Can Children Use Online Therapy?

But online therapy can be used with children too.

How Online Therapy Works

There are many licensed mental health professionals who treat children and teens online.

Online therapy appointments may take place via video, live chat, phone, or messaging.

Most therapy sessions can be conducted via a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

The rules about parental permission for children vary depending on the state and licensing organization.

If parents are involved, the therapist may request parental input into the problem that the child is experiencing.

They may also interview the parents about the childs history and any family history of mental illness.

It is important to understand that confidentiality with children is tricky.

This is true of both in-person and online therapy.

This might mean choosing to keep certain information that the child has shared with the therapist private.

Ask any potential therapist for your child about their policies regarding sharing confidential information with the parent or guardian.

The most popular online therapy modality iscognitive behavioral therapy.

Research shows online cognitive behavioral therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy in children.

Online counseling may also involve supportive counseling where the therapist provides emotional support.

It involves using a variety of toys (like a dollhouse) to express emotions and act out scenarios.

Sand tray therapytends to be conducted in person as well.

It involves a tray of sand with a variety of figurines available.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing(EMDR) is also usually done in person.

Children may communicate with the therapist in a variety of different ways.

While some online therapy sites and plans allow for unlimited messaging, others requirevideo chats.

Online therapists with appropriate credentials, such aspsychologistsandlicensed clinical social workers, can provide mental health diagnoses.

In addition, insurance companies might not cover mental health services unless there is a diagnosis.

Much of the research regarding online therapy for children focuses ondepressionandanxiety.

But online therapists often treat a variety of mental health issues and offer other preventative services as well.

Some online therapy sites offer psychiatry services as well.

Apsychiatristis a physician who specializes in mental health treatment and is able to prescribe medication.

This could be helpful to parents who are interested in helping a child manage their symptoms with medication.

You might find that an online therapist meets your needs.

There are many different online therapy services that differ in terms of price and communication options.

Find out which option is the best for you.

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology.

2016;26(3):235-245. doi:10.1089/cap.2015.0029