Online and in-person therapies are based on similar premises. Still, they have completely different delivery and boast unique advantages and drawbacks.
Since COVID days, the virtual method has become much more popular. Although lacking a personal touch, it makes up for it through convenience,” suggests Westside Psychology, depression therapy specialists. Nevertheless, the traditional method also has numerous upsides.
Before choosing one or another, you should revise your tech preferences. Many people don’t feel comfortable confiding to another person via video calls, which is why they go with the traditional therapy. Then again, there are also those who don’t want to be seen going to a shrink’s office.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive on both approaches. Hopefully, this will help you determine which method is better for you.
Explaining Traditional Therapy
Traditional, or otherwise known as in-person therapy, is the standard process of mental healthcare. During a session, a person will visit the therapist’s office or a treatment center. The therapist leads the conversation, talking about the person’s past life. They will specifically focus on trauma and unresolved emotions.
Most therapists put a lot of effort in creating an inviting, comfortable therapy space. They invest enormous money buying luxurious furniture, decorating the room, and using smooth lighting. Through a positive environment, therapists instill a feeling of comfort and security into their patients.
In most cases, therapies occur once a week. That way, patients have enough time to examine their emotions and feedback between sessions. Keep in mind that this number can increase based on your personal needs and whether you’re having a crisis.
Benefits of Traditional Therapy
- Non-Verbal Signs
People often tend to lie to themselves. Words can show a fraction of a person’s emotional state, which is why therapists put enormous efforts in deciphering non-verbal communication.
By examining these unconscious signs, a therapist can better assess an individual’s current mental state. They are able to gain more insights from their reactions. However, keep in mind that therapists can also see non-verbal communication via camera albeit at a lower level.
- Neutral Location
Some people are unable to share their pains from their home. For example, they might be having issues with their spouse or parents, which led to their misfortune in the first place. By having access to a neutral location, a patient can disclose their deepest secrets and open up to a professional.
- Full Support
For some people, the human closeness is vital for feeling positive about therapy. So, by having face-to-face conversations with an expert, they will be much more encouraged by the process and will keep coming back.
Drawbacks of Traditional Therapy
- Access
If you wish to talk to the best experts in the field, you could be forced to fly thousands of miles to another location. Even if they are close by, you still have to worry about the traffic, parking, and various fees.
Lack of access is especially troublesome for people working several jobs or those who have little kids. Eventually, the fact that your therapist isn’t close might dissuade you from working on yourself for a prolonged time.
- Timing
Virtual sessions make it much easier to schedule and reschedule, for both sides. Many therapists nowadays use virtual calendars that allow you to pick a time slot at your convenience. Furthermore, you no longer have to wait a long time due to delays caused by other patients.
Explaining Virtual Therapy
More and more professionals are turning their business into a completely virtual experience. This is now referred to as teletherapy or telepsychology, and it is mostly done via programs such as Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet.
While virtual therapy gives both sides much more freedom, it lacks the personal touch. Some people living in rural areas with poor internet might be frustrated by the call quality.
Benefits of Virtual Therapy
- Convenience
As mentioned several times over, convenience is the main reason to choose online therapy. It is as easy as Snapchatting with a friend or making a phone call. Furthermore, it allows you to chill at your home without having to worry about your appearance or logistics.
- Price
Due to increased convenience for therapists and the fact they don’t have ot rent an office, many professionals offer a significant discount. Online therapy is much cheaper by comparison, especially if you’re a regular.
- Reduced Scrutiny
Despite the therapists’ best effort, these experts tend to scrutinize patients based on their appearance. Sometimes, the physical aspects are so dominant that they might portray a wrong image about a person.
By having a video call without a camera on, the therapist will chat with a “faceless person.” This often improves results by reducing bias. However, it might also lead to wrong conclusions.
Drawbacks of Virtual Therapy
- Tech Reliance
Without a good device and connection, it’s really hard to have a proper conversation. So, if you started using this approach and changed location since, it might force you to completely change therapist (i.e., the Internet at your new home isn’t as good).
The same can be said for your therapist. If they decide to leave the country for whichever reason, or if something goes awry with their connection, you might be left stranded at a critical moment.
- Communication Limits
Whether you’re using texts, emails, phone calls, or camera, you’ll have some communication limitations. The biggest one is the fact that the psychiatrist can’t properly assess the person’s current state. Body language, in particular, is very limited, which might prevent the expert from giving a proper diagnosis.
- Privacy
You have much less privacy and confidentiality when using virtual therapy. People can listen to your conversation with some effort. Furthermore, having sessions from your home allows other family members to listen to your issues.
Traditional Vs. Virtual: Which to Choose?
Honestly, there isn’t a single answer to this question; it all depends on your preferences. Each of these has its benefits and drawbacks. Ultimately, you have to decide whether you prefer comfort or having a personal touch of your therapist.