Why not Online Therapy?

I often hear from people, if I were to do therapy, I would want it to be in-person. I think the assumption there is that Online Therapy is not as effective - that perhaps the transfer and healing of emotions and learning of mindfulness techniques is better in-person.

A quick Google Scholar Search on this topic suggests that online therapy can be just as effective for treating anxiety and depressionhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1357633X17717402 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cpp.2594

As a therapist who only practices online currently, I am biased. I feel just as effective in my online practice as I do in person. In fact, when I worked for Kaiser Permanente, my in-person clients would switch to Telehealth because they wanted to avoid the LA traffic and parking.

Benefits

1. Online therapy makes therapy more accessible.

2. Reduced costs can be transferred to client.

3. Therapy from the comfort of your home.

4. A natural boundary in an otherwise intimate setting.

Limitations

1. Safety concerns such as active suicidal ideation should be treated in-person and with higher level of care.

2. Other acute conditions such as psychosis are better treated in-person with support from Doctor, Case Manager, and an entire team.

Personal reflection

This may surprise people, but I feel everything through the screen. Sometimes before even a word is said, I can feel the emotions transmitted through my monitor and speaker. Sure, it’s human emotion and words transcribed through a litany of code, but I still feel deeply connected with the person on the other side.

If I may offer a metaphor, have you ever been moved by a song? or a scene in a movie? I personally have been moved to tears watching different movies including Inside Out 2 and Lalaland. The emotional energy and depth is conveyed and felt regardless of it being recorded and on-screen.

In therapy, I strive to create an environment for one to deep dive into who they are and what they are experiencing. My clients develop deep understandings, unlearn difficult thoughts patterns or unhealthy habits, and practice skills they can use for the rest of their lives. These happen regardless of whether therapy is online or in-person. These happen within a foundations of healthy therapeutic relationship.

My work

Yoojin Nam LMFT is the author of Thinking to Feel. He has been providing psychotherapy for 7 years and is licensed to practice in CA & TX.

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Disclaimer: These posts are not a replacement for therapy. The information contained within is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be therapeutic advice.