Online vs. In-Person Therapy: Is a 'Therapist Near Me' Right for You?

In today's digital age, therapy has evolved beyond the traditional in-person sessions. The rise of online therapy has opened up new avenues for individuals seeking mental health support. It's now easier than ever to connect with a therapist, whether they are in your neighborhood or across the state. This shift has also led to discussions about the effectiveness of online therapy compared to in-person therapy. Should you choose a 'therapist near me,' or is online therapy a viable option? In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of both approaches and help you determine what might be right for you.

The Changing Landscape of Therapy

Over the past few years, the field of mental health care has undergone a significant transformation. This transformation has given individuals greater flexibility in choosing their therapeutic path. It's important to recognize that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy; the best option for you depends on your specific needs, location, and circumstances.

The Pros and Cons of In-Person Therapy

Let’s start with discussing traditional in-person therapy. After all, that’s what most of us are used to. And to be honest, that’s still the bulk of what our therapists at Aspire do. All of us have at least some online clients and we’re happy to see clients online. However, all except two of our clinicians right now are in the office at least several days a week and we find that many of our clients still prefer those in person appointments.

In-Person Therapy

Pros:

1. Personal Connection: In-person therapy fosters a personal connection between the therapist and client, as they are physically present in the same room. This can help build trust and a sense of safety. I’m not sure why, but the truth is that there just seems to be something special about connecting in person.

2. Immediate Feedback: Therapists can provide immediate feedback during in-person sessions, helping clients understand their emotions and behaviors more effectively.

3. Non-verbal Cues: In virtual meetings, therapists and clients are able to be extra in tuned with one another facial expressions. However, in person sessions allows for more of an awareness of whole body non verbal cues which may reveal underlying emotions.

Cons:

Unsplash image found through squarespace on 10/19/23

1. Location Dependency: In-person therapy requires you to find a therapist who practices nearby, which may be challenging for individuals in rural areas or with limited mobility. For many of our clients living in more rural parts of Missouri, there are just fewer options for therapists. And, it can be especially difficult to find a therapist who specializes in an issue like OCD or teenage self harm behaviors or PTSD (some of the issues Aspire Counseling therapists frequently treat).

2. Time and Scheduling: Finding time for in-person sessions can be more challenging due to commute and scheduling constraints.

3. Potential Stigma: Some individuals may feel uncomfortable seeking therapy locally due to the potential stigma of being seen entering a therapist's office.

I remember the early days of Covid 19 when we first transitioned to 100% online counseling appointments, the number one thing I missed was getting a hot cup of tea between sessions and settling in with that cup with my clients. There’s just something about grabbing that cup of tea while my client grabbed their drink and/or snack and making silly small talk while we sat down. It felt more awkward to make that kind of small talk on a screen when we logged onto the computer. If I’m honest, I adjusted and my clients adjusted. And I think that now both my clients and I are much, much better at connecting virtually. But there’s still just something different about how people connect one on one. So, some clients still prefer to connect one on one.

The Pros and Cons of Online Therapy

As great as in person therapy is, the truth is that study after study has shown that online counseling gets just as good of results as in person counseling. Are you surprised? I’m serious. The research is really clear. In fact, there are a couple types of mental health interventions that some studies seem to indicate get even better results online. At Aspire Counseling, all of our therapists offer at least some counseling sessions online and we have two therapists right now who are exclusively online because there are some really great benefits. So, let’s dive into the pros/cons.

Online Therapy

Pros:

1. Accessibility: Online therapy is accessible to a wider range of individuals, especially those who live in remote areas or have mobility issues. This means that even if you reside in places like Kirksville or Maryville or rural regions in Missouri like Shannon County, you can still access quality therapy.

2. Flexibility: Online therapy offers flexibility in scheduling. You can connect with your therapist from the comfort of your home, office, or even while on vacation as long as you’re in the state of Missouri. Honestly, we’ve had many clients who have attended their counseling session during their lunch break from work. If you’re thinking about doing this, I recommend considering how you’ll transition to and from the therapy mindset. Try to give yourself a bit of a buffer between “work” and “therapy” and back to “work.” Also it’s critical to find a way to make sure you’re not interrupted during your therapy session, because it’s hard to be vulnerable and honest and open if you don’t have complete privacy.

3. Specialized Mental Health Care: Online therapy allows you to find a therapist who specializes in evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which can be particularly beneficial for specific conditions like OCD or disordered eating.

Cons:

1. Tech Challenges: Online therapy requires a reliable internet connection, a computer, or a smartphone, which not everyone may have access to.

2. Limited Non-verbal Cues: Online sessions may lack some of the non-verbal cues that in-person sessions provide. However, video calls offer more cues compared to text-based therapy.

3. Privacy Concerns: Some individuals may have concerns about the privacy of their online therapy sessions.

Who Can Benefit from Online Therapy?

Online therapy can be highly effective and suitable for various scenarios:

1. Busy Professionals: If your hectic work schedule makes it challenging to attend in-person sessions, online therapy provides a convenient option. You can have sessions during lunch breaks or between meetings.

2. Individuals in Remote Areas: If you live in less densely populated areas, like Barton County or Dent County in Missouri, where finding a nearby therapist is difficult, online therapy can connect you to specialists.

