In-Person vs. Online Therapy: What’s Best for You?
Choosing the Right Format for Your Nervous System and Life
The way we access therapy has expanded in recent years. Many people now have a choice between in-person counselling in a local office and online therapy from the comfort of home. But with options come questions: Which format is right for you? What actually makes a difference?
At Tidal Trauma Centre, we offer both in-person and online therapy to clients across British Columbia. Whether you're navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, or relationship challenges, finding the right format can shape the safety and success of your experience.
Let’s explore the pros and considerations of each approach and how to choose what fits your nervous system, lifestyle, and goals.
The Benefits of In-Person Therapy
For some clients, being in the same room with a therapist offers a unique kind of co-regulation. The presence, eye contact, and subtle cues of an in-person connection can feel more grounding, especially when working with attachment wounding, dissociation, or deep emotional processing.
In-person therapy may be a better fit if:
You feel more connected in a shared physical space
You’re navigating nervous system dysregulation or frequent shutdown
You don’t have a quiet, private area at home
You benefit from grounding tools and sensory regulation during sessions
You find it difficult to stay present during virtual conversations
Some clients also appreciate the ritual of commuting before and after therapy. That space to emotionally prepare or decompress can be part of the healing rhythm.
At our Cloverdale location in Surrey, we’ve designed a calm, sensory-informed environment that helps your nervous system settle. From soft lighting to weighted blankets and quiet waiting areas, we honour the body’s need for regulation.
The Benefits of Online Therapy
Online therapy is more than just convenient, it can be a game-changer for accessibility, consistency, and emotional safety. Many people find they’re more open and relaxed when connecting from the familiarity of home.
Online therapy might be a better fit if:
You live in a rural or remote area and want specialized care
You have chronic illness, fatigue, or mobility challenges
Your schedule is unpredictable due to work, parenting, or caregiving
You feel safer or more emotionally available from your home environment
You need consistency while travelling or moving
At Tidal, all of our clinicians offer secure, encrypted video sessions for clients across British Columbia. We use JaneApp, a Canadian-based platform designed for privacy and ease.
Is One More Effective Than the Other?
Not necessarily. Both online and in-person therapy can be effective, especially when your therapist is skilled at attuning to you through either format. Research shows that for many modalities including EMDR, IFS, somatic therapy, AEDP, and EFT, online therapy works just as well as in-person care.
That said, some techniques may feel more natural in person. EMDR with tactile tools or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy that includes physical props may be easier to experience in a shared space. If you tend to feel disoriented by technology or distracted on video, in-person may offer a clearer path to presence.
What matters most is the sense of emotional safety, mutual trust, and pacing, whether that’s through a screen or in the room.
What If You’re Still Not Sure?
You don’t have to decide perfectly. Many clients start online and later move to in-person, or begin in-person and switch to virtual when life changes. Therapy is meant to flex with you.
At Tidal Trauma Centre, we’re here to help you find what’s right for your body and season of life, not just what’s convenient. You can always talk to your therapist about what format is working and change as needed.
Not Sure Which Option Is Right for You?
Let’s figure it out together.
Fill out a New Client Form to get matched with one or more of our counsellors. If you’re ready, book a free consult or appointment.
-
Yes. Research consistently shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many concerns, including anxiety, trauma, depression, and relationship challenges. What matters most is your comfort, privacy, and the strength of the connection with your therapist.
-
Some clients find it harder to regulate during virtual sessions, especially if they’re working through dissociation or attachment trauma. In these cases, in-person sessions can offer co-regulation and somatic grounding that feel more supportive. Talk to your therapist about what you’re noticing, the format can always be adjusted.
-
Absolutely. Many clients start with one format and shift to another depending on what feels right in their current season. We can help you transition between options smoothly and you’re never locked into one way of doing therapy.
-
Our Cloverdale office in Surrey is calm, sensory-sensitive, and intentionally trauma-informed. We use adjustable lighting, grounding props, and quiet waiting areas to help clients feel safe and supported from the moment they arrive.
-
Start by asking: Where do I feel safest opening up in a shared space or from the comfort of home? If you're unsure, we offer free consults where you can talk through your preferences and get matched with a therapist who offers both options.
You Might Also Be Interested In:
Blogs
Services
Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or mental health advice. It is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.