The digital revolution has swept through every corner of our lives, including therapy. Teletherapy has become a genuinely popular and effective option, and we offer it throughout Colorado, Arizona, and California for clients who prefer it.
At the same time, meeting in person at one of our Denver-area offices is still a great fit for many people. So which is right for you? The honest answer: neither is universally “better.” In-person and online therapy are two equally valid, research-supported ways to do the work, and the best choice depends on your goals, your schedule, and how you like to connect. Below, we walk through where in-person therapy shines — and where online is often the more practical choice — so you can decide with confidence.
1. The Power of Presence: Sharing a physical room can create a tangible sense of connection, and nonverbal cues like body language are easy to read face to face. The American Psychological Association highlights the “therapeutic alliance” — the bond between therapist and client — as central to effective treatment. It’s worth knowing that research consistently finds this alliance can be just as strong over video. If you feel more at ease opening up from your own space, online sessions may help you build that bond even faster.
2. The Synergy of Space: An office offers a dedicated space for healing, free from everyday distractions, at our locations in Denver, Lone Tree, and Greenwood Village. A 2023 study in the Journal of Clinical Psychology noted some clients felt focused and engaged in person. For others, home is the better setting — no commute, no childcare scramble, and none of the friction that leads people to cancel or put off getting help. The best space is the one you’ll show up to consistently.
3. Beyond Words: The Multisensory Experience: In-person work can incorporate movement, expressive arts, and mindfulness that draw on physical presence. Many of these approaches — including EMDR — have also been adapted very successfully for virtual sessions. Your therapist can help you decide whether a particular method is a better fit online or in the room, based on your goals.
4. Connecting With a Local Therapist: Working with someone who understands the Mile High context can foster a real sense of belonging — and you don’t have to give that up to go online. Our therapists live and work in Colorado, so you get the same local insight whether you meet at the office or over video from anywhere in the state.
5. A Personalized, Not One-Size-Fits-All, Approach: Both formats let you work with a therapist matched to your needs — unlike large virtual platforms like Talkspace and BetterHelp, where you generally can’t choose your therapist based on their training or qualifications. With My Denver Therapy, you get the same experienced, hand-matched clinicians and tailored approach whether you meet in person or online.
So how do you choose? In-person therapy may be the better fit if you value a dedicated space away from home, prefer face-to-face connection, or want hands-on, movement-based work. Online therapy is often the more practical choice if you have a packed schedule, live outside the Denver metro, juggle childcare or transportation, or simply feel most comfortable in your own environment. Plenty of clients blend both. There’s no wrong answer — only the option that helps you show up week after week.
If you’re weighing your options, know that our full range of services — including EMDR, IFS, couples work, and trauma therapy — is available both in person at our four Denver-area locations and online throughout Colorado. Learn more about our online therapy in Colorado.
Whichever path you choose, My Denver Therapy is here to help you find the right fit. Reach out today and we’ll match you with a therapist — and a format — that works for your life.
Additional Resources:
- American Psychological Association (APA): https://www.apa.org/
- Journal of Clinical Psychology: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10974679
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/Home
