Health Female: The Pros and Cons of Online Therapy: Friday Fix

Friday, February 4, 2022

The Pros and Cons of Online Therapy: Friday Fix

Amy Morin, LCSW
Verywell Mind Editor-in-Chief

Although online therapy has grown in popularity during the pandemic, a lot of people are still hesitant to try it. And it's wise to question whether online treatment can be effective as face-to-face therapy.

After all, the relationship between a client and a therapist is key to a positive treatment outcome. Can someone really establish a healthy alliance with a therapist over video chat or messaging?

As a therapist who has only ever provided face-to-face treatment, I had a lot of questions myself. So I decided to test some of the major online therapy websites. I signed up for treatment as a client to see what it would be like to access services.

I discovered that online therapy isn't for everyone. But, it did have some distinct advantages over face-to-face treatment in some areas.

I also learned that not all online therapy websites are created equal. Some have better features, others are more affordable, and some specialize in specific treatments.

I thought it would be helpful to share what I learned along the way. I talk about what I liked and didn't like about online therapy.

If you're questioning online treatment for yourself or you're wondering if you should suggest it for someone else, check out this episode. I'll tell you the pros and cons of online therapy and how you can find the best online treatment.