Key Takeaways Key Takeaways

  • Close to 70% of all mental health visits are online, according to LifeStance data across 33 states served.

  • In-person visits can be essential, especially for therapy managing conditions like addiction, anxiety, or attachment issues.

  • A hybrid therapy approach combines the convenience of online therapy with the depth of in-person sessions. In fact, a recent report from Deloitte found consumers are nearly evenly divided in their preferences for virtual versus in-person mental health care, with 38 percent favoring in-person services and 35 percent preferring virtual care.

  • LifeStance offers unique advantages compared to online-only therapy providers through personalized, hybrid care.

Online Therapy vs In-Person: Advice from Therapists Who Provide Both

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a global shift in how mental health services were delivered. Online therapy surged from a niche option to the primary mode of care for millions.

For many clinicians, online therapy has proven to be a powerful and effective way to deliver care. As of 2025, the share of online visits is now close to 70%, according to LifeStance data across 33 states served.

Some providers have seen greater consistency and engagement from clients who no longer have to commute, take time off work, or navigate anxiety about going into a clinical setting. Some people open up more quickly in the comfort of their own space, leading to faster rapport-building and therapeutic progress. For people with mobility challenges, social anxiety, or those living in rural areas, virtual therapy can be a lifeline.

However, with the pandemic now long past, many therapists are actively encouraging their clients to book onsite appointments for a variety of beneficial reasons.

Advantages of In-Person Therapy

Karissa Fleming, MS, LCSW, highlights three significant advantages of traditional face-to-face therapy she sees in her practice:

  1. Dedicated Therapeutic Space
    One major benefit to in-person therapy is the designation of space. Therapy often touches on distressing subjects. Associating that distress with your home environment can make transitioning back to everyday tasks difficult. Just as experts recommend reserving your bed strictly for sleep to promote better rest, having a dedicated therapeutic space helps your mind distinguish therapy from home life, often allowing clearer emotional boundaries and reducing feelings of being “stuck.”
  2. Access to Therapeutic Tools
    Another critical advantage of in-person sessions is the access to therapists’ physical tools and resources. “Working primarily with children, my office includes miniatures, coloring materials, games, age-appropriate mental health literature, and a sand tray,” she shares. “These tools let clients explore coping strategies in real-time and address emotional needs promptly.”
  3. Stronger Human Connection
    Lastly, in-person sessions enhance human connection—an essential element in therapy. While communication through screens can serve a purpose, being physically present with one another in a shared space provides a higher level of human connection. This human connection is wired into human nature and boosts oxytocin levels while also providing a real-time example of co-regulation (the concept that humans affect each other’s mood and even biology). If you are feeling anxious in your home, attending an online appointment with a calm therapist might help some, but you would still be physically alone in your home during the appointment. However, if the appointment were conducted in-person at a LifeStance office, you would likely feel the therapist’s calming presence.

While communication through screens can serve a purpose, being physically present with one another in a shared space provides a higher level of human connection.

Reasons Therapists May Want to See You In Person in Addition to Online Sessions

Brianna Sneed, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with CADC certification specializing in addiction counseling, strongly encourages in-person visits due to significant dynamic shifts compared to online therapy.

Sneed explains, “Therapeutic rapport is important and tends to be better when we can observe subtle nonverbal cues: In person, therapists can pick up on nuanced micro-expressions, shifts in posture, and eye contact—all of which contribute to assessing a client’s emotional state.”

According to Sneed, “A client being physically present often fosters a stronger sense of emotional attunement and mutual presence. This helps create what many clinicians refer to as the ‘felt sense’ of connection, which is more difficult to replicate virtually. Entering a physical office can itself be therapeutic—a space intentionally separate from daily life that sets the tone for introspection and safety. In contrast, online sessions often take place amid domestic distractions.”

Body language plays a critical role—in person, therapists can observe nervous habits, such as fidgeting, leg shaking, or self-soothing gestures, which may be out of frame in a virtual session.

