Online therapy is one of the best channels to help teens understand their issues while learning coping skills that will help them face their struggles moving forward. If you are a parent of a teen or are a teen who is struggling with an emotional issue, here’s where you should begin.
Here are a few top recommended online therapy services for teens. Compare your options and go with the one that best fits your teen’s needs, personality, and circumstances.
Which Teens Benefit From Online Therapy?
As a teenager, it can be hard to express yourself. Sometimes, talking to someone in a virtual environment rather than face-to-face can help break down the barriers to getting help. Online therapy can be especially helpful for teens in certain situations:
Teens who don’t know how to cope with the many expectations placed upon them.
Teens who are bullied or treated badly by others, and feel embarrassed to talk about it with someone they know.
Teens who lack a stable home environment, especially when they are stuck at home.
Teens who are anxious, shy and lack the skills to fully manage their emotions and changing bodies.
What to Pay Attention to When Searching for Online Therapy for Teens
The online therapy services listed here all cater to teens in different ways. It’s important to be aware of these differences and how they can enhance your treatment.
Here are some things to pay attention to when finding your online therapy for teens:
Some online therapy platforms only provide services to teens above a certain age.
Consider the communication methods of each platform. Some teens are more comfortable communicating via chat sessions rather than via video calls.
Teens are often proficient with a smartphone, so pay attention to whether or not the online therapy platform is suitable for mobile devices.
Some online therapy platforms have extensive therapist profiles. This can help you find a therapist that is experienced in treating specific teen problems.
Our Best Online Therapy for Teens in 2024:
- Amwell - Best online therapy for teens overall
- Online-Therapy.com - Best for cognitive behavioral therapy
- Talkspace - Best for psychiatric services for teens over 13
- Cerebral - Best for anxiety, depression, or insomnia
- Calmerry - Best for affordability
- Teen Counseling - Best for therapy designed specifically for teens
- BetterHelp - Largest selection of licensed counselors
- Faithful Counseling - Best for Christian teens
- Pride Counseling - Best for LGBTQ teens
Our Picks for The Best Online Therapy & Counseling for Teens - Reviews:
1. Amwell
Online therapy for teens on demand
Best for:
Teens who want instant online therapy without the fuss
Pricing:
$109-$129 per session
Ways of communication:
Video only
Amwell has a large network of therapists who are trained in treating teens ages 10-17 with parental or guardian consent. Teens can be added to the existing account of an adult.
Amwell offers flexible online therapy within reach through its website and app, with both providing an equal level of functionality. Amwell doesn’t match you with a single therapist but instead allows you to make appointments with anyone on its platform based on availability. This provides more flexibility, but there is no possibility for communication between sessions.
Why we chose Amwell: One key aspect that sets Amwell apart from other online therapy platforms is the ability of its network of professionals to write prescriptions. This comprehensive approach to mental health care, backed by a team of skilled therapists, ensures that teens receive a high level of support and appropriate treatment
Pros:
Select a therapist and make an appointment straight away
Covered by most insurance providers
Get a prescription without visiting a doctor’s office
Cons:
Doesn’t offer services outside of the United States
No communication possible between scheduled appointments
2. Online-Therapy.com
Affordable online therapy for teens
Best for:
Teens who want Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and helpful online tools
Pricing:
$40-$88 per week
Ways of communication:
Video, audio, live chat
Online-Therapy.com is more than just an online therapy platform. Instead of waiting around for your weekly sessions, Online-Therapy.com provides clients with learning modules, assignments, quizzes, and worksheets to fill out. This means that a lot of growth can happen between sessions, which may be why teens like the program so much.
If you are over the age of 18, you can reach Online-Therapy.com without adult supervision. If you're under the age of 18, you can still reach them via the account of an adult.
Why we chose Online-Therapy.com: Its service has been optimized for smartphones and tablets, meaning that it’s always within reach for teens. You’ll also be able to discuss your weekly activity plan, assignments, and any problems you have been dealing with via SMS and live chat sessions. This holistic approach ensures that you will see results.
