Pros and Cons of Working Remotely Versus in the Office in Private Practice

With remote work becoming a more viable option for many therapists, the choice to step away from the office is more tempting than ever before… Say hello to a better life/work balance! And for those therapists who absolutely love heading to the office and getting their face-to-face time with clients, in-person sessions are the absolute best.

So, how do you know which setup is right for your private practice? Today, we go over the pros and cons of working remotely versus in the office and what you need to know to help you make this decision.

NOTE: Remote therapy and in-person therapy are both effective ways for you to support clients. The choice between remote or in-person therapy sessions is up to you and those you support.

Reasons for Owning a Remote Private Practice

There’s no denying the mental health benefits of going fully remote as a therapist. Many cite a better life/work balance as one of the leading advantages of opening or transitioning to a virtual practice. Here are some our favorite pros for going virtual:

Flexibility

As a therapist, you can conduct a therapy session from anywhere you’re licensed. This allows you the flexibility to travel or take a session from home. It’s also a benefit for your clients who might not be able to make it to every office session.

Approachability

For clients who prefer more anonymity, teletherapy might be their preferred method of communicating with a therapist.

Freedom

The freedom to work from anywhere and provide client support whenever is a fantastic perk!

Improved Mental Health

For those therapists who spend time commuting to an office, transitioning to a virtual setup can help improve their overall life/work balance. If you’ve ever experienced burnout due to long hours and the stress of running your own private practice, a telehealth model may be the burnout recovery model for you.

Cons of a Remote Private Practice

Here are some of the potential drawbacks of owning a remote private practice:

Potential Lack of Personal Connection

For some clients, online therapy might not provide them with the personal connection they’d like. Some therapists might also prefer to work with clients in-person, at least until a therapist-client relationship has been established.

Insurance Might Not Cover Online Therapy for Your Clients

While insurance companies have started to accept online therapy, not all do. Encourage your clients to get in touch with their insurance company to determine if this is an option for them.

No Office Time

If you don’t have a space set up to conduct therapy sessions at home or find being at home too distracting, an office might just be the best fit for you. You also have the option of doing both: virtual and in-person sessions, according to your preferences and schedule.

In-Person Private Practice: Pros and Cons

For the therapist that enjoys working with clients in person, going fully remote might not be the fit for you. Here are our favorite reasons for working with clients in person:

Builds a Personal Connection

If you have clients who really value that in-person connection, an in-person practice may make more sense for you. It may also be easier for your clients to communicate with you in person and for you to pick up on their nonverbal cues and body language in the office.

You might also offer various types of therapies that have certain limitations over the internet or on the phone, such as EMDR.

Cultivates a Safe Space for Your Client

You might have clients who don’t have a safe, neutral space at home to spend time in while on a telehealth or online therapy session. Your office can provide them with that safety.

Here are our reasons why having an in-person practice might not be for you:

Poorer Quality of Life/Work Balance

You might be working on cultivating a better life/work balance and owning a private practice that allows you the freedom to create a schedule that works best for you. If you want more say over what your life/work balance looks like, an in-person practice may not be your best fit.

Commute May Be Difficult for Clients

If you have clients from remote parts of town or ones who can only meet in-office during rush hour traffic, they might prefer working with you online instead. A more hybrid model may be the perfect choice for you to accommodate all your clients and their various schedules and needs while also taking care of yourself too!

Do you want to access more resources on how to run a private practice you and your clients will LOVE? Check out our free trainings for private practice owners online today.