Online Therapy vs In-person: What’s best for you?

You’ve decided therapy might be a good idea (go you), but now you’re stuck on the next question: Should I see a therapist online or in-person?

It’s a bit like deciding between brunch at your favourite café or a cosy takeaway at home. Both are great options; they just have different vibes. Let’s break it down.

The Case for Online Therapy

Online therapy has boomed in recent years, and for good reason. Imagine logging into your session in your comfiest pyjama bottoms while your therapist only sees the professional-looking top you threw on. Pure convenience.

Perks of Online Therapy:

• 🕒 Time saver: No travel, no parking, no “sorry, the train was late.”

• 🏡 Comfort: Be in your own safe space (bonus if your pet decides to cameo).

• 🌏 Access: Perfect if you live rurally or just don’t vibe with the limited local options.

• 😌 Less pressure: Sometimes it’s easier to open up when you’re not face-to-face.

Potential Downsides:

• Wi-Fi decides to freeze on your most vulnerable moment.

• No sneaky post-therapy coffee run ritual.

• Home distractions (looking at you, laundry pile 👀).

The Case for In-Person Therapy

Sometimes nothing beats the energy of sitting in a room with someone who gets it. In-person sessions bring that face-to-face connection and sense of stepping outside your daily chaos into a therapeutic bubble.

Perks of In-Person Therapy:

• 🤝 Human connection: Subtle body language and shared space can feel grounding.

• 🚪 Change of scene: Leaving the house = instant mental reset.

• ☕ Rituals: That after-session coffee or walk can be part of the healing.

Potential Downsides:

• Commute time (traffic does not care about your mental health).

• Less flexible scheduling.

• Limited therapist choice if you’re in a smaller area.

So… Which One’s Best?

Here’s the thing: it depends on you.

If you thrive on face-to-face connection, love a good ritual, and don’t mind the travel, in-person might be your jam.
If you crave flexibility, comfort, and a wider choice of therapists, online therapy could be your perfect match.

The real winner? The fact that you’re considering therapy at all. That’s the biggest step. Whether you’re on a comfy couch at home or in a therapy chair across from a warm smile, what matters most is finding the support that works for you.

Pro tip: Don’t overthink the “mode.” The biggest step is deciding to start therapy in the first place. Whether you’re in trackies at home or in a waiting room, the important part is that you’re getting support.

FAQs: Online vs In-Person Therapy

1. Is online therapy as effective as in-person?
   Yes! Research shows online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions for many issues like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. The key is finding a therapist and approach that feels right for you.

2. Is online therapy secure?
   Absolutely. We use Coviu: a secure, healthcare-grade platform designed to protect your privacy.

3. What do I need for a session?
   Just a device with internet, a private space, and yourself. Bonus points if you bring tea, pets, or a cosy blanket.

4. Can I switch to in-person later?
   Our clinic is telehealth-only, which means we focus on doing online therapy really, really well. If you ever want in-person, we’ll help guide you to services that offer it.

5. How do I choose?
   Ask yourself: Do I value convenience or face-to-face presence more right now? Your answer may shift over time, and that’s perfectly normal.

Whether you’re logging in from your couch or sitting across from your therapist in the room, therapy is about creating space for healing, and that’s what really matters.

At recoverED Clinic, we believe therapy should be accessible, flexible, and stigma-free. That’s why we’ve gone 100% telehealth, so you can get the support you need, wherever you are.

Final thoughts: Recovery is possible, recovery looks different for everyone, and we’ll walk with you until you feel recoverED.