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
Christopher J. Ketchman, Psy.D., ABPP is a board certified Clinical Psychology professional with expertise in cognitive behavioral interventions for a variety of mental health conditions. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 2004 and is licensed to practice psychology in North Carolina. Dr. Ketchman’s specialized training covers PTSD and depression, as well as his doctoral program specialization in forensic psychology. At the Fayetteville VA Medical Center, he served as the Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Operation Enduring Freedom clinical coordinator and was a contract psychologist at Womack Army Medical Center. Currently, Dr. Ketchman is a partner at the Haymount Institute for Psychological Services, servicing Fayetteville, Hope Mills, and Raeford North Carolina. He established the Haymount Institute for Psychological Assessment in 2008 and offers an array of psychological testing services, including assessments for learning disabilities, intelligence, personality, autism/pervasive developmental disorders, ADHD, neuropsychological screenings, forensic evaluations, and pre-surgical evaluations. Additionally, Dr. Ketchman provides forensic psychological evaluations and is the Director of Clinical Training for doctoral and master’s degree eligible students at the Haymount Institute. As an approved pre-doctoral internship site by the Association of Psychology Post Doctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC), the Haymount Institute is nationally recognized and is in the process of receiving local endorsement to provide specialty services.
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.
