Finding Online Therapy for Kids: What You Should Know
Key takeaways:
Online therapy is an alternative to meeting in person with a provider and may offer more options and scheduling flexibility for your child.
Many providers in local communities now offer online sessions or a combination of online and in-person sessions for children.
Consider your child’s age, needs, privacy, parent meetings, and the provider’s license and experience when choosing an online therapist.
Many families find it difficult to make it to therapy appointments. You might struggle with traveling, scheduling, or other responsibilities. Some families also practice social distancing.
An alternative option is for your child to meet with a therapist online. But is it the right choice for your family? And how do you choose a therapist? Here’s what you need to know.
What is teletherapy?
Teletherapy is when someone receives healthcare by phone or through the internet. It might include video sessions, email, or chatting through an app. It may also be called online therapy.
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In mental health counseling, teletherapy often occurs over video platforms similar to Zoom. Video programs used by therapists typically include extra security steps to protect your privacy during sessions. They follow the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Online therapy allows individuals, families, and kids to participate from home. In some cases, online therapy options may help people who have trouble making it to a therapist’s office, such as those in rural areas.
Can online therapy work for kids?
So is online therapy effective for kids? Researchers aren’t entirely sure yet. But most study results are positive when it comes to online therapy in general.
Some types of therapies for children have been looked at closely. For example, researchers have found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may work particularly well online. CBT is used to treat a variety of conditions in children and adults, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Online sessions can also be helpful if your child is sick or isolating so they don’t have to miss an in-person session. It can also be helpful for parents when scheduling parent or family sessions. Telehealth may better accommodate parents’ schedules compared to in-person appointments.
Despite the potential benefits, some children may struggle with telehealth. They may have problems paying attention or dealing with emotions without the therapist in the room to help. It may also be difficult for the provider to fully see how your child is responding during a session.
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You can discuss the pros and cons of telehealth with your provider. Your child’s therapist may also assess how well your child is doing in online therapy during the first few sessions. Keep in mind your child’s goals, and check in to see how well it’s working.
What should you expect from a teletherapy session?
The way online therapy works may vary. It will depend on your child’s needs, the type of platform being used, and the therapist’s style.
In most cases, you will get instructions ahead of time on how to connect online. Your therapist or the service you’ve signed up for may email you instructions. If you’re not sure what to expect, contact your provider.
To avoid technical problems later, you might consider practicing ahead of time. For example, if your therapist uses a particular video platform, there may be an option to test your audio and video connection.
Similar to in-person sessions, your therapist may begin by talking to you and your child about what to expect. They might discuss how online therapy works to help you and your child become more comfortable with the process.
In some cases, the therapist may use creative activities with your child. They might ask your child to show them drawings or their favorite toys, for example. Or they may ask older children to play their favorite music. This will help your therapist and child get to know each other and get used to online therapy. It can also be the foundation for other therapeutic activities.
If you have any questions about the process, you can talk to your child’s therapist ahead of time or at the beginning of their first session.
How do you choose a telehealth therapist for your child?
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of therapists providing teletherapy increased from about 40% to 98%. This means that there may be many more options nowadays to find online therapists in your community.
Some companies also offer subscription-based therapy services. Such services may allow you to pay for video sessions or communicate with a therapist via messaging.
Teens, who are often used to online communication, may adjust better to flexible appointments and online platforms. However, younger children will likely have more limitations.
In an office setting, a therapist can adjust to your child’s needs and abilities. This may be more difficult to work out on screen, especially at the beginning.
There may also be confusion over who can legally provide telehealth services. Even if you’re seeing them online, your therapist needs to be licensed and approved to practice in your state or region. If you’re unsure that they are, you can ask to see a copy of the therapist’s state license. They can also provide a link to verify their license online.
You should also make sure that your therapist is using a secure online platform. Ask if the video service they use is HIPAA compliant.
Where can you find online therapists for kids?
To find a therapist, you can search online. You can also look through online directories, such as Psychology Today or Therapy Den. Therapists often mention in their profiles that they provide online therapy.
Once you find a potential therapist, see if you can learn more about them. Here are some questions you may want to ask when choosing an online therapist for your child:
How often will you (the therapist) be available?
What audio or video platform do you use?