3. Evidence-Based Therapy: If you require a specialized therapy approach like CPT or DBT, online therapy can help you access therapists trained in these evidence-based treatments.

4. Frequent Travelers: For those who frequently travel for work or other commitments, online therapy ensures that you can maintain continuity in your therapeutic journey. However, it is important that at this point in time mental health professionals do have some restrictions related to when we can meet with you. In general, therapy is considered to be happening where you, our client, are located. Therefore, we have to be licensed in the state you are in when the session is taking place. So, if you frequently travel outside the state of Missouri you will still want to talk to your therapist about that.

5. Stressful Commutes: If your daily commute adds stress to your life, eliminating the need to travel to in-person sessions can be a relief.

6. OCD and ERP Therapy: Online therapy is highly effective for individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who benefit from Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. Your therapist can guide you through exposure activities wherever you experience anxiety.

Remember that therapy is a highly individualized process, and the choice between online and in-person therapy depends on your unique situation and preferences. So even if one of these applies to you, the decision to be primarily online or primarily in person for session really should be one you make in conversation with your own therapist based on your unique situation and needs.

Who Might Really Need that “Therapist Near Me?”

Above, we explored situations where online therapy shines. However, there are instances where in-person therapy remains the preferred choice due to specific needs and circumstances. Let's delve into scenarios where having a "therapist near me" becomes more crucial.

Young Children

In Lee's Summit, we are fortunate to have a therapist with specialized training in offering trauma therapy to children from birth through five years old. While she has provided therapy online during the COVID-19 pandemic, she strongly emphasizes that this type of work is most effective in person. Young children often thrive in an in-person therapy setting where they can engage through play, art, and direct interaction. For this population, in-person therapy is often more comfortable and productive.

Technology Struggles

Online therapy relies on technology, and not everyone is equally tech-savvy. Some individuals may struggle with the technical aspects of virtual therapy, finding it challenging to connect or navigate the online platform. If using technology consistently causes stress or becomes a significant hurdle, in-person therapy might be a more suitable option. Therapy should focus on your well-being, not your technological skills.

Severe Depression

When it comes to depression, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Some individuals find online therapy to be an excellent entry point because it requires less effort to get started. However, for those with severe depression who may benefit from the structure of an in-person appointment, in-person therapy can be more effective. The act of physically going to therapy can provide the motivation they need to leave their home and engage in the therapeutic process.

Family Sessions

While online family therapy sessions are entirely possible and, at times, necessary—especially when family members are in different locations—there are scenarios where in-person sessions are preferred. For example, working with a teenager with divorced parents living in different areas might lead to a more practical choice of conducting family sessions online. However, in-person sessions offer the advantage of direct observation of family dynamics and more interactive interventions. The choice often depends on the specific needs of the family.

Limited Social Interaction

Human connection is a fundamental need. Most of us seek opportunities for connection, especially in today's digital age. As discussed earlier, in-person sessions often foster a unique sense of connection between the therapist and the client. Some individuals who lack regular social interaction may find it easier to establish and maintain that connection in an in-person therapeutic setting.

A Final Word on the 'Therapist Near Me' Dilemma

Ultimately, the choice between online and in-person therapy depends on your individual circumstances and needs. Regardless of the method you choose, what matters most is finding a therapist who is a specialist, one you feel like you connect with, can trust and who can provide the support and guidance necessary for your unique situation.

Begin Counseling in Missouri…Online or in Person

You deserve healing. You deserve a life worth living. It’s time to reach your goals and to feel more like yourself. Don't hesitate to reach out to us at 573-328-2288 or fill out our online form to connect with one of our therapists. We're dedicated to helping you navigate your therapeutic journey and achieve your mental health and life goals. Our client care team will take the time to listen to what’s going on and help make sure we connect you with the right therapist to make sure you get the help you’re looking for.

Aspire Counseling is here to help. If you're looking for a 'therapist near me' in the Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Columbia or anywhere in Missouri, we offer both in-person and online therapy. We have counseling offices in Columbia as well as in Lee’s Summit. Furthermore, we can offer online counseling throughout Missouri. Our team of skilled therapists are trained in various evidence-based treatments and specialize in different areas including PTSD, disordered eating, depression, anxiety, teen counseling, support for college students, grief, DBT, EMDR, self harm and OCD.

In conclusion, the choice between online and in-person therapy depends on your unique needs. Finding a Missouri therapist who is a good fit is crucial, and Aspire Counseling is ready to provide you with the support you need.

About the Author

Jessica Tappana is the founder of Aspire Counseling. She sees clients at both our Mid-Misosuri and Lee’s Summit offices as well as seeing clients online. She loves trauma therapy and is trained in several evidence based treatments for trauma therapy as well as ERP to treat OCD. However, her favorite things to treat are panic attacks and nightmares because they respond so quickly to evidence based interventions. That said, she plans to take a 5 months break from clinical work in 2024 while she travels with her family though she will continue to serve as clinical director during that time remaining in close contact with the Aspire Counseling team through regular meetings, Zoom calls, emails, Google chats & more. Jessica has witnessed firsthand how high quality psychotherapy can change lives and it is her life’s mission to help more caring, skilled clinicians support the clients who need their help.