Are there therapists who offer both in-person and online sessions?

Since the pandemic in 2020 many therapists offer a hybrid approach to therapy sessions with a mix of both online and in-person sessions.

Online Therapy

Online therapy provides an accessible, flexible approach to mental health care. Providing the opportunity to connect with a therapist of choice, no matter the geographical location. Despite our reservations in 2020, the majority of therapists believe that there is no difference in working online; some therapists have even opted to stay as an online therapist only.

Not all therapists offer online therapy, preferring in-person sessions. For health and safety reasons, some therapists will limit the number of sessions they do per day online.

In-Person Sessions

In-person therapy offers a private and distraction-free environment, which is often considered a more secure and confidential space for therapeutic rapport. Allowing for better interpretation of nonverbal cues like body language.

Since 2020, many therapists have decided to only work online and therefore do not offer in-person sessions

Hybrid

A hybrid approach is when a mix of online and in-person appointments are carried out, depending on individual needs. The parameters for hybrid working do need to be clear to both parties. Many times during the latter part of 2020, individual therapists or their clients got confused about whether appointments were face-to-face or online, which is why, although this is my approach, I’ve put strict timeframes aren’t put in place for switching. For example, it’s agreed at the end of one session that the next will be online, without sufficient notice, a room might not be available, turning up without checking could be problematic, it could mean the therapist isn’t present, or a short notice switch to online means they don’t have an adequate device or access to Wifi e.g. change of provider or engineering work means no internet.

Things to Consider

There are advantages and disadvantages to all therapy options, and many people ask why choose one over the other. There is no right answer!

Things to consider in what option is best are:

*️⃣ The journey to and from therapy widens the therapeutic frame. If time is limited, online therapy is an easy and accessible option

*️⃣ Face-to-face therapy takes in all the senses, nonverbal communication & body language.

*️⃣ The therapist will have chosen a platform that works based on confidentiality levels and the technology they own, e.g. not all systems support FaceTime, and some have glitches that routinely impact sessions.

*️⃣ At this time, no online platform is considered entirely safe. It’s important that when attending online therapy, clients read all the safety and security information of the platform used. Confidentiality of sessions and ensuring your space is private and will be undisturbed adds an extra layer of uncertainty for some people.

*️⃣ Face-to-face offers an extra layer of privacy and safety, as attending means you will not be disturbed or potentially overheard by family members.

If you are considering online/hybrid therapy as an option, to get started, you will need:

🔴 A private space where you will not be disturbed during the session.

🔴 Access to a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone

🔴 A good, stable internet connection

🔴 Access to a video camera with sound (usually integrated in your device)

In honesty, both online & face to face therapy are viable options, and it’s important that when selecting what is right for you, consideration for:

🔷 Can I travel easily to and from therapy or guarantee my own privacy if online?

🔷 The choice of therapist can be widened with online, and there are several platforms now offering accessible online therapy.

🔷 Ensure that the therapist you’ve chosen holds a recognisable counselling and psychotherapy qualification and is a member of BACP, UKCP or NCPS

🔷 Ask about the level of service, for instance, some online sessions are only held for 30-45 minutes, whereas face-to-face sessions are more often 50-60minutes. Online doesn’t always mean cheaper due to the level of service; therefore, it’s important to check that you know what you are paying for

🔷 Clear guidance for hybrid working - notice for switching, as depending on each therapist, they may need notice to ensure room availability for in-person or access to devices/internet within a confidential space.

Additionally, if you are a student therapist, there may be strict rules about the need for therapy to be in-person or a limited number of online sessions, it is imperative that student therapist find this information out before starting therapy.

My Approach

I work primarily in person at Phoenix Counselling, and when online, I use Cliniko Telehealth. If people want a mix of both online and in-person (hybrid), then I will need to explain boundaries for switching between the two. For my own health and safety, I limit the number of online sessions I can do per day, so at times I can’t guarantee this is possible. I also need to factor in room availability, confidentiality if a switch due to inclement weather is required. And a hybrid contract needs to be signed, ensuring that all parties agree and understand these parameters.