Emotional presence is another significant factor. Face-to-face sessions support emotional co-regulation through breathing, tone, and physical energy exchange, essential for individuals dealing with attachment wounds, severe anxiety, or addiction recovery. In high-emotion moments—such as grief, rage, or panic—in-person therapists can often immediately provide containment and reassurance, adjusting their tone, offering physical comforts like tissues, and modulating the therapeutic environment.

LifeStance Health is a national leader in mental, behavioral, and emotional wellness with multiple locations in 33 states. Services vary by location.

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Advantages of Online Therapy

Despite the undeniable strengths of in-person therapy, experts acknowledge scenarios where online therapy may be the logical choice. Fleming points out, “For those in rural areas or facing transportation barriers, online therapy can be life-changing. It provides access to specialized mental health services that otherwise would be unreachable.”

For those in rural areas or facing transportation barriers, online therapy can be life-changing.

She specifically notes how online therapy can benefit communities with limited access to specialized care, highlighting the LGBTQ community as an example: “Online therapy can connect LGBTQ individuals with affirming therapists who may not be available nearby, potentially saving lives by breaking isolation and providing critical support.”

Hybrid Therapy: The Best of Both Worlds

A recent report from Deloitte found consumers are nearly evenly divided in their preferences for virtual versus in-person mental health care, with 38 percent favoring in-person services and 35 percent preferring virtual care. LifeStance recognizes the strengths of both therapy types, offering an integrated hybrid model. Unlike platforms like TalkSpace or BetterHelp that only provide virtual care, LifeStance delivers personalized, high-quality therapy through licensed professionals, both virtually and face-to-face.

References

  1. Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. (2024, October 16). The growing disconnect between virtual health availability and consumer demand. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/health-care/virtual-health-consumer-demand-and-availability.html

Authored By 

LifeStance Health

LifeStance is a mental healthcare company focused on providing evidence-based, medically driven treatment services for children, adolescents, and adults.

Contributed By

Karissa Fleming, MSW, LCSW

Karissa Fleming is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to supporting individuals and families across Illinois.

Karissa is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), DBT (Dialectal Behavioral Therapy), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and Sand Tray.

Karissa is especially passionate about working with individuals who have experienced trauma and women navigating life transitions.

Additionally, Karissa works with children, teens, and their families. She incorporates elements of play and expressive arts to create a safe and fun environment for clients to express their feelings. Her experience with foster care and adoption provides strong skills to help families navigate a variety of difficult situations.

By focusing on each client’s strengths, she helps them uncover new perspectives and solutions, fostering meaningful change. She emphasizes the importance of interpersonal connection and shared healing. Her inclusive and affirming approach ensures that all clients feel valued and supported on their journey.

Outside of her clinical work, Karissa enjoys engaging in creative hobbies like writing, cooking, and crafting. She also finds joy in movement–especially long walks with friends–and spending time with her beloved cat.

Brianna M Sneed, LCSW, CADC

Brianna Sneed, LCSW, CADC, is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy to individuals and families in Illinois. She understands that seeking support can be a difficult step and strives to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where clients feel empowered to work toward meaningful change. Brianna specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, helping clients navigate life s challenges with practical coping strategies and a focus on emotional resilience.

She works with adolescents, young adults, and adults, tailoring her therapeutic approach to each individual s unique needs. With a passion for supporting those struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns, Brianna brings extensive experience in addiction treatment. As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor CADC , she assists clients at all stages of recovery, whether they are beginning their journey or maintaining long-term sobriety.

She also specializes in helping individuals with ADHD and PTSD, offering structured interventions that foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthy coping mechanisms. Additionally, she has experience working with individuals on the autism spectrum and those with developmental disabilities, providing a thoughtful and individualized approach to care. Brianna utilizes evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT , Dialectical Behavior Therapy DBT , and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT , to support clients in building lasting skills for improved mental health.

She also offers specialized interventions for sleep disorders, including CBT for Insomnia, to help clients achieve restorative rest and overall well-being. Outside of her practice, Brianna enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and listening to true crime podcasts. She also loves baking new recipes from scratch.