Teen counseling can be a great way to help you cope with mental health conditions and issues you face every day. Read on to learn about the best online teen therapy options making it easier for young people to access mental health care.
The teenage years can be difficult, with school and social pressures, changing family expectations, and regularly changing hormone levels.
Online therapy can be a good option if you are a teen wanting to talk about what you are going through. It is more accessible than in-person therapy in some cases, and you may be more familiar with meeting people and forming friendships and relationships online.
Mental health conditions are not uncommon, and this is especially true for teens. Experts estimate that as many as 49.5% of U.S. teens have had a mental health condition at some point in their lives. Anxiety disorders, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and eating disorders are among the most common concerns.
How easy it is to access mental health care as a young person varies depending on several factors, such as which state you live in, your financial situation, and family support. Online therapy can be a good option if you want easily accessible, flexible support for a wide range of mental health conditions.
This article discusses the best options for online teen therapy, and if you are a parent or caregiver of a teen, it provides guidance on talking about mental health.
Online therapy is not suitable for mental health emergencies
If you or a teenager you care for is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or call 911 or local emergency services.
Below, we look into the best places for teens to try online counseling.
The table below compares each of the teen counseling services in this article.
| Services | Price | Format | Therapists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teen Counseling for 13- to 19-year-olds | • $65 to $90 per week | • online messaging • phone calls • video conferencing • live chat | • psychologists • marriage and family • licensed therapists • social workers |
| Talkspace for 13- to 17-year-olds | • $69 to $109 per week | • online text • video • photo • audio messages | • licensed therapists • psychiatrists |
| MDLIVE for people 10 years and older | • $108 to $284 initial visit • $108 per follow-up visit | video appointments | • licensed therapists • psychiatrists |
| Synergy eTherapy for people 13 years and older | from $100 per session | • phone • video | • clinical psychologists • family therapists • psychotherapists |
| 7 Cups for 13- to 17-year-olds | • free • messaging from $159 per month • talk therapy from $299 per month | • live chat • phone calls | • trained volunteer listeners • licensed therapists |
Medical News Today chooses counseling options according to the following criteria:
- Age suitability: Services that offer therapy to teens.
- Communication method: Services that offer a range of communication methods, such as by phone, text, or video.
- Specialization: Services that offer therapists specializing in different areas of concern.
- Cost: Services that fit a range of budgets.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Online therapy is not the only option for teens. You can also explore in-person therapy. However, there are pros and cons to both types.
Some benefits of online therapy for teens include:
- flexibility and convenience of not needing to attend a physical office
- less stigma attached as you can have your session at home without being seen by anybody you know
- you may be comfortable with using the internet, meaning you may feel more relaxed
- can often be less expensive than in-person therapy
- beneficial if you do not have access to quality therapists in your area
However, some people may prefer in-person therapy. Some advantages of in-person therapy over online therapy include:
- insurance companies do not always cover online therapy
- technology issues may occur, like if the internet goes down, a person may not be able to attend their session
- texting and messaging services may not be good for individuals who have difficulty expressing themselves with written communication
If you look after a teenager, the
- changes in mood
- behavioral changes
- low energy or lack of motivation at school
- physical changes, such as showering less and decreased energy
- engaging in harmful behaviors, such as smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol
- spending increasing amounts of time alone
- claiming people are trying to control their mind
- hearing things other people cannot hear
- loss of interest in things they would usually enjoy
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of teen depression.
What to do in serious situations
Seeking help from a therapist is not always the most suitable choice. In an emergency or crisis, you can consider:
- calling local emergency services
- texting TALK to 741741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor
- calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
- calling 911
If you or a teen you care for needs support with self-harm, you can consider calling the self-injury hotline at 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8388).
The National Alliance on Mental Illness recommends finding a therapist who listens to your feelings and helps you reach your goals at your own pace.
You should not feel as though the therapist is judging you during your sessions. The aim of each session is to ensure you are comfortable and feel as though you are progressing toward your goals.
It is also important that you feel able to give your therapist feedback. If you find assignments difficult or would prefer to approach concerns in other ways, you must feel able to talk with your therapist to adjust treatment if necessary.
You may also find it easier to connect with a therapist if you share a similar background and ethnicity and if the therapist specializes in your particular concerns.
If you do not feel comfortable discussing your concerns with a therapist, choose another healthcare professional you can connect with.
Other factors that can affect therapist choice may include:
- Specialization: Refers to the area the therapist focuses on, such as family, stress, or addiction.
- Pricing: You should check how much a counseling service will cost. Costs may vary by specialization, insurance plan, and session type.
- Reviews: Checking the company, provider, or therapist’s reviews may help individuals learn about other people’s experiences with the platform you have chosen.
- Treatments: The American Psychological Association states that you should ask a therapist what treatments they offer and whether they are effective for dealing with specific needs.
