Online, or distance, therapy is a method of mental health counseling through digital communication mediums. Depending on the therapy site or app you choose, you may have access to video chatting, instant messaging, voice messaging, or text messaging. For some situations, online therapy can be a great asset; however, this doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for everyone or every situation. Despite recent research suggesting online therapy can be very helpful, some mental health professionals still question its effectiveness. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of online therapy.
Pro: Online therapy is easier to access.
People who live in small towns or rural areas often have limited access to mental health care. Online counseling offers an alternative to driving hours away to see a good counselor or psychologist. Similarly, individuals with disabilities that limit movement or driving may have difficulties getting out of the house and to an office. In these situations, online therapy sessions are much more feasible.
Con: Prices can be deceiving.
Many patients think online counseling sessions are less expensive than face-to-face therapy. While this can be true, if you’re expecting to pay little to nothing, most of the time you’re going to be disappointed. While some sites and apps charge a flat monthly fee, others charge per email exchange (roughly $25-$150 for a pair of emails to and from the patient) or by the minute for voice, text, or video chatting. A one hour session can quickly add up to as much as $250. Additionally, many health care plans cover face-to-face therapy, but most don’t cover online therapy. Ultimately, you may be paying the same amount, while missing out on the human interaction aspect of counseling.
Pro: It’s easier for some patients to be honest and open remotely.
Discussing dark secrets and intense feelings can be really difficult when you’re looking directly into the eyes of someone you don’t know very well. For this reason, distance counselors that offer text messaging, emailing, or phone services make it easier to really explore the depths for shy individuals.
Con: Ethical codes and licensing can be questionable.
Unfortunately, fooling patients can also be much easier online. It’s be a little harder to look into a therapist's credentials when you can't see the certificates on their walls. If you’re chatting with a therapist from another state, it's important to make sure that they're licensed in your state. Additionally, it can be difficult to find a private area for video chats or phone calls, although online therapy does try to mitigate that issue by offering things like emails and text messaging therapy. However, this can raise privacy concerns as well -- you then have to question how protected the company's server is. Always make sure to do a little research before choosing a service. If the site isn’t HIPAA compliant and doesn’t provide a way to verify both parties’ identities, look elsewhere.
Pro: It can be easier to schedule online therapy sessions.
Distance therapy can be much easier to manage if you have a busy schedule. With a hectic schedule, individuals are much more likely to talk to someone online or in a text messaging therapy session during a lunch break than to go to a counselors office. Face-to-face therapy demands not only the time spent actually talking to a therapist but also driving to and from the office.
Con: Face-to-face therapy offers some things distance therapy just can’t.
While internet therapy can be great for issues like addiction counseling, serious psychiatric disorders don’t see the same benefit. Plus, when you’re sitting across from your counselor, it gives them the ability to study your face, vocal inflections, and body language. Distance therapy leaves out at least part, if not all, of those very vital clues.
