Artisan Counseling Blog

Artisan Counseling is dedicated to the craft of individual, couples and family counseling. In order to achieve this goal we are creating a blog that is designed to provide additional information and resources for clients, counselors and anyone a helping profession. The Artisan Blog may include information about books, articles and other helpful resources but honestly this is our first blog so we will see how it goes.

In-Person vs. Telehealth Counseling: Which Is Better?

By: Artisan Team
April 13, 2026
7:27 pm

If you’re thinking about starting counseling, one of the first decisions you’ll face is format: in-person or virtual?

At Artisan Counseling, we offer both options at our offices in Newport News and Suffolk, VA, plus telehealth for anyone in Virginia.

The honest answer: the best format depends on your life, your preferences, and what you’re working on.

What In-Person Counseling Looks Like

You drive to the office, sit in a private room, and talk face-to-face with your counselor for about 50 minutes.

Benefits of In-Person Sessions

Full body language visibility
Physical separation between therapy and daily life
No technical issues
Privacy from household members
Better suited for some modalities like art therapy and couples counseling

Who Prefers In-Person

People working through trauma who want a dedicated space
Clients with limited privacy at home
Couples who benefit from both partners being in the same room

What Telehealth Counseling Looks Like

You connect via a secure video platform. Same session length, same clinical standards, same insurance billing.

Benefits of Telehealth

No commute
Schedule flexibility
Continuity during travel or life changes
Access for those with mobility issues
Comfort of your own environment

Who Prefers Virtual Sessions

Parents with young children
People with shifting work schedules
College students
Clients with chronic illness or disabilities
Anyone in Virginia without proximity to an office

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology (2020) found that telehealth outcomes are comparable to in-person sessions for anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Where Each Format Shines

Modality	In-Person	Telehealth
CBT	✅	✅
DBT	✅	✅
ACT	✅	✅
IFS	✅	✅
Narrative Therapy	✅	✅
EMDR	✅ (preferred)	✅ (with adaptation)
Art Therapy	✅ (preferred)	Possible with adaptation
Somatic Therapy	✅	✅ (depends on approach)

You Can Switch Anytime

This isn’t a permanent decision. Many clients start one way and switch as life changes. Hybrid approaches are common and fully supported at Artisan Counseling.