Monthly Archives: March 2019

The Differences Between In-Person Therapy And Online Therapy

Online therapy versus in-person therapy

online therapy

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Online therapy versus in-person therapy, which type of therapy is better for mental health treatment? Are online therapy services exceptional compared to in-person therapy? Choose between online therapy versus in-person therapy.

Our world continues to digitize our practices. Therapy is no exception. With such constant changes, we lose and gain factors that may both improve or decrease the quality of desired outcomes. This case is quite similar to online therapy platforms and in-person mental healthcare treatment options. Online therapy and in person sessions have some advantages and disadvantages. However, they are still valid therapy sessions for treating mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and more. Here are some of the online and traditional therapy advantages and disadvantages.

Online Therapy And In-Person Therapy Difference

What Is In-Person Therapy?

Offline mental health services options are in-person sessions where a patient visits a licensed mental health therapist’s office or clinic. It’s the traditional, in-person method that a therapist might use. Here, there is a traditional interaction and at times, physical support and assistance. Each phase of the traditional therapy session is conducted regularly in the therapist’s office.

Online versus in-person therapy is a debate that’s been going on for a while, especially for people with severe mental illness. While health insurance companies cover both types of therapy, online therapy is becoming increasingly popular for anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses. Online therapy can be more accessible and convenient with a virtual therapist, especially for people who live in remote areas, have limited mobility, or struggle with transportation. However, a reliable internet connection is crucial for effective online therapy, and many insurance companies don’t cover it. Additionally, traditional therapy can offer additional nonverbal insights that virtual therapy may lack. Ultimately, the choice between online and traditional therapy depends on personal preferences, health, and individual circumstances.

Traditional therapy

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What Are The Advantages Of Traditional Therapy Sessions?

  1. Comfortable Environment

The fact that the patient and therapist are in face-to-face sessions enables the licensed therapist to build an emotional rapport with the help of body language or nonverbal cues. Through this, you get to build a comfortable relationship with your patient. They are more likely to be open about their mental health issues and mental health problems.

  1. Physical Assistance

Physical assistance and professional support are essential for licensed therapists. It becomes possible to obtain a proper diagnosis of the patient’s mental health condition if they are there with them. Also, this is a necessity for those undergoing physical intervention. By being with their clients, the therapists can conduct regular check-ups in person. Doing so allows them to create the most suitable therapy session plan for their clients.

  1. All Around Help

Specific remedies help you physically, emotionally, and mentally. More options are available through offline therapy sessions. The counselor can visually check for both your internal and external condition and mental health needs. The process is almost like “hitting two birds with one stone.”

In-Person Therapy Disadvantages

  1. Lack Of Immediate Responses

You first need to check the schedule of a licensed therapist in your area. There are times when they are unavailable or the therapist’s office is inaccessible. If you are looking to address your mental health issue as soon as possible, this may not be the service appropriate for your mental health needs.

  1. Difficult For Some People

Some patients remain quiet during in-person sessions. They are unwilling to cooperate or talk to the therapist. This conduct is the case for those struggling with social anxiety or who are merely embarrassed to talk about their mental health problems.

Online Therapy Platform Guide

Online or virtual therapy setup involves the provisioned use of an internet connection. Virtual therapy sessions typically come in different platforms such as email, video conferencing, or real-time chat. This type of virtual therapy service generally is for mental health conditions and nutritional treatment.

The debate between online versus face-to-face therapy is ongoing, but with insurance coverage increasingly available for both, it’s worth considering the unique benefits of each. Virtual therapies, often conducted via video chat, gain popularity in recent years as a way to reduce symptoms from the comfort of the client’s environment. While face-to-face therapy offers additional nonverbal insights with the help of an insurance company, virtual therapy can be more accessible and convenient, especially for people with mobility issues or who live in remote areas.

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“Bipolar I includes very clear manic episodes that are hard to miss, whereas bipolar II doesn’t necessarily have that.” – says Sally Winston, PsyD.

Virtual Therapy Treatment Advantages

  • Much Cheaper

There are times when mental health professionals are unavailable. Due to this, you may end up with an expensive one or unable to go at all. Getting therapy online is a different story. Online counseling experts and therapists, on the other hand, are a cheaper alternative. You can also cut off expenses from traveling to their offices for face-to-face therapy by just connecting virtually.

  • Logistical Availability

Some mental health issues hinder you from going out, and it makes it harder for you to treat your mental health condition. Therefore, some prefer easy access to virtual sessions where they can get help in the comfort of their own home especially if they are far from any available mental health treatment in your area or rural areas.

  • Confidential

Some treatment services using virtual therapy allow their patients to remain anonymous. Instead of asking for their patient’s name and other private information, they will only ask for their method of payment and email. The patient can prevent their friends and family from knowing that they are undergoing therapy sessions.

“While bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) might sound similar at first, aside from a few symptoms the two have in common—impulsivity, promiscuity, and rage—the conditions are actually very different.” – Kathleen Cairns, PsyD

Virtual Therapy Treatment Disadvantages

  • Limited To Some Mental Issues

This form of therapy services works best for clients undergoing anxiety or depression. It also offers advice on stress management, career, and relationship issues. Those in need of physical intervention may not find the services they need through words they only hear or read. Also, treatment options including Art, Music, Eye Movement Edenization, and Reprocessing Therapy are almost impossible to conduct.

  • Restrictions In Interactions

The relationship between patient and therapist is built on trust, so it might not be as effective as in person in that respect. With the lack of specific interactions, it may be hard for the professional to see improvements or changes in patients. Pieces of advice may not always work out for the best especially when you only see improvement through words. It is for the case of therapies done through real-time chat or email.

Insights And Takeaway

When it comes to online versus in-person therapy, finding the right therapist or new therapist is key to treating your health conditions. While cost can vary depending on the provider and the type of psychotherapy being offered, more people are turning to online as a convenient option that allows them to participate from the comfort of their own homes. For example, some people may prefer traditional for the opportunity to meet face-to-face with their therapist and establish a deeper connection.

Both mental health support and mental health services have their advantages and disadvantages. Being aware and informed of the pros and cons of online and face-to-face therapy allows you to choose the most suitable one for your mental health needs. Hopefully, this article gave you a better insight into choosing the best option for treatment between in-person and virtual therapy.

“Depression treatment that works for one person, however, may not work for another. That’s because depression varies from one person to the next – in severity and type.” – Beth Esposito, MS, LPCC-S, LSW

FAQs

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Bipolar Disorder And Anxiety Issues

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People have their ups and downs from time to time. This is why it is not a surprise if anxiety takes place. No one can tell who’s going to have it or when it’s going to happen. Though it is natural for a person’s mood to change now and then, still, there are instances when the anxiety levels become too much.

“If we feel anxious, most of us believe we need to get ourselves under control.” – Alicia H. Clark, PsyD

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