Is Telehealth Therapy As Good As In Person Therapy?
Is Telehealth Therapy as Good as In Person?
“What does Telehealth mean exactly?”
“Is that as good as coming to therapy in person?”
“Which is better in your opinion?”
“Are there exceptions or concerns to be aware of?”
I am asked these questions so frequently during consultations and you know what, they are FANTASTIC QUESTIONS! I am going to answer them all here- but let me side step for a moment to throw out a little PSA - Never… Ever … EVER feel afraid to ask questions! Seriously no question is dumb! This is YOUR therapy and the more you know the more you will be able to make an informative decision for yourself and your mental health!
Ok now back to your awesome questions - “What is Telehealth mean exactly?” Well technically Telehealth means treatment delivered remotely through telecommunications technology. In real people speak, this means not in person, which for mental health therapy can include video sessions, phone calls or chat room sessions. Typically your average therapist who puts “Telehealth Only” means they only provide sessions via video and maybe phone calls, however companies like BetterHelp advertise the chatroom type sessions as well.
So now that we are clear on what it means, the next obvious question is of course “is that as good as coming to therapy in person?” In total therapist fashion the answer is…depends!
I know, not helpful compared to a straight yes or no but this is where you really are in control of your therapy experience. So what I always tell potential clients is it depends on what you are looking for in therapy. Here are some benefits to telehealth therapy:
Accessibility: Telehealth therapy makes mental health services more accessible to individuals who live in remote areas, have limited mobility, or are just really busy. It eliminates the need for travel which can be a benefit for many.
Convenience: With Telehealth you are able to schedule a session at a time that is convenient for you. Its ultimate flexibility for anyones schedule especially for those who have busy schedules, kids, commutes etc. that would make attending therapy in person challenging.
Comfort and Privacy: Lets be honest we are often coming to therapy to discuss some vulnerable parts of us. By engaging in Telehealth therapy you are able to have more control of your environment so that you feel as safe as possible. Want to be on your couch - go ahead, in your sweats - is there any other way? This is the Burger King method for mental health- it’s therapy your way!
Reduced Stigma: Lets face it we have come a loooong way in destigmatizing mental health but for many of us it’s still hard to make the leap. Telehealth is that bridge to therapy without feeling uncomfortable in a waiting room, feeling judged or worried if someone will overhear you etc.
Continuity of Care: Your therapists don’t mind if you show up to session with a runny nose, kids screaming in the background or anything we would classify as “life” but many of us do understand that “life” can get in the way of coming to therapy. Telehealth helps you to maintain your therapy journey without feeling like it adds additional stress and management to your life.
So the last question I get is often “ok makes sense, but which is better in your opinion?” Well, don’t kill me, but the answer is depends… on you! Here is the thing, Teleheath is super convenient to most people's busy lives. You get the same service from the same type of professional (in other words being online only doesn’t mean we are any less qualified or knowledgeable) but in an environment that works for you and your schedule; BUT I have some people that love and PREFER to come in the office. In my experience it is a vibe thing. For some people coming to therapy is a whole experience for them. I knew someone who would block her afternoon, take her time getting to the office, stop and grab coffee and loved coming and sitting in the peace and quiet of the office before session- for her meeting in person was a non-negotiable. For most of us we need some unbiased help but I am trying to fit that in between work, social obligations, kids etc. so not having to travel somewhere saves me time and allows me to have therapy where I fight not feel like I have time any other way.
Making sense, right? Of course it is reasonable to wonder if there are any concerns or things to be aware of and you would be right again! There are some modalities like EMDR that are better suited to being done in person although this is really going to depend on the therapist and their comfort level. So they may offer online services but don’t be surprised if you are looking for something and tend to see that they are only offered in person. Also, I’ll say it once as I have said a million times, or main priority is your SAFETY! If you are really struggling with depression and are having thoughts of self harm, I never recommend online therapy.
Ultimately, I would say do not be afraid of Telehealth therapy, but focus on your feeling when you are calling around to therapists. How do they sound, are the nice, do you connect with them etc? Feeling good about your therapist is the goal!
Wondering what else to think or look for when finding a therapist? Let’s connect. Sign up here for our email list and I will send you over my free Therapy for Beginners guide with more tips and tricks to finding the best therapist for you, along with a few beginners journal prompts to get you started on your journey!
Talk to you soon friend!
Cassaundra
** You or a loved one struggling with depression, thoughts of suicide or self harm, please call 988 to talk with a crisis counselor today.
