Therapy: In-Person or Telehealth?

With the options of in-person sessions or telehealth, it can be tricky to know what is best for you. Here are the pros and cons of in-person and virtual counseling sessions.

While the pandemic has caused a lot of challenges for almost all of us, it has created some opportunities for growth in our society. One exciting change was the allowance of virtual counseling sessions for all counselors in the state of Colorado. This opened up the door to care for many people who could not access in-person sessions before. It also showed us some of the challenges for this type of counseling.

In-Person Sessions

The Pros: In-person sessions offer an environment that is completely focused on your therapy. You won’t have the distractions of laundry in the corner, pets needing to be let out, or an accidental visitor during your session. You and your counselor can fully see and hear each other’s tone and body language, which can help your counselor notice what is going on with you while you share. You also get to bring only what you choose to the session. This allows you to have a say in what you share and when you share it. Plus, therapists usually have comfy couches and nice scents in their counseling offices.

The Cons: It can be tough to schedule an appointment around work, childcare, or transportation. You will need to schedule the time to drive to your session and back, often adding some extra time for grounding if you had a particularly hard-working session. During the pandemic, you also risk exposure to another person and either passing on or contracting COVID-19. Therapists are also business owners and medical providers, so they might have local COVID considerations they need to follow.

Telehealth Sessions

The Pros: You can schedule your session in a place that is convenient and comfortable for you. Some people enjoy being in their homes with pets or items that are important to them. You could also be in a private room on a break at work or do therapy while a little one is napping. The state of Colorado also allows residents to continue receiving telehealth counseling while outside of the state, so you don’t have to worry about missing a session if you are on a trip*. You can still meet while avoiding potential COVID-19 exposure between you and your counselor. Some people also cannot drive for physical, legal, or financial reasons, so telehealth is a great way for them to get care.

The Cons: It can be hard to make sure your space is private, especially if you are in a more public place like a breakroom. Distractions also show up a lot, from kiddos popping in to the doorbell ringing or a pet needing to be let out. Important body language can get missed if your counselor can’t see very much of you. Depending on your counselor’s type of therapy, you might not have access to the different treatments they offer in telehealth. (Although here’s a tip: Every treatment I currently offer can be done in-person or virtually!) Finally, internet connections can cause problems, interrupting your hard work.

Things to Consider

Thanks to the wonder of research, we know that telehealth can be just as effective as in-person counseling**. That being said, it is up to you and your counselor to decide which option is right for you. If you choose the telehealth route, make sure you set yourself up for a great session. Avoid driving, cooking, or doing anything that could distract you or be dangerous. Engage just as much as you would in person. Consider putting your phone on Do Not Disturb so you don’t get notifications during your session. Finally, make sure you and your counselor have a backup plan in case your connection gets dropped. You can have a great therapy session in either setting.

You can find out more about telehealth and in-person services by scheduling a consultation call.