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Therapy: Online vs In-Person

Often, the most significant step on the road to recovery is accepting that therapy can and will help us. Some of us might not recognise the benefits of seeking therapy, while others will want to ‘tough it out’ on their own. But, once we come to the realisation that therapy is something that is there to support us and not to shame us, we can start on the path to a healthier mindset. However, even before we can take the first step forward, we need to decide what format of therapy we want to take. In our advanced technological age, we don’t even need to leave our home to benefit from therapy by having online sessions via messaging or Skype with our therapists. Or, you can go down the more traditional route and speak with someone face-to-face. So, which is the best option for you? Read on to learn about both online and in-person therapy sessions and how both of them can benefit you in different ways. Based on your location, schedule and personality, one might suit you more than the other; so, rather than waste time trying out both, get a better idea of what route you should take now.

Online: Easy to Access

Online therapy is perfect for someone who can’t access local in-person therapy or who doesn’t live near a therapist suited to them. Not all of us live in the city with thirty or more different therapists to choose from. Some of us have less choice or live so far out in the middle of the countryside that we have to travel quite a while to get to a therapist’s office. Rather than burn our petrol every week trying to get to a therapy session, online therapy can give you your session from the comfort of your home. For online therapy, it’s as easy as logging into your computer and waiting for that Skype call. You can speak with and listen to your therapist on your couch, in the home office or even in bed if that suits you. Even if you do live near a therapist, the lack of driving ability could prevent you from making it to sessions, and public transport might not always be reliable either. But, you shouldn’t let these situations hold you back and instead, look into online therapy as an alternative and salvation for your situation.

In-Person: More Human Approach

If you can get to a therapist in-person, then this is a preferred approach. Being able to converse with someone face-to-face makes for a more personal approach to your therapy. With a screen and distance between you and your therapist, online therapy can hinder you from building a relationship with your therapist. Relationship building is necessary for you to trust your therapist and open up about your thoughts and feelings. Without this, you might not feel comfortable telling your therapist things that are essential for you moving forward and working towards a brighter future. In-person, you can feel more relaxed and open to sharing memories, stories, thoughts and feelings that help a therapist determine the best way of supporting you. You get a feel of the person you are sharing everything with and can be more comfortable in understanding their role as a therapist and yours as their client.

Online: Easier for Nervous People

Some people might be seeking help through therapy because of their depression or anxiety which they want to dispel for good. But, at the moment, these mental health problems could be preventing them from getting out of the house easily and speaking to anyone. This can make going to see a therapist hard and it might even put them off therapy all-together. Online therapy makes starting the journey of recovery easier for people like this who find stepping out of the door or talking to strangers terrifying. You can have your session from the comfort of your own home and around your schedule. Often, diving straight into the deep end doesn’t work for everyone, so don’t force yourself to be in an uncomfortable situation until you’ve at least started working on your issues with a therapist.

In-Person: More Focused

When you have online therapy, you are often in your own home during the session. While this can be more comfortable and easier for some people, it can also lead to distractions. Maybe your pet is causing havoc or acting cute across the room, or you have children bursting in and distracting you; this can make it hard getting into the right zone for a therapy session. When you are at home, you have your ‘home head’ on and are alert for family emergencies or situations that you would typically involve yourself in. Even if you have locked yourself away from everyone in the bedroom, you still might be distracted by things that you can hear. In-person therapy takes these distractions away by giving you an hour to isolate your thoughts and focus on the session. By being in a room with just your therapist, you aren’t worried about your child who can’t find their football kit or the dog who is having a mad buzz around the house. You make the most out of the time you are paying for; leading to you see a start in progress. This, combined with the human approach that face-to-face therapy provides, makes it the ideal route for therapy for you if you can commit to it. Check out my website today if you want to learn more about my services as a therapist. Situated in Warrington, I am at an ideal location to meet with clients across the North West who understand therapy can benefit their situation. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]