Can we switch to in-person sessions if we choose to later?
What experience do you have treating children or adolescents?
How much have you worked with children online?
How long are typical sessions?
Do you provide specialty therapies?
How is my child’s privacy protected?
Do you involve the school, parents, or other family members in sessions? If so, how often?
How do you work with young children versus older children?
What kind of information will you share with me, and what information won’t you share with me?
If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask your provider directly. A therapist’s job is to help you and your child.
Once you choose a therapist, set up an initial session or call. If it doesn’t end up being a good match, it’s OK to look for another provider.
How much does online therapy cost?
The cost of online therapy varies. Factors such as length of sessions (often around 45 minutes), region, your insurance, and your therapist’s experience may come into play.
Some online therapists accept insurance plans, while others require you to self-pay. And some therapists may be covered under your insurance plan, while others are not. To find out if insurance will cover your sessions, review your coverage details, or call your insurance company and ask them directly about your behavioral health benefits.
If you are considering a therapist in your area, you can also ask them directly about their fees and insurance use. Even if they don’t accept insurance, most therapists can provide a statement — called a super bill — to submit to your insurance company. This may allow you to be partially reimbursed.
If you are paying for sessions yourself, keep in mind that cost may depend on the frequency and length of sessions. The out-of-pocket cost per session averages around $100 to $200, depending on the therapist and region. In large cities, such as New York or Los Angeles, therapists may charge more than $300 per session.
Local private therapists, nonprofit agencies, or graduate school programs sometimes offer sliding scale fees. You may be able to pay less based on your income. Ask your therapist about your payment options.
Therapists who belong to an online therapy platform may offer a variety of packages. For example, they may provide a combination of 30-minute sessions and text chatting. Online therapy platforms typically charge by the month. The cost varies based on the level of service you choose.
To find out more about subscription-based services, read through the plan details on the service’s website. Check carefully for what your fees will cover. Some platforms don’t disclose all of the costs upfront. Compare the services and costs to other options you’re considering.
What are other therapy options for your child?
Are you unsure if online therapy is the right option for your family? You may have other options.
If you are practicing social distancing, your therapist may offer to sit further away or wear a mask during sessions. Some therapists may be willing to meet for your child’s session at a local park or other outdoor setting. Let them know about your concerns.
Some therapists also offer a mix of online and in-person sessions. For example, you might allow your child to meet their counselor once or twice in person. After that, you could switch to online sessions.
If you’re unsure what to do, talk to your healthcare provider. They may offer ideas or recommendations based on your child’s needs. You can also reach out to your child’s school counselor or guidance office.
The bottom line
Online therapy can be a helpful alternative to in-person sessions for your child. If you have problems making it to appointments, it may provide more options and flexibility. When choosing a therapist, consider their experience and the needs of your child. In most cases, the therapist or service you choose will guide you through the technical aspects of connecting online.
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References
Abraham, A., et al. (2021). Telemental health use in the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review and evidence gap mapping. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
American Psychological Association. (2015). What you need to know before choosing online therapy.
American Psychological Association. (2020). Getting help for stress and behavioral health via videoconferencing or telephone session.
GoodTherapy. (n.d.). How much does therapy cost?.
Lustgarten, S. D., et al. (2020). Digital privacy in mental healthcare: Current issues and recommendations for technology use. Current Opinion in Psychology.
Psychology Today. (n.d.). Find a therapist.
Racine, N., et al. (2020). Telemental health for child trauma treatment during and post-COVID-19: Limitations and considerations. Child Abuse & Neglect.
Rooksby, M., et al. (2015). Internet-assisted delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for childhood anxiety: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders.
Sampaio, M., et al. (2021). Therapists make the switch to telepsychology to safely continue treating their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual reality telepsychology may be next. Frontiers in Virtual Reality.
Stewart, R. W., et al. (2017). A pilot study of trauma-focused cognitive–behavioral therapy delivered via telehealth technology. Child Maltreatment.
Stoll, J., et al. (2020). Ethical issues in online psychotherapy: A narrative review. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
TherapyDen. (n.d.). Find the right therapist for you.
van Dyk, I. S., et al. (2020). COVID-19 tips: Building rapport with youth via telehealth. Clinical Center, Southern Illinois University.
For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
