@Just it depends on why you prefer phone to face to face. If it's a a safety thing, for e.g. you're unsure if you would be able to attend the appointment if it's in person due to dissociation, phone is a great option. It just means your sessions are different because you don't have the body language to draw on, and I find this can be helpful with building rapport and understanding of what is being said is a little easier. At least for me. Is video possible instead of phone consult?

I initially started with F2F sessions, and then at some times I needed to do from home online due to dissociation or too much distress with leaving the house. Essentially, do what is right for you. Maybe you could say to them you'd like to do telehealth for now, but if you feel up to going face to face can you also let them know on the day. 

How did you go asking your psychologist about recording your sessions?