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

I often get asked whether online therapy really works, whether it’s as meaningful, safe, or effective as being in the same physical room.And every time, I find myself pausing, because the answer isn’t a simple yes or no.

Therapy, in any form; online, in-person, group, art, drama, play, is a relationship. It’s a space where two humans meet: one seeking understanding, and the other offering it. Whether that happens through a screen or in person, the essence of it remains the same; connection, presence, and the courage to be seen.

When I first began offering online therapy to adults across the UK, I was uncertain too. Would the screen create distance? Would emotions feel muted? Would I be able to pick up as much, or be as effective, with this physical and digital divide between us?

But I’ve found that, for many, the opposite is true. There’s a sense of safety that comes from sitting in your own familiar space, your favourite chair, a quiet corner, a warm cup of tea nearby. Maybe it’s even made showing up easier for some.

Many of us have excuses when something feels uncomfortable, as I do when I have to get myself out on a run, “I don’t have time to get there, it’s too far, I’d have to leave the office, I won’t have time between picking up the kids.”

With online therapy, those barriers fade. The convenience of connecting from home, your car, or even while on a walk can make therapy more accessible, more consistent, and sometimes even more powerful.

The physical distance can sometimes make emotional closeness easier. People cry more freely. They open up about things they might have struggled to say in an office. Maybe because it feels a little less intimidating; maybe because the comfort of home allows us to lower our guard.

That said, there’s something sacred about in-person therapy. The subtle, wordless exchanges; a glance, a breath, a shared silence.Some clients find comfort in having a space that’s separate from their daily life; a room where they can leave their thoughts behind when they walk out the door. For some, it’s the only space that feels truly safe, contained, and free from the roles they play outside those four walls.

If you crave that tangible sense of presence, the grounding of a space that’s just for you then in-person sessions might feel more right. There’s no right or wrong choice, only what your nervous system and your unique needs feel drawn to.

Whether therapy happens on a screen or in a shared physical space, what matters most is that you feel safe enough to be yourself, to be able to talk about and say the things you don’t necessarily feel you want to. Healing doesn’t depend on Wi-Fi strength or distance; it depends on trust, attunement, and willingness.

If online therapy offers you flexibility, privacy, or simply the ability to begin, that’s more than enough. It’s a doorway into self-understanding that fits your life as it is now.

So, if you’ve been wondering whether online therapy really works, I’d say this: it’s not about where therapy happens, but how it’s held.

Healing is still healing. Connection is still connection. And your courage to show up, whether on a screen or in a room, is what truly makes the difference.

(If you’d like to explore online therapy or ADHD assessments, I offer confidential sessions for adults across the UK. Book a consultation to learn more.)