According to Mental Health America, over 2.5 million young people live with severe major depression in the United States, and 60.3% of young people with major depression did not receive any mental health treatment in 2022.
Research shows that online therapy can be helpful for teenagers dealing with conditions such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, online therapy can help provide care for teenagers who otherwise cannot access mental health care.
Teens tend to have a positive attitude toward online therapy, with 72% of adolescents in one survey stating they would use it if they needed support. The study also found that adolescents felt that using online therapy made treatment more accessible and reduced its stigma.
Therapists use a variety of techniques when working with teenagers, tailored to address your unique developmental needs and specific issues you might be facing. Some of these techniques include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors. It
focuses onTrusted Source developing positive thinking and coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. - Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT
can benefitTrusted Source teens with more severe mental health conditions and concerns, including borderline personality disorder. It combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to help you manage intense emotions, develop healthy relationships, and improve how you can cope with distress. - Play therapy: Though
typicallyTrusted Source for younger children, therapists can adapt play therapy for teens, especially those with difficulty expressing themselves verbally. Through activities like drawing, games, or role-playing, therapists can help you explore your emotions and experiences. - Art therapy: Art therapy allows teenagers to
expressTrusted Source themselves creatively through various art forms, such as drawing, painting, or sculpture. It provides a nonverbal outlet for emotions and can help you process difficult experiences and feelings.
If you are caring for a teen, check in with them after they have tried a few sessions to make sure they feel safe and comfortable. While they may not want to discuss what they talk about during their sessions, you can ask them the following questions:
- Do you feel heard during your sessions?
- Is the therapist friendly and understanding?
- Do you enjoy your sessions?
- Do you find your sessions helpful?
- Do you feel comfortable talking to your therapist?
You should respect the teenager’s privacy and try not to make them tell you what they talk about in their sessions.
Our expert’s advice for parents of teens in therapy
“Teen therapy is often best done in collaboration among the teen, therapist, and parents or caregivers. At the onset of therapy, therapists should be clear about what information will be kept private, typically everything except certain issues related to safety.
“Parents and caregivers, however, can participate in treatment. This includes having parents participate in joint sessions with the teen and sometimes collateral sessions with only the parents, caregivers, and therapist.
“It is important that the teen is clear on what information might be shared and what will be kept private between the therapist when these sessions occur, but including parents can help facilitate progress in treatment.
“Parents can help support teens with their in-between-session homework and sometimes parents may make their own behavioral changes to support the teen’s therapy progress therapy.
“Having clear communication among everyone can support good relationships among all parties in service of helping teens meet their therapy goals.”
— Akilah Reynolds, PhD
Talking with a teen about mental health
The Child Mind Institute states that some teens may not admit they have problems with their mental health. They may also believe no one can help them. This can also be a symptom of certain mental health conditions. For instance, depression can affect how they think and prevent them from thinking positively.
As a result, the institute suggests that you ask teens what they are looking for and what they wish to gain from mental health treatment. You can also ask what they want to improve, as the therapist can then determine how they can help achieve their goal.
The
- discussing the topic when they feel comfortable and safe in their environment
- straightforward communication
- asking if they would like to talk with someone else about their difficulties
- letting them know that it is OK to speak with an adult and that this can help in some situations
- asking them what is happening in their life and how they are feeling
- expressing concern for their well-being and asking them directly if they are planning to harm themselves or others
Yes, it is completely normal for a 13-year-old to go to therapy. Many children and teenagers benefit from counseling for various reasons, such as dealing with emotional, behavioral, or social issues, managing stress, coping with family changes, or addressing mental health concerns.
Children of any age can benefit from counseling for different reasons.
- 0 to 5 years: Therapy can begin during the very early years of a child’s life, typically involving play therapy and parent-child interaction therapy to address developmental or behavioral concerns or trauma.
- 6 to 12 years: Children in this age range often benefit from individual, family, or group therapy to address academic challenges, social skills, behavioral concerns, and emotional regulation.
- 13 to 18 years: Therapy is quite common and helpful for teenagers dealing with a wide range of concerns and conditions, including anxiety, depression, peer pressure, academic stress, questions about identity, and family dynamics.
Generally, minors need parental consent to get therapy. Parents or guardians can arrange sessions with a therapist, counselor, or mental health clinic. Many schools have their own counselors, or they can refer students to external therapists.
School counselors can provide initial support and guidance. A pediatrician can often refer children and adolescents to a suitable mental health professional.
There is no age limit to when a child can start therapy, as there are many different types of therapy that can help children of all ages, including play therapy for younger children. Typically, the youngest ages online therapy services accept start at 10- or 13-years-old.
Online teen counseling can help if you need emotional support and mental health care.
Online therapy may prove less expensive than in-person visits, while some online services may accept health insurance coverage.
A therapist may use various techniques to help you. If you are a parent or caregiver of a teen, you may want to consider different factors — including therapy type, pricing, a therapist’s specialization, and more — before committing to a particular therapy.
