Is E-Therapy the Right Move For You?
You’ve undoubtedly seen e-therapy apps that offer virtual sessions with licensed professionals—but is this route truly the best option? Let’s dive into a few pros and cons of online therapy so you can make an informed decision!
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1. It’s More Convenient
As beneficial as physical therapy sessions are, they’re notoriously hard to schedule. Between your packed calendar and your therapist’s, it can sometimes be weeks before you’re penciled back in. Online therapy offers wider schedules and broader hours, which ensures you’re given time to speak.
2. Better Access to Remote Areas
We already hate to commute on a good day—but driving an hour to therapy exacerbates the stress. Remote clients don’t always have the same access to physical therapy, especially if they’re nestled out in the country. But online sessions let you connect regardless.
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3. It Can Be Just as Effective
While online therapy isn’t for everyone, many patients find that their needs are met with understanding and professionalism. Virtual therapists can be just as qualified as those you see in person, making it a viable option for concerns like anxiety.
4. Patients Are More Comfortable
Not every patient is comfortable commuting or even sitting face-to-face with a therapist. To keep peak comfort, some prefer the familiarity of their own home, especially safe spaces like an office or a bedroom.
5. Flexible Schedules
Online therapy better caters to chaotic schedules. Whether you work irregular hours or have a lot of late nights at the office, you can work around kinks in your calendar. At the end of the day, it’s one less thing to worry about.
6. Generally More Affordable
Depending on the kind of care you require, affordability isn’t always cheaper with virtual therapists. However, general therapy often works on a scale with online professionals, meaning you control just how much or how little you pour into their services.
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7. Continuous Care
Virtual therapy is great for anyone on the go. Some clients move to another state. Others bounce around for work. Whatever your situation, online therapists have an easier time treating you when you’re on the move.
8. Accommodates Disabilities
Mobility plays a big part in mental health care, making virtual therapy a great option for anyone with disabilities. Rather than worry about commuting or scheduling a ride to their therapist’s office, patients can still receive care from the comfort of their own homes.
9. A More Suitable Environment
It’s not always easy to open up in a new environment—let alone to an entirely new person. Some patients are more comfortable at home. That kind of familiarity allows people to articulate themselves better and be more vulnerable with their therapists.
10. Wide Range of Professionals
One of the best things about online therapy is that you aren’t necessarily restricted. From talk therapy sessions to more in-depth treatments like CBT, patients can comb through directories for access to specific professionals.
Though virtual therapy is a great tool for some people, there are common risks to learn about. Let’s dive into a few downsides you should keep in mind.
1. Technical Problems
As with anything online, virtual therapy can succumb to technical problems. Shoddy internet connections, scheduled maintenance, and even severe weather can hinder how often you speak with a professional.
2. Privacy Concerns
Registered therapists understand the importance (and legality) of confidentiality. However, sharing sensitive information online always comes with risks, and patients should be aware of the increased danger. Hacks or privacy leaks are much more prominent with online treatment.
3. Lost in Translation
The last thing you want is for anything to get lost in translation—but it’s a big risk with online treatment. An email won’t pick up on social cues. Phone calls can’t replace face-to-face communication. While it’s just as easy to smooth over a misunderstanding, some patients would rather not deal with the discomfort of going through it at all.
4. It’s Harder to Find a Good Therapist
The good news is that you can always scour the internet for a therapist’s credentials. The bad news is that it’s harder to gauge professionalism with a simple website. Meeting a therapist online isn’t the same as physically sitting down with them to see if they’re a good fit.
5. Tough to Build Relationships
Between misunderstandings and lost social cues, it’s harder to build relationships with your therapist online. A key part of progress is working with someone you truly get along with and you can’t always bridge the gap with a lack of intimacy or empathy.
6. You Have Complex Needs
Depending on the patient, online therapy isn’t exactly the top choice. Severe mental health concerns benefit more from physical therapy and a thorough plan for moving forward. More serious cases can also potentially experience self-harm or dangerous thoughts, which warrants in-person therapy.
7. Poor Crises Control
Online therapists may live in your phone but that doesn’t make them accessible 24/7. In the event of a crisis, they likely won’t be able to provide the assistance you need. Luckily, trained professionals are available through prevention centers and crisis hotlines.
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8. Insurance Companies May Not Cover It
Employee benefits don’t always cover therapy, let alone e-therapy. Though coverage varies by state, it’s important to check your plan and see how much assistance you actually have.
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9. You Might Prefer In-Person Sessions
There’s no shame in recognizing the right kind of therapy for you. If you tried e-therapy and prefer in-person sessions, don’t be afraid to do what’s best for you. Remember: virtual sessions don’t work for everyone. 
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10. Lack of Out-of-State Care
Many patients face a hard truth when they move to another state—their therapist can no longer treat them. The same goes for licensed online professionals; to continue treating you, they’d need to be licensed in both their home state and your new one. If you’re lucky, you’ll receive treatment for a short period before it’s time to find a new therapist.
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