Thinking About Returning to In-Person Therapy? What You Need to Consider — and How Therapy Notes Software Can Help

As the therapy world continues to change rapidly, many are wrestling with the decision to keep their sessions virtual or return to in-person care. Depending on your specialty, this choice may seem more clear for you — for instance, a physical therapist may see a greater need for in-person sessions than a speech-language pathologist. You may have even just opened your new practice and are wondering when it’s realistic to start seeing clients face-to-face. But whatever your discipline, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routines, and you’re probably wondering what the future might hold. Points to Consider: Location: If you reside in a state with restrictive COVID-19 guidelines, you may want to proceed with greater caution when seeing clients in person. Large metropolitan areas, like Los Angeles, may continue to enforce lockdowns, curfews, and other health-related restrictions — while less restrictive states, like Hawaii, may enable therapists to safely practice in person. Staying up to date with your local regulations is crucial in keeping both you and your clients healthy. Clients: Your clients’ preferences and home environments should be a major consideration when making your decision. Do they have a comfortable and safe space for sessions? Are there health vulnerabilities or financial pressures you need to account for? All these details should be carefully evaluated to enable you to provide the best care for your clients while honoring their unique situations. Your Own Health: At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic shows few signs of slowing down, your health — and the health of your family — must be a top priority. If you have a health condition, a compromised immune system, or you care for someone at high-risk, choosing to remain fully remote might be safest. However, if you’re healthy and able to manage your exposure, a careful return to in-person care might be reasonable with appropriate safeguards in place. Effectiveness: The decision to go back to in-person therapy should be influenced by your treatment’s effectiveness and your specialty’s requirements. If you’re experiencing difficulty delivering care remotely, or if your discipline involves extensive hands-on techniques, in-person sessions may be more appropriate. However, if you’re seeing strong progress through teletherapy, retaining a virtual platform alongside in-person care might maximize your reach and outcomes. Convenience and Cost: Providing therapy remotely is often more convenient and cost-effective — for both clinician and patient. This can enable you to cut down on expenses related to travel and physical space, freeing up resources for patient care. Furthermore, by employing therapy notes software, you can streamline your documentation process, track progress efficiently, and manage patient information safely — whether you’re in person or not. This lets you devote more time to delivering high-caliber care, while reducing administrative overwhelm. Ultimately, there’s no universal answer for when or whether you should return to in-person therapy. Each clinician must weigh their unique situation alongside their clients’ preferences and health needs. When you account for your location, clients’ health, your own health, treatment outcomes, and financial pressures — and leverage tools like therapy notes software — you can make a well-informed, tailored decision that best serves everyone involved.