Differences and similarities between online and face-to-face therapy

If in recent years online psychotherapy was already experiencing a rapid expansion in terms of its popularity among psychotherapists and patients, the onset of the 2020 pandemic has only accelerated this progression.

Today this form of psychological intervention is more consolidated than ever, and is even very known by people who have never gone to a psychologist and do not even consider doing so in the future next. Now... what are its defining characteristics, what separates it from conventional psychotherapy?

Throughout this article we will see an overview of the differences and similarities between online psychotherapy and face-to-face psychotherapy, something very useful to know what to expect from this kind of services.

• Related article: "The 8 benefits of going to psychological therapy"

What differences are there between online psychological therapy and face-to-face therapy?

These are the main differences between online therapy and the one that takes place in person, either in the psychology office or in a larger health center.

1. With online therapy there is no need to travel

This is probably the most obvious feature in terms of online therapy: it is possible to use it without leaving home, as long as you have an Internet connection and an electronic device capable of connecting to the network, with a screen and camera. This saves time, effort and, in many cases, also money.

2. The communication channel is different

Another of the main differences between online psychotherapy and face-to-face psychotherapy is that in the first format the communication channel is a digital platform, while in the second case the interaction takes place in the same room. This implies that the patient must have some basic knowledge when using the electronic device and the interface of the video call, but fortunately, its operation is simple, and in any case the psychologists help when it comes to solving doubts.

3. Online therapy offers a space that is familiar to the patient

From the first online psychotherapy session, it can take place in a place that the patient already knows well, since it is not necessary to go to a place where they have not been before. This subtly and semi-consciously makes patients more relaxed and more open to explaining their problems., which speeds up the dynamics of the therapeutic process.

4. Online psychotherapy offers extra anonymity and discretion

Since to use online therapy it is not necessary to enter a psychology cabinet or a psychotherapist's office, but rather You simply have to find a quiet and reserved place that has an Internet connection, this provides extra anonymity when resorting to psychological support. Although fewer and fewer people today are reluctant to admit that they are going to psychotherapy, this is a characteristic that continues to be important for some patients.

5. With the online format there is greater accessibility to psychological support

Due to the differences between online and face-to-face therapy, many of which are advantageous for those who choose the former format, psychotherapy can reach more people. For example, to people who, due to their state of health, the place where they live (isolated from large urban centers or badly connected to them) or their economic difficulties cannot afford to travel weekly to a health center psychotherapy.

Similarities between online psychotherapy and face-to-face psychotherapy

These are the aspects in which online therapy and face-to-face therapy with a psychologist are similar.

1. They have a comparable level of effectiveness

If the appropriate technical requirements are available in terms of the quality of the device e-mail and Internet connection (something that today is common in most homes Spanish people), the effectiveness of online psychotherapy is basically the same as that of face-to-face psychotherapy, except in special cases, such as child therapy with young children.

2. The professionals who provide the service are accredited psychologists

The type of training of psychologists who perform online therapy is the same as that of those who offer face-to-face psychotherapy. In all cases they are psychologists with university training, specialized in therapy.

3. These are services that require an appointment.

Both online and face-to-face therapy are based on sessions that must be agreed before taking place, given that in order to offer them, psychologists need to be able to prepare them ahead of time and make sure they have time in their schedule to make time for them consistently throughout the weeks. Which brings us to the next point.

4. Its duration is the same

Another of the similarities between face-to-face psychotherapy and online psychotherapy has to do with their duration. They are never based on one or a couple of sessions, and they don't go on for years either. To help patients overcome the problems for which they come to the office, it is necessary that they commit to therapy for several weeks or months, without skipping sessions.

• You may be interested in: "How does online couples therapy work?"

Are you interested in having professional psychological support?

If you are looking for psychotherapy services, either face-to-face or online, contact us. In Advance Psychologists We have been helping all types of patients for 20 years, and we currently provide care in both formats, either face-to-face at our center in Madrid, or via video call. In this page You can see our contact information.

Bibliographic references:

• Gratzer, D. and Khalid-Khan, F. (2016). Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of psychiatric illness. CMAJ, 188(4)pp. 263 - 272.
• González-Peña, P., Torres, R., Del Barrio, V., and Olmedo, M. (2017). Use of technology in psychological practice in Spain. Infocop.
• Simon, G.E; Ludman, E.J. (2009). It's time for disruptive innovation in psychotherapy. The Lancet. 374(9690):pp. 594 - 595.