My considerable experience with both types of therapy leads me to the conclusion that online counselling can be every bit as 'deep' and as effective as face to face counselling, for those who prefer it. For others, the physical presence of the therapist is invaluable.
The relationship between you and your therapist can be just as nuanced and intimate online, and sometimes there are special benefits in having to spell some things out explicitly, being able to reflect while writing, etc. Here are some reasons why online therapy might be particularly helpful to you:-
1. You cannot access face to face services for some reason, be it health, mobility, or living in a place where therapy in your preferred language is not available.
2. You may have a lifestyle which makes a regular commitment to physical meetings difficult to maintain, and value the flexibility of being able to write in various places and at various times.
3. You may find it easier to ‘open up’ in writing and without the physical presence of another person.
4. You may find it helpful to save chat conversations to refer to later.
If you want to find out more about online counselling, I have written more extensively about it in thise articles:-
Facilitating or Forcing It? Comfort, Fear, and Online Therapy
Empathy and Words in Online and Face to Face Therapy
Online Therapy for Introverts
Online Therapy With Young People: What Happens in a Session, and What Works?
Online Therapy: How Does it Work When You Can’t See Them?