Why In-Person Therapy Is Making a Comeback
The Shift Back to the Couch
For several years, online therapy dominated the conversation, brought on by the need for rapid flexibility during the pandemic, when almost all therapy moved to Zoom. But now? Clients are returning to in-person therapy in growing numbers.
While telehealth remains an important option, many people are rediscovering the unique benefits of being in the room with their therapist, when accessible. Here’s why in-person therapy is resonating so strongly right now.
1. The Power of Shared Space
There’s something profoundly grounding about sitting in the same room as another person. In-person therapy allows for:
Nonverbal connection – A shared glance, a sigh, even silence feels different when you’re together.
Ritual and transition – Traveling to an office you love to be in, sitting down in “your” chair, and leaving afterward all create structure that can help therapy sink in.
A safe haven – Many clients say their therapist’s office becomes a “container” for their feelings—something that’s hard to replicate on a laptop in their bedroom.
2. Screen Fatigue Is Real
After years of remote work, remote school, and remote everything, many clients are tired of being on screens.
In-person therapy gives them a break from Zoom.
For some, seeing their therapist in person feels more “real” and less transactional.
3. Privacy Matters
Not everyone has the luxury of a private room for therapy calls.
Parents may have kids at home.
Couples may live in small apartments.
Roommates may be within earshot.
Going to an office provides confidentiality and relief—a place where clients can speak freely without worrying who might overhear.
4. The Sensory Experience of an Office
In-person therapy engages more than just words. Clients experience:
The smell of calming tea or a candle
The feel of a soft blanket on the couch
The grounding presence of a plant-filled, serene room
These sensory cues create a healing atmosphere—one that can’t be fully replicated over Zoom.
5. Therapists Feel It, Too
Many therapists report feeling more connected and effective in person.
Easier to read body language and subtle cues
Stronger sense of energetic presence
Less digital exhaustion
When therapists feel better in the room, clients benefit too.
What the Numbers Say
A 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association found that 60% of therapists were offering more in-person sessions again compared to 2021.
Clients reported that they were more satisfied with the “depth of connection” in in-person therapy versus telehealth.
Conclusion: A Return to the Roots of Therapy
Online therapy isn’t going anywhere—it’s an essential tool for access and convenience. But in-person therapy is having a renaissance because it offers something irreplaceable: human presence, safe space, and a feeling of being truly “held” in the work.
For many clients, walking into a therapist’s office feels like crossing into a place of healing—and that’s worth leaving the house for.
If you’re ready to get back to the couch and try out in-person therapy again, I can help you set up your own office, or offer you an already furnished office to sublet on a month-to-month basis. Let’s chat!