Online Therapy vs In-Person: Which is Right for You?

When I first started my training, therapy meant one thing: two people, two chairs, one room. That was it. The idea of sitting with a client through a screen felt, to many in the profession, like a compromise.

Then the world changed. And what many of us discovered, therapists and clients alike, is that it wasn't a compromise at all. It was just different.

Now, running a practice that offers both, I get asked this question a lot. So here's my honest take.

The case for in-person therapy

There's something about being in the same physical space as another person that's hard to replicate. The walk to the therapy room, the cup of tea, the ritual of it. For some clients, that transition, leaving the house, arriving somewhere, sitting down, is part of the process. It signals to your nervous system: this is time for me.

In-person therapy also allows for a fuller read of body language. As a therapist, I notice a lot in the room. A shift in posture, a held breath, the moment someone's eyes change before they say something difficult. Some of that gets lost on screen.

If you're working through something that feels very physical, trauma held in the body for example, in-person work can feel more grounding. There's a reason some therapeutic approaches, like somatic therapy, really come into their own face to face.

The case for online therapy

Online therapy has opened up access to support in a way that's genuinely changed people's lives. Geography no longer limits who you can work with. If you live somewhere rural, have a packed schedule, or simply struggle to leave the house on difficult days, online therapy removes a barrier that might otherwise stop you from getting help at all.

There's also something to be said for the comfort of your own space. Some clients find it easier to open up when they're at home, in their own chair, with their own mug of tea. The familiar environment can feel safer, especially in the early stages of therapy when vulnerability feels high.

For people managing anxiety, the commute to a session can itself become a source of stress. Online removes that entirely.

So which should you choose?

Honestly? The best therapy is the therapy you actually turn up to.

If online means you're more likely to book, less likely to cancel, and more able to fit it around your life, that's the right choice for you. If in-person means you feel more present, more held, and more able to do the deep work, go with that.

A few questions worth asking yourself:

Do I feel safe enough to open up from home, or do I need a dedicated space outside my day-to-day life?

Is accessibility or location a factor for me?

What kind of issues am I bringing? Trauma, grief, and body-based work can sometimes benefit from in-person contact.

Have I tried one before and had a strong preference?

There's no wrong answer. And if you're not sure, it's completely fine to try one and switch.

My approach

I offer both online and in-person sessions from my practice in Richmond, Surrey, precisely because I believe the right format is the one that works for you, not the one that works for me. What matters most is that you feel safe, seen, and able to do the work.

If you're unsure which might suit you, we can talk it through in a free initial consultation. No pressure, no commitment, just a conversation.