Dear Friends,
I’m thrilled to introduce you to a new venture that has been close to my heart: InPersonTherapy.com. The very name makes me pause—it seems almost absurd. Before the pandemic, therapy was universally understood as an in-person activity; there was no need to specify “in-person” or “virtual.” Yet now, with 70-80% of therapy being conducted through screens and phones, calling it “in-person therapy” sounds strangely redundant—like when McDonald’s began advertising “real chicken” in their nuggets. It begs the question: what were we consuming before, and how did we not notice?
Despite the oddity of the situation, a platform dedicated to supporting quality in-person therapy has become more essential than ever. The landscape of psychotherapy has transformed into a big business, with companies like BetterHelp dominating the market and shaping standards—often prioritizing profit over ethics and quality. While these services may offer convenience, they come with significant drawbacks. BetterHelp, for instance, has faced criticism for sharing protected client data and providing impersonal modes of engagement, such as text therapy managed by algorithms. It’s fast, easy, and cheap—but is it truly fulfilling?
This is where InPersonTherapy.com steps in. Our mission is to support both clients and therapists who value the integrity of in-person therapy. Many clients prefer the tangible connection of face-to-face sessions, yet struggle to find therapists who offer them. They search through directories like Psychology Today or Zocdoc, only to be met with, “I’m sorry, I don’t update that page often. I don’t have any availability for in-person sessions, but I can offer Zoom.” For therapists, the challenges are equally complex. Many feel isolated and unfulfilled by virtual work, longing for the richness of in-person engagement, but find the financial and logistical barriers daunting.
InPersonTherapy.com addresses these hurdles head-on. We connect clients to therapists committed to in-person work, providing marketing support through consultations, email promotions, and social media outreach, allowing therapists to focus on what they do best—helping others. For clients, we offer an updated directory of therapists who prioritize in-person sessions. We’re also developing a marketplace for office space, enabling therapists to rent by the day and reduce financial risks. Soon, we’ll expand to support in-person group therapy by managing advertising, intake, and scheduling—freeing therapists to grow their practice without added administrative burdens.
At its core, InPersonTherapy.com is about preserving the authenticity of psychotherapy. While virtual therapy has undeniably opened doors for many, the essence of deep, personal connection thrives in face-to-face interactions. Much like fast food, virtual therapy provides convenience, but at what cost? We risk losing sight of the nourishing aspects that truly make therapy impactful.
I invite you to join me on this journey. If you know anyone who could benefit from this platform—therapists eager to reconnect with in-person work or clients seeking a more personal therapy experience—please share InPersonTherapy.com with them. Your support is invaluable as we strive to uphold the meaningful connections that make therapy transformative.
Thank you for your encouragement and support as we embark on this exciting endeavor.
Warmly,
James Norwood
