The decision to pursue psychotherapy can be a difficult one, even before having to consider whether virtual or in-person therapy sessions would work best for you. When deciding whether virtual or in-person sessions are the best option, it is important to weigh some of the pros and cons of each.

In-person psychotherapy has been around for decades, and provides an opportunity for clients to build relationships with their therapist in real life settings. This type of therapy allows clients to discuss their issues face-to-face while also being able to read body language cues that may not be as obvious during virtual sessions. In addition, some clients prefer the in-person experience because they feel it allows them more control over the therapeutic environment, such as by not having to worry about being overhead by family or friends, and being able to limit distractions that may come with being at home and on a computer or phone.

On the other hand, there are many advantages associated with virtual therapy, including the convenience and savings that come with not having to come to a physical location. Virtual therapy has also been shown to be just as effective as in person therapy, so you may still be able to make the same amount of progress. Those who live in rural areas can benefit from having virtual therapy since there may be a limited amount of resources and providers in their area. Furthermore, when there are medical issues that clients are facing, including those that can come with living with a mental health condition (e.g. panic attacks, fatigue, insomnia, headaches and nausea), being able to have therapy sessions at home can be incredibly helpful, and reduce stress levels associated with making an in-person trip.

Additionally, safety is a bigger concern with virtual sessions, as it is much more difficult to protect privacy and confidentiality when the client is at home where other people may overhear what is being said during the therapy session.

Despite these advantages, virtual psychotherapy session can have their own host of problems. There can be any number of technical issues that may impact whether or not the client or the therapist can actually join and participate in the session; this could be related to internet issues, device battery or cord issues, software crashes, power outages, and/or hardware issues (e.g. devices overheating). Some clients report that they are also distracted by how they look in their camera during the virtual session, and are not able to focus on the session itself. Having attention and focus issues can also make virtual sessions difficult to participate in, since there may be more distractions at home than in a therapy office. Additionally, safety is a bigger concern with virtual sessions, as it is much more difficult to protect privacy and confidentiality when the client is at home where other people may overhear what is being said during the therapy session.

Ultimately, it is up to each client to decide what works best for them when considering either form of treatment, so weighing out the available options before making a final decision is always recommended. Sage & Anchor offers both virtual and in-person sessions to all current residents of North Carolina, and we are here to help you find a way that works best for you, whether that is virtual, in-person, or a combination of both!