Online THerapy In Minnesota Can open doors - and we want to be honest about the ones it doesn't
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
One of the reasons online therapy has grown so much over the past several years is that it genuinely has made mental health care more accessible for a lot of people. And that matters. Access to good care matters.
But we've seen enough conversations about telehealth that skip over the real limitations - and we think that does people a disservice. So this post is both things: a real look at where online therapy opens doors, and an honest look at where it doesn't.
Part of the Online Therapy Minnesota series - start with the full overview: Online Therapy in Minnesota: Everything You Need to Know |
Where online therapy can genuinely help
Geography
Minnesota is a big state with a lot of space between towns. If you're in a rural community - or even a suburb where the nearest therapists with availability are a 45-minute drive - online therapy means you don't have to factor in that commute, or limit your search to whoever's physically closest.
Physical access and chronic illness
If you have a disability, a chronic health condition, or mobility challenges, getting yourself to an office on a regular basis can be exhausting or simply not possible on some days. Online therapy means your care doesn't depend on how your body is feeling that morning.
Schedules that don't have much margin
Parents, shift workers, people with multiple jobs - finding 45-50 minutes for therapy plus commute time can feel impossible. Online sessions can fit into gaps in a day that an in-person appointment just wouldn't.
Anxiety about new environments or social situations
For some people, the idea of sitting in a waiting room or navigating a new building adds a layer of stress that makes starting therapy harder. Being able to begin from home - somewhere already familiar - can lower that bar in a meaningful way.
Where online therapy can actually create barriers
This part matters just as much.
Private space isn't guaranteed
Therapy requires being able to speak honestly, and that requires privacy. If you share a living space with others, finding private space can be hard.
People find workarounds: sitting in their car, using headphones, waiting until the living space is empty. These can help. But it's worth being real with yourself about whether you'd be able to speak freely (and safely), because that matters for whether therapy can actually be useful.
Internet access is still unequal
Broadband access across Minnesota is improving, but it's still not consistent - especially in rural areas. Telehealth depends on a stable connection. Dropped calls and frozen screens aren't just annoying; they interrupt the flow of a session and can make it harder to stay present and connected.
Technology comfort varies
Video platforms aren't intuitive for everyone, and that's okay. But if navigating technology adds stress to your day, it might make the experience of therapy itself harder, which is the opposite of what we want.
Therapeutic fit and certain modalities
Some types of care, and some clinical situations, really are better suited to being in the same room as someone. That's not a judgement - it's just reality. We will be honest with you if we think in-person care would serve you better.
The honest answer: it depends on your situation
Online therapy isn't more or less legitimate than in-person therapy. It's a different format, with real advantages for some situations and real limitations for others. The question is whether it's the right fit for your life right now.
At MindBalance Mental Health Care, we offer both. We're not trying to push you toward telehealth because it's convenient for us — we want you to get care in the way that's actually going to work. If you're not sure which one might be right for you, reach out, and we'll think it through together.
How Mindbalance approaches this
We practice from an anti-oppressive, neurodivergent-affirming framework and are grounded in body liberation and Health at Every Size (HAES) principles — and part of that in practice is giving people real information, not just a sales pitch.
That includes being honest about the limitations of online therapy, as we've done above. It also means we try to make the parts of mental health care that often feel confusing a little clearer — things like how to use insurance for therapy, or what actually happens during a diagnostic assessment. Because getting good care shouldn't require fluency in a system most people have never been taught to navigate.
Also in the Online Therapy Minnesota Series:
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you're curious about online therapy in Minnesota — or if you'd just like to talk with someone about whether it's the right fit — we'd love to hear from you. MindBalance Mental Health Care serves clients across Minnesota via telehealth and offers in-person appointments in Minneapolis.
We're a small team, so when you reach out, you're reaching real people who will take the time to address your inquiry.
About the Author
Merrily Young-Hye Sadlovsky (she/her/hers), MSW, LICSW, LCSW, is a therapist, clinical supervisor, and co-owner of MindBalance Mental Health Care, an independent holistic mental health practice serving Minneapolis and individuals across Minnesota. She is an EMDRIA EMDR-Certified Therapist and teaches clinical courses as an adjunct faculty member in an MSW program in Minneapolis. Her work focuses on culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy supporting adoptees, BIPOC, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities, and college and graduate students navigating anxiety, OCD, trauma, disordered eating, and life transitions.
Educational Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects our perspectives and understanding at the time of writing. It is not intended as medical, mental health, legal, or insurance advice, and should not be relied on as such. Reading this content does not create a therapeutic or professional relationship. For guidance specific to your situation, we encourage you to consult with a qualified professional.
