is online therapy effective?

What the research and real experience shows

Online therapy has become a familiar option for many people, and not just out of convenience. Over the past decade, a substantial amount of research has shown that online sessions can be just as effective as traditional in-person therapy for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, and low self-esteem.

One of the reasons it works so well is simple: therapy relies on connection, not location. What matters most is the therapeutic relationship, the idea of feeling understood, supported, and able to explore your inner world safely. This can happen in a room, but it can also happen across a screen, as long as the environment feels contained and you’re able to speak openly.

Online therapy also removes some of the barriers that make it difficult for people to start or continue therapy. You don’t have to navigate travel, waiting rooms, or the pressure of rushing from work to an appointment. For some, being in a familiar environment helps them open up more easily. Others find that talking from home reduces the pressure of being “on,” allowing the work to unfold more naturally.

There are also practical advantages:

• It’s easier to maintain consistency, even during busy weeks.
• People with chronic health conditions or mobility difficulties can access support more comfortably.
• Those living in shared housing or rural areas have more choice in finding a therapist who genuinely fits their needs.

Of course, online therapy isn’t perfect for everyone and it’s a fact that some people simply prefer being in the same room, and that preference is completely valid. What’s important is choosing the format that allows you to show up as yourself and do the work you want to do.

At the end of the day, online therapy isn’t a “lesser” version of the in-person type of work. It’s just a different doorway into the same changing process; one that can be flexible, accessible, and deeply supportive.

**Proofread with a little help from AI. The thoughts, feelings, and the questionable sense of humour are entirely my own.