Debunking Top 5 Online Therapy Myths | BC Clinical Counsellors

Does online therapy actually work? In short, yes. Our BC therapists break down the most common online therapy misconceptions.

We get it—opening up to a therapist online therapy can sound a bit strange at first.

When therapy moved online in a big way during the pandemic, a lot of people weren’t sure what to think. Does virtual therapy really work? How secure is teletherapy? Does connecting online cause you to feel disconnected from your therapist?

Traditionally, therapy meant driving to an office and waiting in a waiting room before sitting down across from a therapist. You’d share the difficult truths you’d been holding onto face-to-face. So the idea of opening up so personally through a screen can feel like a mismatch, even a compromise.

At Vitality Collective, we’ve supported hundreds of people through online therapy across BC, and we’ve heard the same doubts from clients who weren’t sure if virtual sessions would feel real, connected, or secure. But while online therapy may still be relatively new in the larger cultural conversation, it’s not new to us—and it’s definitely not a lesser version of care.

In fact, online therapy has opened doors for so many people who might otherwise never have been able to access support. But to understand how and why it works, we first need to look at the stories we tell ourselves about it, and where those stories fall short.

Let’s talk about five of the most common myths about online therapy, and the more compassionate truths underneath them.

Myth 1: “Trauma and somatic therapies like EMDR don’t work online.”

Truth: With the right training and support, these therapies can be just as effective virtually—and sometimes even more so.

This is one of the most common concerns we hear when someone is considering trauma-focused therapy. EMDR, somatic experiencing, and other body-based approaches are deeply rooted in the nervous system. Because of that, many people assume that you have to be in the same physical space as your therapist for it to be effective, or even safe.

But the reality is, these modalities have been carefully adapted for online use, and many therapists at Vitality Collective are trained specifically in how to deliver them through secure virtual platforms. EMDR, for example, often involves bilateral stimulation to help reprocess traumatic memories. Online, this can be done with tapping (which the client does themselves, guided by their therapist), auditory cues, or visual prompts on screen. Somatic therapies, which focus on the body’s responses and sensations, can also be done remotely with intentional pacing, gentle guidance, and plenty of co-regulation.

One of the beautiful things we’ve noticed is that doing this work in your own space, whether that’s a bedroom, home office, or even your parked car, can actually feel more regulating. You’re surrounded by familiar sensory input, which often helps the nervous system feel safer and more grounded than it might in an unfamiliar office. When done thoughtfully and collaboratively, trauma work online can be powerful, personal, and deeply healing.

Myth 2: “Online therapy isn’t as effective as in-person therapy.”

Truth: For most people and most concerns, research shows that online therapy is just as effective, and it can even lead to greater consistency and long-term success.

We understand the concern: therapy can feel like such a personal, human experience. Sitting in the same room as someone, noticing their body language, their warmth, the gentle energy they bring, it all contributes to a sense of safety. So it makes sense that people worry some of that might be lost online.

But here’s what both research and our own experience show: online therapy is highly effective for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, trauma, life transitions, relationship issues, and more. And for many people, being able to attend therapy from home (or anywhere they feel safe) actually makes them more open and consistent.

It removes huge barriers: no commute, no need for childcare, no coordinating traffic or time off work. That flexibility means clients are more likely to stick with therapy, which leads to deeper engagement and better long-term outcomes. What’s also true is that therapy is not only about location—it’s about relationship. It’s about feeling seen, understood, and supported. And that connection absolutely can (and does) happen through a screen.

Myth 3: “It’s not private or secure.”

Truth: Therapists are ethically bound to ensure your privacy, and online therapy uses encrypted, secure platforms that meet the same confidentiality standards as in-person care.

When you’re sharing vulnerable parts of yourself, feeling safe matters deeply. That’s why concerns about privacy and confidentiality in online therapy are so valid—and why we take them seriously.

At Vitality Collective, we use secure, encrypted video platforms designed specifically for healthcare use in Canada. These systems meet all legal privacy requirements under provincial and federal laws. Just like in an office setting, anything you share with your therapist stays confidential, protected by both technology and ethics.

We also support our clients in finding ways to make their own space feel private and safe. That might look like wearing headphones so others can’t hear the conversation, finding a quiet corner in your home, or even sitting in your car for a session. Some clients let us know up front that they may be interrupted by children or family members, and that’s okay too. Therapy doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real. And we’re here to help you make it work.

Myth 4: “It’ll feel impersonal or awkward. I won’t really connect with my therapist.”

Truth: Emotional connection doesn’t rely on physical presence. It’s built through safety, consistency, and authentic human attunement—all of which are very much possible online.

This fear often stems from the belief that human connection can’t happen through a screen, or that it’s somehow diluted or less “real” than face-to-face interactions. But think about the relationships you’ve maintained through text, FaceTime, or Zoom. Connection doesn’t need physical proximity to be powerful. It needs emotional attunement. And good therapists know how to create that no matter where you are.

At Vitality Collective, our therapists are trained to bring the same level of presence, warmth, and compassion to online sessions as they do in person. We check in with clients often about how the format is feeling, and we adapt to your needs. Some people like to keep their camera on, others turn it off during moments of overwhelm. Some find it easier to open up when they don’t have to make eye contact the entire time. These adjustments aren’t limitations—they’re part of making therapy feel safe and supportive for you.

Time and again, we’ve seen rich therapeutic relationships form online. And for many clients, the distance of the screen actually helps them feel a little safer: a little more in control of how much they want to share and when. That’s not a downside. That’s a doorway.

Myth 5: “I’m not tech-savvy enough, or it’ll feel too awkward or unprofessional.”

Truth: You don’t need to be good with technology to benefit from therapy. And feeling awkward at first is normal—and temporary.

It’s totally normal to feel unsure about the logistics of online therapy, especially if you don’t use video calls often. You might worry about how to log in, whether the sound will work, what happens if the connection drops, or whether it’ll feel uncomfortable staring at a screen for 50 minutes.

We want to reassure you: this doesn’t have to be complicated. We guide every client through the setup, and we’re available to troubleshoot. Most platforms are as easy as clicking a link. And if tech truly isn’t your thing, phone sessions are a beautiful alternative: intimate, flexible, and just as effective.

As for the awkwardness? That tends to fade quickly. Just like in-person therapy, the first session is often a little uncertain as you get to know your therapist. But once you settle in, most people find that they forget the screen altogether. What remains is the conversation: the presence, the insight, the care. And that’s what makes therapy healing, no matter the format.

Online Therapy BC | Virtual Therapy In Canada

At Vitality Collective, we offer online therapy because we’ve seen how much it can change lives—especially for people who might not have been able to access therapy otherwise. Whether you're a parent without childcare, someone living outside a major city, managing chronic health conditions, or simply someone who finds comfort in their own home, virtual therapy opens a door that might’ve felt closed before.

And when we say we meet you where you are, we mean it. In your discomfort, your uncertainty, your messiness. In your grief, your curiosity, your hope.

Therapy doesn’t have to start when everything is falling apart. It can start now: with questions, hesitations, and all. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to say. You just need a space where you’re allowed to say it.

We’d be honoured to hold that space with you—online, and on your terms. Reaching out for support just got easier. You can now text Vitality Collective directly at 1-855-425-4310 to ask a question, book your first session or simply connect. No phone calls, no pressure, just a simple way to take that first step.

To learn more about our online therapy services in BC, please click here. Or, fill out our New Client Inquiry Form to get started.