Why is Online Therapy so Popular?

Online or virtual psychotherapy has been around for many years. In 2020 it became extremely popular (we all know why). I wrote about the benefits of online therapy in 2021 (read my blog post here), but I’m writing about it again because now I have four years of full-time experience with it. Honestly, I love providing online therapy and I plan to keep doing it. You can receive online therapy by using a video conferencing app on your computer, tablet, or phone. 

Online therapy isn’t for everyone, and some people prefer in-person therapy sessions. There are psychologists who are now providing in-person sessions, but many (like me), have remained exclusively online. Are you trying to decide if online therapy would be a good fit for you? Here are some reasons to stay home and give online therapy a try! 

• No Commute: First of all, there’s no commute! No more getting stuck in traffic, standing on crowded transit, or dealing with snow, rain, heat, or humidity. There’s no need to rush across town or leave work early to make your appointment. With the time you save on commuting you can spend time with family or friends, do things around the house, exercise, have fun, or just relax. 
• Comfort: Thank goodness for climate control! If you attend appointments from home, you can adjust the temperature at any time. You’re always dressed appropriately for indoor weather. You can even wear pajamas, wrap yourself in a blanket, or go barefoot during your appointment (but you must be dressed of course).
• Safety: If you feel safe at home, you can stay there and feel comfortable. You won’t need to go to an unfamiliar place, you won’t get lost, and after your appointment you won’t be left alone outside after dark.  
• Privacy and Cleanliness: If you have therapy at home or in a private place, there is no chance of running into someone you know in a psychologist’s waiting room. Plus, you won’t need to use a public restroom.
• No Lost Papers: Online therapy can be paperless, or at least it will be easier for you to keep all your papers in one place. You can keep all digital handouts and resources in a computer file or print them and keep them at home. If you lose a paper or need more, it will be saved on your computer. 
• Easy Payments: Online businesses don’t collect cash. It’s easy to use a credit or debit card to pay for appointments after each session and receipts can be emailed automatically. This can help you keep track of your spending and easily submit receipts to your insurance company.

There are a couple of drawbacks from online therapy. With online therapy, you won’t meet your psychologist in person, only through a screen. Some people feel more of a connection when someone is physically in the room. For me, there isn’t much of a difference at all. The biggest drawback is when technology fails. Computers, software, and apps are awesome, and they make things so easy, but only when they work. Software updates, forgotten passwords, poor video or audio, and slow internet service can be frustrating and reduce the quality of video appointments. These issues arise occasionally but it’s extremely rare that an appointment is cancelled due to one of these issues. If the video quality is poor because of the internet, a phone session can be done instead. A top-notch internet connection makes for a great video appointment.

So, given all the conveniences of online therapy with few drawbacks, hopefully this post has convinced you to give online therapy a try! If you are an adult living in Ontario and experiencing anxiety, stress, or depression, click the New Client Screener button and start your online therapy journey today!​

New Client Screener

Author

Candice Bovell, Ph.D., C.Psych. is a Clinical Psychologist providing online therapy to adults in Ontario who experience anxiety, stress, and depression.