I've done both phone sessions and check ins. We now do video visits. Like ElectricManatee, there is a difference and the phone and video sessions are scheduled like regular session and full time. The check ins just happen. One time I was in the car with my wife. Things had calmed down for me so it wasn't as bad to talk with my wife there (the issue wasn't with my wife). It turned out to be a good thing for my wife to see part of what I was getting/needing from T ... something she cannot provide because of personality and temperament differences.