Messaging-first + scheduled sessions
Side-by-side highlights with clear “Visit” buttons (swap URLs anytime).
BetterHelp Top pick
Best overall fit for most people
Talkspace
Good for messaging-first support
Online-Therapy.com
Structured tools + sessions
Brian P Bowman MD is a pediatrician who joined our team in 2001 and sees patients full-time at our Apex office. Specializing in child behavioral development and children with disabilities, Dr. Bowman is also a chair of the Department of Pediatrics at WakeMed Cary, a member of the Pediatric Advisory Group at Wake Med Children’s Hospital, and on the Physician’s Advisory Group with BCBS of NC. He is actively involved with the North Carolina Pediatric Society. Dr. Bowman and his wife Helen have 3 children; Barry, Spencer, and Mary. Together, they enjoy a range of activities, such as adventure travel, backpacking, scuba diving, and watching baseball. Dr. Bowman is also a volunteer youth baseball coach and Boy Scout leader, and his family is part of the USA Baseball Host Family program.
Not sure whether to see a therapist in person or online? This comparison highlights why online therapy is often the more flexible and accessible option.
| Aspect | In-Person Therapy | Online Therapy (often more flexible) |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience & Time | ✖️ Requires travel, scheduling time off, and a fixed location. | ✔️ No travel; join from home, office, or car when it suits you. |
| Scheduling Flexibility | ✖️ Mostly office hours; fewer last-minute or out-of-hours options. | ✔️ Early morning, evening, and lunchtime sessions are easier to find. |
| Comfort & Privacy | ✖️ Waiting rooms, chance of meeting someone you know, commuting when feeling low. | ✔️ Talk from your safest private space at home or elsewhere; no waiting room. |
| Therapist Availability | ✖️ Limited to providers within driving distance and local specialties. | ✔️ Access a much wider pool of therapists, including niche expertise. |
| Cost & Extra Time | ✖️ Parking, travel expenses, and extra commuting time around each session. | ✔️ No travel or parking costs; time is spent on the session, not the journey. |
| Accessibility | ✖️ Harder for rural areas, busy parents, chronic illness or mobility issues. | ✔️ Accessible from anywhere with internet; ideal for busy or remote lifestyles. |
| Consistency | ✖️ Travel, moving, or bad weather can interrupt or cancel sessions. | ✔️ Continue therapy even while travelling or during bad weather days. |
| Best For | ✖️ Situations where physical presence or hands-on support is essential. | ✔️ Most stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues and life transitions. |
| Limitations | ✖️ Less flexible; easier to miss sessions due to travel or schedule conflicts. | ✔️ Requires internet and a private space; not suitable for emergency situations. |
Bottom line: For most people, online therapy offers the best mix of convenience, comfort, and therapist choice—while still providing high-quality support.
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Online Therapist is a directory and does not provide crisis intervention or emergency services.
If you are in crisis, feeling unsafe, or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
In the United States, you can also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
