Is in-person therapy the right choice for you?
Online therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s certainly convenient. It reduces travel time, travel costs, and makes it possible to work with therapists from anywhere, as long as they’re licensed to work with clients in your state.
Despite its growing acceptance, in-person therapy remains desirable due to several critical aspects. These include the quality of communication, the overall therapeutic environment, and the development of what’s referred to as a strong therapeutic alliance.
The quality of communication in in-person therapy is unmatched. There’s a famous statement attributed to Albert Mehrabian, “93% of communication in nonverbal.” Meaning, nonverbal cues and the ‘way’ we say something account for much more than what we actually say. And while we can debate the breakdown, it’s safe to say that body language, facial expressions, and eye contact are all essential components of effective communication.
These more subtle cues convey more than words alone and provide therapists with valuable insight into a client’s emotional state. Online therapy, even with a camera turned on, can limit these non-verbal signals.
The setting – or ‘therapeutic environment’ – is usually more conducive to effective therapy. Therapy offices are thoughtfully designed to be safe, confidential, and comfortable spaces. These offices are meant to help clients feel at ease and share whatever is on their mind. Distractions and the external environment are intentionally minimized.
Clients using online therapy often face numerous distractions in their home. Background noise and interruptions from family, work, or pets are common. Even knowing that interruptions are possible can decrease the level or comfort and privacy. These distractions – and decreased sense of privacy – can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the sessions.
A quality bond between the client and therapist – referred to as a ‘therapeutic alliance’ – is critical for successful outcomes. In-person interactions tend to naturally foster trust and rapport. And, often times, a reassuring gesture or a change in tone don’t come across as well through a monitor or phone. A physical presence can help clients feel more secure, heard, and understood, which increases one’s willingness to engage deeply in the process.
And there are just some populations that don’t do well with technology. These include the elderly, the very young, and those with severe mental health issues.
Kinsey & Associates is Boston’s most trusted team of therapists. We specialize in inperson couples therapy in the Boston area, as well as all of Massachusetts via online therapy.