Should I do telehealth or in person treatment?
Since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, telehealth has become much more common, especially as a way of participating in psychotherapy. Telehealth is a great option for many people working on conditions including ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and substance use disorders. It can be useful to think through the pros and cons of telehealth and in person treatment as you decide what is best for you. As a therapist who is experienced in providing therapy both in person and through telehealth, here are some of my thoughts on what to keep in mind when thinking through these options.
Advantages of Telehealth:
A huge advantage of telehealth is convenience; you can do sessions from your home or office, and you don’t need to spend time traveling to and from your therapist’s office. This can sometimes allow clients to schedule sessions during their work day and mean less time away from work, family, and other responsibilities. Also, telehealth allows individuals to access specialists who may be located out of their geographic area and be otherwise inaccessible.
Telehealth can also allow you to do therapy in your personal space. This can be helpful for example, for someone with ADHD to be able rearrange how their physical space is organized as part of their therapy. It could also be helpful for someone with OCD to do exposures (e.g., approaching contamination fears) in settings outside of the therapy office. Telehealth is also convenient if the therapist or client might be feeling sick and not want to potentially spread germs.
Disadvantages of Telehealth:
Doing therapy from your home, office, or another location may feel less private than being in a therapist’s office. Family members, roommates, or co-workers may be within earshot of your session, and therapy often involves disclosing sensitive personal information that you would want to be private.
Therapy at home can also be distracting - pets, roommates, children, and family members can all make it hard to focus on the therapy session. Doing therapy on a screen can be distracting as well, with other browser windows and notifications interfering with focus for some people.
Advantages of In Person Treatment:
Doing therapy “in real life” allows you and your therapist to connect in three dimensions. The therapist can get more information from you and observe your body language in three dimensions rather than just seeing your face on a screen. Many people come to therapy feeling isolated or disconnected in a world with so many screens, and the face to face connection of sitting with a therapist can be an important part of the therapeutic process. Being in a therapist’s office may feel more private and safe than being at home or work during therapy. Also, being in the same room as your therapist may help you push yourself further during challenging treatments like exposure and response prevention for OCD, when the physical presence of the therapist may help you feel more safe and supported. Furthermore, urine toxicology screening can be an important component of substance use disorder treatment, and is best done in person.
Hybrid Treatment
I often provide hybrid treatment - a mix between in person and telehealth services. This can allow for the flexibility of telehealth as well as the intimacy of in person sessions. In some cases, it can be the best of both worlds.
The bottom line: consider these factors in looking for a therapist and as you proceed through treatment. Talk about your treatment options with providers to figure out what works best for you.
Dr. Brooke Monaco is one of Pelham’s most trusted clinical psychologists. She specializes in Anxiety Disorders, OCD, ADHD, and Substance Use Disorders. Reach out today to learn more about how Dr. Monaco can help you and your loved ones.