In a world where nearly everything can happen through a screen — work, school, grocery shopping, even exercise — it’s no surprise that therapy has followed suit. Virtual sessions have expanded access and flexibility, helping countless people find the support they need. But as we settle into this digital comfort zone, it’s worth asking: what might we be losing when therapy becomes another video call?

It’s not that this can’t happen virtually. It can. But the bandwidth for connection feels different when you share oxygen instead of pixels.

An in-person session happens in a space designed for reflection. A calm, private office helps the mind settle. It signals, “This is your time.”

At home, distractions are everywhere: the ping of a text, a child’s footsteps, the temptation to check an email. Even if you’re physically present in a session, your environment might not be emotionally available. Therapy works best when the body and mind both know they’re safe enough to feel.

When you step into a therapist’s office, you’re also stepping out of your usual environment — the one filled with routines, stressors, and expectations. That shift in space can itself be therapeutic. It helps you see your life from a slight distance, which often makes new perspectives easier to find.

Neuroscience reminds us that co-regulation — the process by which two nervous systems calm each other — happens best face-to-face. The therapist’s tone of voice, facial expressions, and even posture can help stabilize a client’s emotional state. In virtual sessions, this co-regulation is filtered through lag, lighting, and limited screen frames.

Therapy isn’t just talking. It’s also a somatic experience — one that involves our senses, our movement, and our shared human energy. The warmth of presence can be grounding in a way no Wi-Fi connection can replicate.

Of course, there are times when online therapy is not only helpful but necessary. It removes geographic barriers, makes therapy possible for people with disabilities, and offers access during crises or travel. For many, it’s a lifeline.

But when possible, combining both formats — a “hybrid” approach — can offer the best of both worlds. Virtual sessions for flexibility; in-person ones for depth.

The heart of therapy is human connection. When we’re in the same room, we share not just words, but presence. We read each other’s energy, we breathe together, we feel the pause after something important is said. That’s where healing often lives — in those quiet, shared moments that remind us we’re not alone.

So, if you have the chance, show up. Sit in the chair. Let the silence do some of the work. Sometimes, the most powerful part of therapy isn’t what’s said — it’s simply being there.