Online or In-Person Therapy?

The Setting Is Part of the Decision

Online therapy may seem like the obvious choice when you are balancing work and a baby. An office may appeal because it is one place where nobody expects you to answer the door or start the laundry. The right practical choice can depend on what your days are actually like.

I offer appointments in Prince George and by telehealth while you are physically in Virginia. This guide helps you think through the setting. It does not ask you to decide which option is universally better or to choose a treatment approach before we meet.

Privacy Means More Than a Closed Door

For an online appointment, consider who can hear you and who might enter the room. A bedroom can feel private until someone needs something from it. Headphones may help you hear the session, but they do not keep other people from hearing your voice.

Think about whether you can speak freely about the people who share your home. If you would spend the whole appointment monitoring the hallway, tell me. We can discuss the setting before beginning rather than expecting you to make a difficult arrangement work silently.

Count the Whole Appointment Window

An office appointment involves travel, parking, and time to return to the rest of your day. Telehealth removes the drive, but it still requires protected time. A session between two meetings can be technically possible and feel rushed in practice.

Look at your actual calendar. Consider the time before and after, who is responsible for childcare, and whether someone at work expects you to remain reachable. The goal is a setting you can use consistently, not one that looks convenient only on paper.

Notice What Each Place Asks of You

Some people prefer being away from home for conversations they find difficult. Others prefer a familiar room and the absence of a commute. You may have a strong preference or no clear one at all.

You can bring that preference to the consultation. If an office setting reminds you of a difficult medical experience, say so without assuming you must choose telehealth. If video feels unfamiliar or awkward, that is also useful information for us to discuss.

Check the Online Setup

• 01

  A reliable connection and a device you can use without holding it throughout the appointment.

• 02

  A room where you can be heard clearly and speak without being overheard.

• 03

  A plan for interruptions, including work calls, deliveries, and childcare.

• 04

  Confirmation that you will be physically in Virginia when the session takes place.

If any part of that setup is uncertain, bring it up before scheduling. Do not assume that a work device, shared office, or planned trip will suit an appointment without checking the practical details.

Keep Format and Setting Separate

Weekly therapy and an intensive are two care formats. Online and in person are two settings. Choosing video does not mean choosing shorter-term care, and coming to the office does not by itself mean an intensive is appropriate.

Weekly individual sessions are 50 minutes at $300, following a $450 initial evaluation. The $2,500 intensive includes a 90-minute intake, separate four-hour session, workbook, and 30-minute follow-up 30 days later. Both setting and format belong in the consultation discussion.

When Your Circumstances Change

A move, a new work schedule, travel, or a change in childcare may affect what you can protect. Raise those changes with me so we can discuss the arrangement rather than assuming an existing appointment will work in a new location.

You do not need a permanent answer before requesting a consultation. Start with the setting you are considering and what might make it difficult. We can think through the practical details together.