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Online therapy for kids can start as young as 3 years old. However, kids younger than 18 need a guardian’s permission. We chose some services below that cater to a lot of different ranges.
Sometimes children go through difficult times or have emotional needs that would benefit from receiving professional support.
In these situations, you might consider scheduling time with a professional counselor to help your child — and you —learn coping mechanisms and other tools to help them work through the challenges they face. Counseling may also help prevent or manage mental health conditions as children move through various phases of development.
Online counseling (a form of telehealth) is quickly becoming one of the most popular methods for receiving mental health services for adults and children alike. Telehealth is a highly accessible form of counseling that can make it easier to find the right therapist as well as make and attend appointments.
Online counseling isn’t helpful in an emergency
In the event of a mental health emergency — if your child is thinking about harming themselves or someone else — you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
You can also call 911 for mental health emergencies.
In addition to our intensive vetting process, we considered the following when choosing services for this roundup:
- Licensure: All the mental health professionals affiliated with each program are licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, or counselors.
- Privacy: We also make sure that the online platforms, if they offer virtual therapy, are HIPAA compliant and have industry standard privacy practices in place to ensure that you are safe.
- Affordability and insurance: Most of these programs accept health insurance, and some are at a lower cost than in-person treatment. The programs here also feature easy sign-up processes.
- Reputation: We chose programs with positive customer feedback and reviews.
- Offerings: These counseling programs offer a wide range of services for anxiety, depression, self-esteem, eating disorders, stress, bullying, anger, and more.
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.
The goal of counseling for children is to identify the cause of certain symptoms and behaviors and help them develop the skills they need to cope with difficult situations and feelings. Child therapy can help with various issues children face, including phobias, behavioral issues, abuse, trauma, coping with change, developmental and learning differences, bullying, and more.
Before beginning treatment, it’s important to ensure the therapist is licensed in their field and has experience working with and treating conditions in children. There are different types of certifications and degrees, which include:
- Master’s degree (MA or MS): Therapists and counselors hold master’s degrees. Mental health counselors have many years of experience in clinical work. Licensed professional counselors (LPC) hold master’s degrees in counseling, psychology (or a similar field). Clinical social workers hold master’s degrees in social work (MSW).
- Psychology: Psychologists hold a doctoral degree (PsyD or PhD) and are licensed in the state where they practice. Unlike therapists or counselors, psychologists can conduct various tests to help diagnose mental health and learning issues like ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.
- Psychiatry: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can make diagnoses and prescribe medication.
There are also many effective therapists who are associates, in-training graduate students, or post-doctorate therapists who are supervised by a licensed clinician who can also be a good option for your child.
The overall goals of therapy for kids are to help children gain skills to build emotional intelligence and learn coping and problem-solving skills that help them develop long-term confidence. Practitioners may employ various techniques such as:
- play therapy
- CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)
- expressive therapies like art
- psychodynamic psychotherapy, a long-term approach to mental health treatment
- mindfulness tools
- ways to understand how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected
Play therapy in particular is frequently used when working with children. Play is how children learn, grow, and express themselves. Play therapists can be both directive and nondirective and aim to support children in expressing themselves, building coping skills, and more.
While talking with their parents or guardians is a helpful way for children to work through tough times and emotions, therapists are trained mental health professionals who can also provide an empathetic ear but provide other tools, support, and resources. Online therapy for kids can also be helpful if your child has recently undergone a big life change, such as moving to a new state or being affected by divorce.
Speaking with a therapist can help kids learn to:
If your child has witnessed something potentially traumatic, this may call for counseling, too.
If your child is not in immediate danger, but their behaviors or emotions seem “off,” monitor them closely over the coming weeks and months. Make a plan for when you will take action if your child doesn’t seem to improve.
However, it’s important not to wait for a crisis to occur before seeking out counseling for your child.
Some parents seek counseling for their child as a preventive measure or as an additional support for difficult emotions or behaviors.
“If there’s any mention of [suicidal thoughts], or if you notice dangerous behaviors, it’s important to get help quickly,” notes therapist Virginia Williamson. “Most parents can feel when there’s a shift that just doesn’t seem like their child.”
Key signs that it’s a good idea to enroll a child in counseling include:
- changes in behavior
- loss of interest in school, hobbies, friends, etc.
- changes in sleeping patterns
- changes in appetite
- increased irritability, sensitivity, and feelings of being overwhelmed
- lack of self-esteem
- isolation from family or social activities
- big life changes
- a traumatic event, either as a witness or participant
- giving away their prized or personal possessions
Pros
- online therapy may feel more natural to a child who is used to having screen time
- children could feel safer than speaking with someone face-to-face, especially about embarrassing or tough issues
- allows children to have support objects nearby, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals — or even their pet
- the child may feel more at ease at home than in a therapist’s office, enabling them to speak freely or to open up readily
- since it doesn’t require transportation, working with an online counselor alleviates the scheduling burden
- may be beneficial for your child’s counselor as well, since it gives them the opportunity to see your child in familiar surroundings
Cons
- child privacy and space during counseling sessions could be an issue if there isn’t a place in the home where a child can truly be alone
- parents may be unable to resist the urge to listen in during an online session
- if home doesn’t feel like a safe place for a child, doing therapy in that space may not be ideal
- for some children, it may be difficult to focus when speaking to someone through a screen
- it’s easy for children to end a virtual session abruptly as opposed to being in a therapist’s office
- there might be some limitations to virtual therapy in terms of intimacy and in emergency situations
The tools your child’s therapist uses will vary based on your child’s age and the type of therapy being used. In some instances, they may wish to include you in some sessions. This benefits you and your child since the therapist can coach you in your interactions with each other. In other instances, a therapist may invite the parents for a separate appointment without the child.
