Do I Need to Dress Up for My Online Appointment?

It’s almost time for your therapy session. You’re still in your comfy clothes—maybe even pajama pants. You wonder: “Should I change? Do I need to look professional? What’s the etiquette here?” The clock is ticking, and now you’re feeling anxious about what should be a simple decision.

At Televero Health, we hear this question often. People new to online therapy aren’t sure what’s expected in terms of appearance and presentation. They worry about being judged for looking too casual or not “putting in effort” for their session.

If you’ve been wondering about this too, let’s clear things up with a straightforward answer that might surprise you: Wear whatever makes you comfortable. Really.

Therapy Isn’t About Your Appearance

Traditional office settings often come with unspoken dress codes. Even when nothing formal is required, many people feel pressure to “look presentable” when going to appointments. This expectation can carry over to online therapy, creating unnecessary anxiety about appearance.

The reality is that therapy is about your internal experience, not your external presentation. Therapists aren’t evaluating your outfit choices or judging your appearance. They’re focused on understanding your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and goals.

At Televero Health, we’ve worked with people in business attire, workout clothes, pajamas, and everything in between. We’ve had sessions with clients who are under blankets, sitting on their floor, or even in their parked car between errands. What matters isn’t what you’re wearing, but whether you’re emotionally present for the conversation.

In fact, the idea that you need to “dress up” for therapy runs counter to the authenticity that makes therapy valuable. Therapy is a space for your real self—not a performance or a job interview.

The Comfort Advantage

One of the significant benefits of online therapy is the ability to engage from your most comfortable environment. This includes wearing whatever helps you feel at ease.

Physical comfort isn’t trivial in therapy. When you’re physically comfortable, you’re less distracted by irritating clothing, too-tight collars, or shoes that pinch. This allows you to focus more fully on the therapeutic process.

For many people, casual clothing is associated with relaxation and openness. Changing into “professional” attire might actually create a psychological shift toward more guarded or formal interaction—the opposite of what’s helpful in therapy.

We’ve observed that clients who allow themselves to be physically comfortable often find it easier to access emotional comfort as well. There’s a subtle but real connection between allowing yourself physical ease and giving yourself permission for emotional authenticity.

When Clothing Carries Meaning

While there’s no dress code for therapy, it’s worth noting that clothing choices sometimes carry psychological significance—and that can actually be useful to notice:

Some people find that staying in pajamas all day is a sign of depression, while getting dressed—even casually—is an act of self-care

Others might “dress up” as a way of maintaining emotional distance or presenting a certain image rather than showing their authentic selves

Some discover that certain items of clothing trigger emotions or memories that impact their therapy experience

These patterns aren’t about meeting external standards but about understanding your own relationship with clothing and presentation.

At Televero Health, we sometimes explore these patterns if they seem meaningful. If you notice yourself feeling strongly about how you should appear in therapy, that might be something worth discussing. Not because there’s a right or wrong way to dress, but because your feelings about it might connect to larger themes in your life.

Practical Considerations

While comfort should be your primary guide, there are a few practical considerations for online therapy attire:

Privacy and comfort level: Choose clothing appropriate for your level of physical movement during the session. If you’re likely to shift positions, stand up, or move around, make sure you’re wearing something you feel sufficiently covered in.

Technical visibility: Very bright or busy patterns can sometimes create visual issues on camera. Simple, solid colors usually show up best on video. But this is a minor consideration—not worth changing outfits over unless you want to.

Temperature management: Online sessions mean you control your environment. Dress for the temperature of your space, and consider having an extra layer nearby in case you get cold (which can happen when sitting still for a while).

These practical aspects are simply about making your experience smoother, not about meeting anyone else’s expectations.

The Professional Perspective

If you’re still concerned about what therapists think about client attire, here’s some reassurance from the professional side:

Therapists understand that online therapy happens in your personal space. They expect and welcome the comfort and authenticity this setting allows.

Mental health professionals are trained to focus on your words, emotions, and experiences—not your appearance. They’re listening to what you say, not evaluating what you wear.

Therapists themselves often dress more casually for online sessions than they would in an office. The formality level tends to be reduced on both sides of the screen.

Most importantly, therapists want you to be comfortable and present. Whatever attire supports that goal is the right choice.

At Televero Health, our clinicians often tell clients directly to prioritize comfort. We’d much rather you attend a session in your pajamas than miss one because you didn’t have time to change into “presentable” clothes.

Breaking Down “Professional” Appearance Anxiety

The anxiety about looking “professional” or “put-together” for therapy often connects to deeper concerns worth examining:

The fear of being judged based on appearance rather than being valued for your thoughts and feelings

The habit of prioritizing others’ potential perceptions over your own comfort and authenticity

The pressure to perform or present a certain image rather than showing up as you are

The belief that you need to “earn” care by meeting certain standards of presentation

These concerns can actually become valuable topics to explore in therapy itself. They often reflect patterns that impact many areas of life beyond clothing choices.

What if therapy became a place where you could practice prioritizing your authentic experience over external expectations? What if your therapy space could be free from the performance pressure that might exist in other areas of your life?

Finding Your Own Comfort Zone

While the general principle is “wear what makes you comfortable,” comfort means different things to different people:

Some people feel most at ease in their most casual clothes

Others find that maintaining some level of “getting ready” ritual helps them mentally prepare for their session

Some find that changing clothes after therapy helps create a boundary between the therapeutic space and the rest of their day

There’s no universal right answer—just what works best for you and your therapeutic process.

At Televero Health, we encourage clients to experiment with different approaches and notice what helps them feel most present and engaged. The goal isn’t to meet an external standard but to discover your personal optimal conditions for meaningful therapeutic work.

So as you prepare for your next online therapy session, let go of the pressure to “dress appropriately.” Instead, choose what helps you feel physically comfortable and emotionally ready to engage. Your therapist isn’t looking at your outfit—they’re looking forward to connecting with you, exactly as you are.

Ready to experience therapy that meets you where you are—comfortable clothes and all? Connect with us today.