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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
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Some online therapy platforms offer services to people 18 years or older. Here, we list some online teen counseling programs that caters to all types of teenagers. See which of our picks could work for you.
Mental health services can help teens navigate some unique life circumstances, including, but not limited to, social media; bullying; and physical, social, and emotional changes.
If you’re a teen wondering if you can get online therapy and if it will work for you, read on to learn more about it and see which services pass our criteria.
You are not alone.
Online therapy is not for mental health emergencies. If you need help, know someone who needs help, or if you just need someone to listen, check out these resources:
$276 per month
$50 if you decide to consult with interns (select states only)
$99 without insurance
We only recommend companies we stand behind as being credible and ethical. Our vetting team and vetting process help us keep true to our beliefs.
Healthline’s Medical Network is made up of a diverse group of mental health professionals who bring experience from a variety of specialty areas. These experts review all of our recommendations for mental health-related products.
We only considered online services that provide therapy to people under 18 years old. We chose services that employ licensed mental health professionals, including social workers, counselors, and psychiatrists, to name a few. These professionals can treat a range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and daily life struggles.
We also looked at factors like affordability or insurance eligibility, expertise in issues concerning teens, and good customer reviews.
We recommend asking your assigned professional about their experience to ensure they are equipped with the proper skills for your needs.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the online therapy platforms on this page, we considered all the platforms that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
If you’re a teen experiencing distressing behavioral or emotional symptoms that interfere with your daily life at home or school, consider reaching out to a mental health professional.
Online counseling allows your therapist to meet with you where you are instead of in an office environment. Depending on the service, therapists might communicate over text, video, phone, or a mobile app.
According to the
- changes in sleep patterns, including sleeping too much or too little
- loss of interest in things that they used to enjoy
- low energy
- self-isolation and avoidance of time with friends or family
- changes in appetite
- a decline in grades or school performance
- increased irritability
- physical symptoms of anxiety, like stomach aches, muscle tension, and restlessness
Online counseling might not be a good fit for teens if they are:
- engaging in high risk behaviors, including drug and alcohol use
- performing self-harm behaviors
- having suicidal thoughts — if you or someone you know needs immediate help, call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- living with a severe mental health condition that requires intensive psychological supervision or psychiatric care
- having difficulty accessing a reliable internet connection
- expressing symptoms of an eating disorder, excessive diet or exercise, or fear of gaining weight
The above conditions and situations aren’t particularly suited for online therapy because they can require in-person treatment and care that goes beyond the scope of what virtual sessions can offer. In these cases, telehealth counseling could supplement in-person treatment or be used for follow-up treatment to help manage a condition in the future.
Need in-person help?
If you know a teen who is dealing with any of these issues — or you are a teen going through them — reach out to a doctor, school counselor, or another trusted adult to help you find available in-person treatment options in your area.
If you’re having trouble coping on your own, it may be time to talk with a therapist. A therapist can help you understand your feelings. They can also give you helpful strategies on ways to cope with emotions you’re not sure how to process.
If you’re having severe mental health symptoms, such as panic attacks, self-harming, or suicidal thoughts, it’s very important to get help.
Also, consider talking with a therapist if you’ve been previously diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and you feel like you’re not managing well.
Online counseling can be a good first step, but it’s likely not the best long-term fit for severe mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder or suicidal ideation.
You can call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to speak with a licensed professional at any time. You’ll reach a trained counselor who will listen carefully and understand how your specific issues are affecting you, offer support, and refer you to any necessary resources.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a therapist is the connection you make with them. You want to feel comfortable and be able to open up and be vulnerable. You’ll likely know from your first meeting whether the therapist is a good fit.
Know that it may take time to find the right therapist, and that’s OK. If you don’t feel comfortable with a particular therapist or they’re not particularly helpful, it’s best to move on to someone you really connect with.
The Healthline Consumer and Market Insights team conducted a 2022 study evaluating consumer behavior related to online therapy. The results showed that consumers changed their therapist at least twice before finding one who fits their needs and with whom they connected.
Be sure to check in on how you feel when you’re talking with your therapist. If it just doesn’t feel right, trust your gut.
Teen counseling is an effective way to provide support and guidance to those dealing with a variety of different situations and emotions.
Counselors work with adolescents to identify areas they may need help in and help them understand how their behavior affects emotions and the people around them. The goal is to provide teens with tools that help them better address their issues. Many types of teen therapy are available depending on the individual’s needs.
The goals of teen counseling are varied but generally include helping teens:
- create positive coping skills
- improve their communication
- learn how to express feelings appropriately
It can also help teens identify healthy boundaries and develop decision-making skills.
Teens should also remember that seeking professional help does not mean something is wrong but that it serves as an opportunity for growth.
Not all insurance providers cover online counseling, but out-of-pocket costs may still be lower than traditional in-person therapy.
You can talk with your insurance provider and review your plan documents to see what’s covered under your plan.
Most U.S. states require a parent or guardian to provide consent for teens under 18 years old to start therapy. For example, parents may need to provide consent by video message before a teen can begin online counseling.
Additionally, parents may also have access to their children’s therapy records, but therapists will typically work with families to support their privacy unless there’s a safety issue.
However, each state has its own laws, so it’s important to check the guidelines for your state.
Sessions are typically confidential. However, there are some instances where the therapist may have to break confidentiality to share information to parents, guardians, or law enforcement.
Reporting laws are different for each state, so make sure to check with your teen before their first session. Some instances where a therapist may break confidentiality are sexual assault or abuse, expressing self-harm or harm to others, and child abuse.
Though a therapist would assess and likely share with a parent or caregiver, a further evaluation may be required to determine if hospitalization might be needed.
Again, the rules to break confidentiality are different for each state, so make sure to check your state’s laws before starting therapy so you know what to expect.
Therapists may consult with parents before beginning therapy to discuss how parents can best support their teens during therapy and what to expect.
The online counseling services on this list provide counseling by licensed therapists, social workers, counselors, and psychologists. You should feel comfortable asking your therapist about their credentials.
Common professional designations include:
- licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)
- licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)
- licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC)
- licensed professional counselor (LPC)
- licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
- psychologist (PhD or PsyD)
- psychiatrist (MD, DO)
Online counseling is typically not appropriate for teens who are:
- having suicidal thoughts
- engaging in behaviors like substance use and self-harm that can lead to negative effects and outcomes
- living with a severe mental health condition that requires intensive management and supervision
- living with certain mental health conditions such as eating disorders
Mental health conditions among teens are on the rise, but teens often don’t receive the treatment they need.
Early diagnosis and treatment are key in preventing the more severe effects of mental health conditions. Online counseling can be a convenient, more accessible, and cost-effective way to get teens the help they need to live healthier, happier lives.