A good therapist asks questions and listens to the answers. They may encourage your child to talk about what’s bothering them. They may also strongly emphasize praising your child to validate their feelings and build self-esteem.
Sometimes, your child’s therapist may suggest activities between sessions, such as keeping a journal or drawing. Otherwise, they may:
- play games
- encourage artwork
- do other hands-on activities during the session
No cookie-cutter formula can be used to determine how long your child should stay in therapy. The issues at hand and your and your child’s goals for therapy will play a role.
Therapeutic changes that lead to happier lives and better behaviors take patience and time. Usually, a therapist will recommend seeing your child once a week for sessions. These may last for several months or longer. Sometimes, sessions may be stretched out to once every 2 weeks or even once per month.
Finding the right therapist for your child can be challenging. Choosing a seasoned therapist or a therapist supervised by an experienced mental health professional is vital to ensure your child is in good care. Based on your child’s age, you may request an interview with the therapist before committing to therapy.
Questions to ask can include:
- Do you have knowledge or an understanding of my child’s cultural background?
- What is your approach to therapy?
- What are reasonable goals to expect from therapy?
- What is your professional background and therapeutic experience?
- How long do you anticipate that my child may need therapy?
- Can or should I participate in any sessions?
Online counseling can be an accessible and more affordable way to receive counseling for your child or teen.
Depending on your child’s needs, online counseling programs for kids can be a convenient alternative to mental health treatment in person.
Insurance may cover some online counseling services. To check eligibility, contact your health insurance company.
Many online counseling programs for kids have a range of payment options, including health insurance coverage and out-of-pocket payments.
If you’re a parent or caregiver, you can have various levels of involvement in your child’s mental health treatment. Whether you’re present during sessions depends on a number of factors, such as the age of your child and what issues they’re working on in treatment.
Regardless of whether you sit in on sessions or participate in family therapy sessions, communicate regularly with the counselor and monitor your child closely between sessions. Share anything you feel is important with your child’s counselor.
When your child is displaying certain behaviors, it may be a sign that they may need therapy. People of all ages can find it hard to manage complex emotions and trauma, including children as young as toddlers.
Some difficulties are typical for kids and may even help them learn new strategies to cope on their own. However, some children may need additional support.
The following may signal that a child can likely benefit from the support therapy provides:
- significant changes in sleep or appetite
- issues in multiple areas of life
- repetitive, self-destructive behaviors
- poor self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness
- self-harm or thoughts of suicide
In many states, minors cannot consent to mental health treatment without permission from a parent.
In some states, such as California and New York, minors of a certain age may obtain counseling without parental consent provided they understand the nature and consequences of the treatment.
Before getting started with counseling, research your specific state laws about minors receiving mental health treatment.
For the most part, patient confidentiality and HIPAA laws apply to online counseling programs for children.
However, some modes of communication, such as Zoom or FaceTime, may not provide a secure or private connection. It’s important to make sure you’re using a HIPAA-compliant platform for your child’s online counseling.
However, there is a somewhat lack of privacy when it comes to your health information online. Some businesses sell user data to be used for marketing purposes, similar to Talkspace and BetterHelp’s allegations.
In certain situations, confidentiality is limited. In some states, parents may access their child’s records. This may vary by state law. Therapists may work with parents to develop ground rules for maintaining a child’s privacy.
When it comes to mandated reporting, counselors and other mental health professionals must report the abuse of minor children to appropriate authorities, regardless of who is the alleged perpetrator. Counselors are also mandated to report if a minor expresses intention to harm themselves or someone else.
While online counseling is a great choice for many children, it is not a suitable option for everyone. Some kids respond better to an in-person treatment environment.
“For some kids, online therapy can be too much,” says Counselor Katherine M. Hayes, LCPC, a licensed clinical counselor who specializes in treating children and adolescents.
“If it’s hard for the child to engage in a session online, this would be something to discuss with the child and parent,” Hayes says. “Creative solutions can still be used online, such as art and games.”
Most websites outline who is best suited for televisits. Additionally, online counseling is not recommended for children or teens who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviors, or other serious behavioral or mental health conditions or issues.
Children can develop mental and emotional disorders just like adults. The most common mental health conditions in children include ADHD, anxiety, behavior disorders, and depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms can vary, but persistent sadness, mood shifts, self-harm, not eating, and outbursts are some of the emotional signs to watch for in children, per Mental Healtlh America.