It seems like everything can be done with just a few taps on your phone these days, from paying a bill to finding a new job. Even health care is available online, known as telehealth. 

When comparing virtual versus in-person therapy, people often want to know if virtual therapy is as effective as in person. The answer is a resounding yes. Research shows that virtual treatment for mental health conditions like anxiety, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder is just as effective as in-person treatment.

Virtual therapy and in-person therapy are both effective ways of approaching mental health treatment. But it’s not always easy to determine which path you should pursue. By learning about how each one fits with your personal preferences and lifestyle, you can gain a better understanding of which may be the right choice for you.

When you’re trying to decide between virtual and in-person therapy, here are a few of your circumstances to consider:

• Schedule flexibility

A common reason that people don’t make time for their health care (including therapy), is because they have packed schedules or difficulty finding the time to go into an office. Virtual therapy can provide you with the option to work therapy around your schedule, instead of trying to rearrange your schedule to find time for an in-person session. Many virtual therapists are also available in the evenings and on weekends.

Schedule flexibility with virtual therapy is a significant benefit for people who have:

• Demanding or unpredictable job schedules
• Time-consuming family obligations (e.g., children’s extracurriculars)
• Limited availability during weekdays
• Comfort levels

People who experience certain mental health struggles, such as social anxiety or trauma, may have difficulty leaving their home to go see a therapist in their office. If a person is uncomfortable in their treatment environment, such as a therapist’s office, it can be difficult for them to be fully engaged in the sessions for the best results.

Some people feel more comfortable with in-person health care. They feel more connected to their provider and are more likely to open up to them about their challenges.

• Accessibility to the necessary resources

In-person and virtual therapy each require certain resources that may not be accessible for everyone.

In-person therapy sessions require transportation. This means having access to a dependable car, plus money for gas. A car service or public transportation may be an option, but money is needed for that as well.

Virtual therapy requires access to a mobile device with a strong internet connection. Lack of reliable Wi-Fi could result in a loss of connection during a video session or delayed messages.

It’s also possible for interstate licensure to limit access to a clinician for some U.S. residents.

• Home environment

Some people have difficulty leaving their home for in-person sessions due to circumstances like needing to care for a child, making virtual therapy easier to balance with their responsibilities at home. But there’s also the opposite side to think about, which is having a home life that doesn’t allow for the privacy needed to have a session. 

If a person’s house isn’t a safe place for virtual therapy due to a toxic or dangerous home environment or lack of a private space, an in-person therapist would likely be the preferable choice. 

If you’ve discussed the option of therapy with your doctor, you can collaborate with them to figure out whether in-person or virtual therapy is a better choice for you. It’s also possible to find a therapist who offers both options, allowing you to test them out to see which would be more effective for you. 

At Lightfully, we provide treatment for people who need more intensive care beyond regular outpatient therapy. But we still want to make sure we meet you where you are. That’s why we provide both in-person and virtual levels of care, all of which include therapy that treats your whole person, not just your diagnosis.

Our four levels of care are:

• Residential Treatment 
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Virtual Services (vPHP/vIOP)

We also offer a FlexSchedule IOP, meaning that you can choose your own Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program schedule with flexible group options and customized weekly planning.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.