affecting the continuity of treatment.
- Digital divide: Not all people are used to using technology.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
In recent years, there has been a lot of research into whether online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy. Various studies comparing the two treatment modalities have been able to prove that online therapy is effective and a valid treatment option for mental health. It has been proven that the therapeutic alliance is similar in online therapy and in-person therapy. Let us remember that psychotherapy is based on a relationship of trust between the patient and the therapist. We call this relationship of trust the therapeutic alliance. On the other hand, the effectiveness of online therapy and its non-inferiority to in-person therapy in reducing symptoms has also been demonstrated.
In summary, when faced with the question of whether therapy is better than face-to-face therapy, we can say that online therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy. Always considering that face-to-face therapy offers greater possibilities for non-verbal communication, while online therapy is more accessible, convenient and flexible in terms of schedules. Each person will have a different preference based on their personal circumstances.
“ Online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy. ”
Which to choose: online or in-person therapy?
The choice between in-person and online therapy should be based on an assessment of personal needs, the nature of the difficulties to be treated, and individual preferences. Factors such as convenience, accessibility, severity of symptoms, and age of the patient are essential to consider.
Online psychotherapy is not suitable for children, especially younger ones, as it is difficult for them to maintain their attention in front of a screen during the course of the consultation. In addition, we must bear in mind that a large part of the examination and treatment in a child psychology consultation is carried out through play and drawing.
Videoconference therapy is also not the preferred option for severe clinical cases or for people at risk of suicide. In these cases, face-to-face therapy is often more appropriate because the physical presence of another person facilitates emotional support.
On the other hand, online therapy is very suitable for those people who do not have easy access to a psychological consultation, either due to distance, reduced mobility or lack of time. Online therapy can be carried out from any place that is calm, quiet and guarantees privacy and confidentiality. In addition, it can be done from a mobile phone with all the security guarantees that the usual videoconferencing platforms can offer.
Both in-person and online therapy have advantages and disadvantages that can influence the choice of treatment. The decision on which is most suitable must be personalized, considering the circumstances and preferences of each person. At Clamon Counseling, we offer Online therapy to adapt to the diverse needs of our patients. Our team of professionals is committed to offering personalized support, whether in person or online, always guaranteeing the highest quality and confidentiality in the treatment.
Why choose Clamon Counseling?
The professionals who collaborate and work at Clamon counseling are all psychiatrists and clinical psychologists assigned to our health centre in Texas. It is the online mental health center with the largest number of therapists in Texas. Clinical psychology is a specialty with an additional qualification to that of a degree or bachelor’s degree, which today can only be obtained by completing the PIR (resident internal psychologist). The title of clinical psychologist or psychologist specialising in clinical psychology is equivalent to that of a specialist doctor. Therefore, the clinical psychologist is different from the general health psychologist, who only has a master’s degree and has not obtained the official title of clinical psychologist. Below, you can click on the images to meet our team of clinical psychologists collaborators in online therapy.
