Pros and Cons of Online Therapy

“The time is now. Stop hitting the snooze button on your life.”
— Mel Robbins

Are you considering starting, or switching to online telehealth therapy? In the face of the social distancing measures required in our current COVID-19 crisis, many in-person psychotherapies are moving online out of necessity. The internet has opened up new options for mental health treatment, but there are some pros and cons you should consider before you decide if telehealth is right for you.

I’ve been conducting therapy exclusively online for the past three months. Prior to COVID-19, I had conducted therapy in a traditional face-to-face format ever since I first opened my practice. My initial reaction upon learning that I would have to make the switch to telehealth was apprehension. I wondered: How would this work? Will patients even want to do telehealth? What are the possible pros and cons? What if there are technical issues?

As the months have gone by, I’ve discovered that most of my worries have been unfounded.

Online therapy will be the way to go for the foreseeable future and is still gaining momentum. I feel that sharing what I’ve learned may be useful to new therapy seekers as well as providers.

Potential benefits of online therapy include:

  • Greater flexibility and convenience in scheduling.

  • Save time by not having to drive to and from appointments.

  • Eliminates fears of running into people you may know in the waiting room.

  • Feeling more comfortable in a familiar setting, which often enhances vulnerability and willingness to disclose.

  • Access to mental health treatment for people who live in remote areas, or who live far from their desired therapist.

  • Accessibility for people with physical limitations.

Potential cons of online therapy include:

  • Occasional technological glitches such as inconsistency in internet connection strength or problems with the video chat platform.

  • Many state laws require that a person using distance therapy must be located in the same state in which the therapist is licensed, which may limit your options.

  • Care must be taken by patient and therapist to ensure full privacy, safety, and confidentiality.

  • Therapists and patients often cannot properly see facial expressions or body language, which are important for full communication.

  • Online therapy is not appropriate for serious psychiatric illnesses.

Have you discovered any other pros or cons?

Do you have other questions or concerns about telehealth?

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