Video call VS in real life therapy

[Ilikepinacoladass]

I started see a therapist during the pandemic as was going through a difficult time. We have always done video calls as we've been on and out of lockdowns etc. It also worked quite well for me as I have a young baby (well a toddler now). But now with restrictions lifting I have the option of going to see her in real life. Also where my child is a bit older this is also more feasible for me too.

Just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience? And whether you found it much more beneficial to into see them in person Vs online calls. I've never had therapy before this so don't know what to compare it to. It will be a bit of faff getting over there but I think I'll try it at least once just to see.

But I feel really nervous, after a year and a half of talking online I'm really scared meeting in person and can't imagine being able to talk openly when in the same room! I know lots of people started therapy during the pandemic so thinking this situation must have happened to some others?

Would be good to know other thoughts and experiences

Hay op
I work closely with a company who provide talking therapy and have monthly meetings regarding their service delivery, patient sentiment

Although from my perspective people are keen to get back to face to face it seems many providers are keen to stay remote- they argue outcomes are better because your in a comfortable safe space, no travelling time before and (I think for them this is key) they can see one or two more patients in a day as they absorb their previous commute time…

Ultimately what I am trying to say is- if remote has been working for you and provider studies show outcomes are generally better via remote and you have anxiety about face to face then continue as it is

I've had both quite a lot. There's - in my opinion - a huge benefit to being in the same room as your therapist at least some of the time. Therapy is at least partly about making a therapeutic bond and alliance with your therapist. It's a real human relationship. Much stronger if you get real-life in the room experience of each other.
Very understandable that you now feel nervous about meeting! Tell her. It's all material to explore.
Best of luck.

I don't mind zoom therapy sessions but I'd been seeing my therapist for a year in person before we had to switch to zoom because of covid.

It is different though. We tend to have deeper sessions in person, there's a kind of intimacy to it which isn't present online. If I hadn't already bonded with him beforehand, I don't think I'd have got on very well with zoom therapy.

I'd definitely try out in person. I would say there's pros and cons of each - for example you one benefit of going to face to face is that there's a space between talking about deep difficult things and then your home. I find with online therapy it's easier to end the session then ruminate on what has been talked/thought about .

Thanks for your replies! Yes she brought up the point about the travelling time, but as a good thing because she said it gives you time to think about what to talk about / reflect on the session after, and gives a bit more space for me in terms of getting away from the house etc which I think makes sense, as when I do it at home right up until I log on I'm doing stuff like putting the baby to bed and then start doing housework straight after..

And I think she said a while ago she prefers working in person when possible.

So I'll try, is just going to be strange!

It does sound like it's worth going there in person. I just hope I can get past the nerves and give it a go, I don't think I'd be as scared if I didn't know them at all / they were someone new.

And getting there on time will be a challenge as it's quite soon after baby's bedtime, but have to try and make it work I think

I like the commute tbh. Its a little under an hour each way for me and there's one junction just round the corner from my therapists house where there is always a bottleneck of traffic and you sit for 10 minutes or so but its my thinking time to absorb the session.

Then when I get back to my hometown there is a McDonald's just off the interchange where I have lunch, it's my little weekly routine.

Like many others I have done both (due to the pandemic but also because I was unwell before the pandemic). I now have the option to do both as well, however, I prefer going in person if I can.

For me the benefits of being in person is that I am not bringing trauma in my living space, my therapist will "gently push" me a little bit harder in in person sessions as she knows she (and the rest of the team) are around if I became unsafe, I can focus beforehand and debrief afterwards rather than making a straight transition back to everyday life (if you have an option for extra childcare afterwards I would strongly recommend it), I can see much more body language with my therapist in person - although unfortunately we still have masks mandated so I lose the facial expressions, and I can hear more tone to her voice.

Like @Notanotherwindow I also have a routine that happens on in therapy days. A train ride, a posh herbal tea, a little walk, and then afterwards a walk followed by an exhibition and lunch.