Advantages and Disadvantage of Online Therapy

November 1, 2023

As the popularity of online therapy continues to grow, more and more people are looking into the medium as a legitimate means of receiving mental health care from a certified and licensed professional With sessions conducted entirely online via one's electronic device of choice, online therapy has allowed countless individuals access to professional counseling at a fraction of the cost of traditional in-office visits - with the added benefit of convenience and discretion. As with all mental health services, it's important to research the pros and cons of online therapy before making any commitments. Is the online counseling structure convenient for you, or do you feel you'd be better off in a face-to-face situation? Will your insurance provider honor a remotely-based or out of state therapist? Below are the potential advantages and disadvantages of online counseling to keep in mind as you embark on the regime that's right for you.

What Are The Advantages of Online Therapy?

Online Therapy Is Convenient

One of the most often reported benefits of online therapy is the sheer convenience of the model. Because all sessions between you and your therapist takes place online via your computer, phone, or tablet, you can schedule appointments outside of typical office hours and engage from the comfort and privacy of your chosen space. Online therapy is also a viable alternative for those with physical challenges and/or limited access to reliable transportation. Online Therapy Is More Affordable Than In-Office Visits Traditional office visits with a therapist can run you anywhere from $75 to $200 an hour, made all the more likely if your insurance provider doesn't cover that specific treatment or professional. Many online therapy services apply a flat monthly fee to join, or utilize a sliding pay scale in accordance with your financial situation. Additionally, as online therapy continues to earn its place as a legitimate healthcare service, more insurance providers are including it in their coverage.

Online Therapy is Discreet

The prospect of driving across town and possibly being seen entering a mental health facility or spotted in the waiting room is an understandable deterrent for many, especially those who reside in small towns or communities. Online therapy provides a discreet alternative to office visits, with your personal information further protected from disclosure. Some online therapy platforms maintain full confidentiality by never requesting, let alone releasing, your full name and personal information.

Online Therapy As A Learning Tool

Because the majority of online therapy sites provide additional exercises, coping strategies, and updated advancements and articles from the field's experts, you can continue to educate yourself while receiving treatment. In fact, many people continue to access these services even after they've ceased counseling, in an ongoing commitment to maintaining their health and well-being. Online Therapy Gives You More Choice Insurance providers are notoriously finicky about which providers and services they will cover, which can in turn drastically restrict one's options to receive mental health therapy from a professional therapist. If your insurance provider only covers a select few in your immediate area, you may find the online therapy model more liberating. Online therapy allows users to choose from an extensive list of verified professionals from around the country (and even wider globe), as well as read their credentials, personal philosophies, and reviews from other clients.

What Are The Disadvantages of Online Therapy?

Insurance & Legalities

Paying even the minimum out of pocket on a regular basis can quickly add up for those seeking therapy services, and depending on your insurance provider, online therapy may not be a feasible option. Furthermore, your state may have strict laws prohibiting mental healthcare professionals from practicing or even communicating out-of-state. New York attorney and former behavioral consultant Jason S. Zack warns both mental health practitioners and prospective clients alike in the 2010 premier issue of TILT Magazine that "even if online counseling is conducted in a manner that is perfectly legal (or not enforced by the governing body), there may still be legal consequences in the form of civil lawsuits based on contractual disputes, fraud, negligence, etc."

Limited Therapist Accessibility

Your online therapist may be located a few states over or across the globe, which means response times outside of scheduled sessions may be extremely limited. In the case of an emergency, local crisis responders will have to be relied upon, which can leave many feeling vulnerable and alone in moments of duress.

Is My Information Secure?

We live in a hyper-aware age where data and consent are serious matters, which in turn leaves many to doubt the security of an online therapy platform. Although online therapy sites strive to utilize the most up-to-date cyber security measures, whenever information is being transmitted online the possibility of a leak in one's private content is always a legitimate concern. Temporary technological glitches can further hinder one from accessing the materials and correspondence they depend on.

Do Online Therapists Follow the Same Code of Ethics?

In 1976 a case titledÂTarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, in which a therapist failed to alert a young woman and her parents of death threats being made by their client, brought about what is now called a "duty to warn" law, whereupon a therapist or counselor must inform authorities or third parties about potential threats their clients may pose, either to themselves or other individuals. While all practicing mental healthcare professionals are required to act within this law, the online therapy model can complicate matters due to geography or confidential client information, which may not even use real names or places. Furthermore, the remoteness between therapist and client can mean valuable physical and verbal cues that alert a therapist to potentially harmful behavior are only minimally detected, if at all.

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