If you’re a teen (or guardian of a teen) looking for online teen counseling options, take a look at our vetted picks. They offer unlimited messaging, insurance coverage, and more.
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.
Some folks can be put off by the though of going in and speaking with a therapist they barely know, however. But in the age of telehealth, online therapy offers services through video call, phone call, and even messaging.
If you’re a teen wondering if you can get online therapy and if it will work for you, take a look through our picks to see if they have what you’re looking for.
You are not alone.
Online therapy is not for mental health emergencies. If you need immediate help, know someone who needs urgent assistance, or if you just need someone to listen to you, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or call 911 or local emergency services.
There are always more resources that can help with whatever you may need.
$99 without insurance
$276 per month
There are a few other services we vetted and liked, and they had unique traits and services that others on this list may not have, but they didn’t quite fit. Take a look and see if one of these platforms could work for you if the others didn’t hit quite right.
- Synergy eTherapy: This platform could be helpful for those teens who are on the fence about therapy. Synergy offers free consultations so people can discuss what they’re looking for and if therapy could be a good fit for them. Since this is a relatively new platform, it’s not yet available in all states. And if you’re looking for help for more severe mental health conditions, Synergy may not be the best platform.
- Little Otter: This platform is great for families and younger children. Little Otter’s whole approach to therapy is a family-first mindset. It’s one of our favorites if you’re considering online therapy for kids since it offers help from ages 0 to 14. It’s not on our list, however, because it does not offer therapy for older teens.
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 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.
Parents and permissions
Some teens may be thinking, ‘Does my parent or guardian have to be in the session with me?’ or ‘I don’t want my parents to know, what can I do?’
While it’s regulated in a majority of states to have anyone under the age of 18 be supervised or given consent by a guardian, there are other states or some platforms that don’t require that someone else be in the same session as you.
Make sure to check with your preferred therapy platform or online therapist, your insurance company, and your state’s regulations before deciding an online counseling program.
Of course, if you do want your parent or guardian to be there, be sure to check that the platform you choose allows you to have multiple people connect to your session.
Privacy
If you find a platform and therapist you like, you talked with your guardian that you’re starting, and you made sure it’s OK to show up to the session on your own, that’s amazing! You’re almost there. Now, all you need to do is make sure of a few things:
- Do you have a private space to talk?: Sharing is definitely cool, but when it comes to things you don’t feel like sharing, like some people do in therapy, it’s important you have a space where you feel safe enough to discuss things without worrying about people judging you or listening in. Wearing headphones is one of many ways to create a bubble for yourself.
- Internet: The internet is a vast and sometimes vicious place. Making sure you have safeguards involved, like ad blockers and firewall protections, can help prevent unwanted users popping in on your session.
- Platform safety: There have been cases of some online therapy platforms that have violated HIPAA’s guidelines in one or more than one way. Do research on the platform you’re considering to be aware of any pending cases that are going on and how they protect their users’ information.
Honestly, the price of counseling and therapy varies quite a bit.
The average price for in-person therapy can be anywhere from $100 to $250 per session. An average online therapy session can be anywhere from $50 to $140. It could even be higher or lower than these prices.
Insurance is one of the biggest factors in determining the cost of therapy. As telehealth keeps expanding, more insurance companies are covering some, or even all, of the costs associated with therapy.
Because of insurance coverage, some therapy users can pay as little as $0 for their service, whether it’s subscription-based or by-session. Pretty cool, right?
If you know your insurance provider, you can call them or visit their website to see if the provider you like can cover your session, whether it’s all of it or some. It’ll definitely help in the long run.
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.
If you’re a parent or guardian, or a friend of a friend, you may notice something off about your loved one before they know it themselves. In situations like this, it’s hard to know how to approach this situation without scaring them, hurting them, or offending them.
If you’ve noticed behavior from them that’s
Transparency is key
Based on what you know about your loved one, transparency could be the best approach in getting to the next step. Be honest about any behavior changes you’ve noticed and how you’re worried about them. Whether or not they give you an answer, the thought that someone is there for them could be more help than they expected, and it could open a door for them to be transparent with you also.
Space, time, and encouragement
If your loved one gets defensive, it’s OK. Give them some space so they can process what they’re feeling and the information they received from you. Keep an eye on them and if you think they’re ready to try again, try going at a slower pace.
Encourage them and listen if they’ve come to you first. Reinforce that you care about them and want to help. Keep in mind that sometimes, this can just mean listening or sitting there with them as they’re processing. Remember to be gentle and take things slow while giving them the space and time they need.
Involvement
You and your loved one have had a few talks, and they think they’re ready for the next step. That’s wonderful.
You may feel like you want to be with them every step of the way but remember the points above: Space, time, encouragement, and transparency.
Ask them what their plan is and how much they want you to be involved in the treatment process, if at all. If they don’t know, take it step by step with them, but follow their lead and be willing to give space where it’s needed.
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 private. 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.
There are various hotlines, websites, resource centers, and more than have people or information that can help you get the care or support you need. The American Psychological Association has a page for other hotlines and crisis resources, but here are a few that we’ve listed out:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline offers phone support to people experiencing domestic violence.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers phone support to people in emotional distress.
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline provides treatment referrals and information support to people coping with substance misuse or other mental health conditions.
- Veterans Crisis Line provides support to veterans and their loved ones.
- Childhelp National Child Abuse provides text, chat, and phone support to children who have experienced abuse.
- RAINN offers text and phone support to people who have experienced sexual abuse or violence.