ENG-123 Final Project (1)

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Southern New Hampshire University *

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ENG-123

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English

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Jan 9, 2024

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docx

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Souther New Hampshire University In-Person Therapy Vs. Virtual Therapy A Side-by-Side Comparison Mackenzie Connell ENG-123: English Composition II

The efficacy of face-to-face therapy compared to online therapy is a subject of debate in the field of Psychology. As a student of Forensic Psychology, therapy is a topic that I will encounter regularly both in my academic and professional life. The issue is complex, and opinions on the matter are divided. Some argue that face-to-face therapy is the only effective means of treatment, particularly for those who require socialization. People with mental health disorders often struggle with forming connections and may find online therapy isolating. However, others argue that online therapy is a more convenient and accessible option, especially for those with severe anxiety, technology struggles, or mobility issues. Although online therapy offers convenience for individuals who prefer not to interact with a therapist in person, face-to- face therapy is more advantageous because therapists can accurately assess patients through body language and people without internet access, including those in lower economic classes or the elderly, can also receive necessary treatment. Despite the convenience and accessibility that online therapy offers, face-to-face therapy is a more helpful form of treatment due to the ability of therapists to accurately assess patients and the inclusion of individuals without internet access, such as those in lower economic classes or the elderly, in necessary treatment. To begin, some may ask what the difference between traditional talk therapy is when compared to virtual therapy. Talk therapy is a type of mental health support where you meet with a licensed therapist in person. This usually consists of one session per week in the office, which lasts around 45 minutes to an hour. When you meet a therapist in person, they can notice nonverbal cues that go along with what you are saying, and this can allow them to understand your needs better. In-person therapy can be a good break away from your normal life as well. A therapist's office can feel like a neutral location that makes you feel increased comfortability and

provides you with a push to share personal information. Virtual therapy is a type of mental health support that you can get from anywhere. There are several types of online therapy such as texting, emailing, phone calls, and video calls. If you use virtual options like texting and emailing, you can speak to your therapist from almost anywhere at any time. Online services make it easy to get therapeutic support quickly and easily. Depending on the individual, one may sound more appealing than the other but what is important is which is more effective. There is evidence to suggest that in-person therapy is more effective than virtual therapy for certain mental health conditions. One study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders in 2021found that face-to-face therapy was more effective for depression than therapy done by video call. This study involved over 180 participants who were randomly assigned to either virtual or traditional talk therapy. The researchers found that those who received traditional therapy had greater improvements in depression symptoms than those who received virtual therapy. Jha et al. (2021) conducted another study that found the effectiveness of in-person therapy for social anxiety disorder. The study involved over 70 participants randomly assigned to traditional or virtual therapy. The researchers found that those who received traditional therapy had greater improvements in their social anxiety symptoms than those who received virtual therapy. While these studies suggest that traditional talk therapy may be more effective than virtual therapy for certain mental health disorders, it is important to note that both forms of therapy are helpful options for an individual. Additionally, recent research shows that face-to-face therapy may supply better treatment outcomes than online therapy. Milosevic et al. (2016) conducted a study comparing group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and related disorders delivered via videoconference to face-to-face therapy. Results showed that face-to-face therapy was more

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