Pros:
Affordable compared to other providers
Choose your own therapist and switch anytime you want
Straightforward platform
Cons:
Available only without adult supervision to teens aged 18 years and older
Therapists on the platform cannot prescribe medication
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3. Talkspace
Online therapy for a wide range of disorders
Best for:
Teens aged +13 years
Pricing:
$69-$129 per week
Ways of communication:
Video, phone, messages, live chat
Talkspace specializes in offering online therapy for teens that are 13 years or older. Its platform is ideal if you need affordable, convenient, and discreet mental health and psychiatry support.
Talkspace connects you with a licensed and experienced therapist based on your circumstances using its matching process. It specializes in over 40 clinical approaches, so you can be confident your needs will be met.
It accepts insurance and offers three different payment plans: $69, $99, or $129 per week. If you need a cheaper alternative to traditional therapy, and feel like talking with a qualified professional could help, Talkspace would be ideal for you.
Why we chose Talkspace: Talkspace's straightforward app allows teenagers to connect with therapists on-the-go, providing flexibility in their busy lives. Teens can send messages and receive timely advice or support whenever they need it.
Pros:
Can help with a wide range of mental health difficulties
24/7 online messaging service with your therapist
Specialized in teens aged +13 years
Cons:
Doesn’t have Medicare or Medicaid
No live video sessions on lowest-tier plan
4. Cerebral
Online therapy for a wide range of disorders
Best for:
Teens with anxiety, depression, or insomnia
Pricing:
From $45 a month
Ways of communication:
Phone, video calls, texting, email
Cerebral offers online talk therapy sessions and affordable pricing, meaning that it is easy for anyone to start their mental health journey. Teens experiencing depression, anxiety, or insomnia can reach out at any time, ensuring that their care is continuous.
Cerebral also provides you with an app, meaning that you can utilize all of its features from your smartphone. Phone and video chats facilitate talk therapy sessions, providing you with safe, judgement-free spaces to discuss your thoughts and emotions.
Why we chose Cerebral: Cerebral sets itself apart by offering an integrated approach to therapy, as its trained professionals are also able to prescribe medication when necessary, in addition to providing counseling. This feature is especially useful for teens who may require a combined treatment plan to address their specific mental health challenges more effectively.
Pros:
Offers medication prescriptions through its platform
Quick and easy to sign up
Cost-effective therapy
Cons:
Not all plans are available nationwide
Only available to teens aged 18 years and older
5. Calmerry
Affordable mental health therapy for teens
Best for:
Individual teens
Pricing:
$57-$90 per week
Ways of communication:
Videos, messages, live chat, and audio messages
Calmerry provides affordable mental health counseling with its network of verified and licensed counselors. It offers a wide range of therapy types from Gestalt to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and clients can change therapists as necessary in order to find the right match. Its platform is available on both iOS and Android via its apps, which means you can benefit from all its features using your smartphone.
While Calmerry offers affordable counseling, it doesn’t yet offer insurance options. It currently offers 30-minute video sessions, which are shorter than most other providers. Nonetheless, Calmerry has a great reputation for treating mental health conditions for teens and signing up is quick and easy!
Why we chose Calmerry: Calmerry stands out for its commitment to providing affordable mental health support to teenagers without compromising on quality. By offering competitively priced therapy plans, they enable teens from various backgrounds to receive professional care without financial barriers.
Pros:
Convenient app for teens
An extensive blog on therapy and mental health
Mental health assistants readily available
Cons:
Doesn’t accept insurance
Relatively short video sessions at 30 minutes
6. Teen Counseling
Exclusively dedicated to teen issues
Best for:
Therapy designed specifically for teens
Pricing:
$260-$360 per month
Ways of communication:
Video, phone, messages, live chat
Teen Counseling is the only site that is dedicated just to teenagers. It offers a solid parental consent policy built-in. Teens can chat with their qualified therapist whenever they want from their phones, review previous sessions, and schedule new sessions with ease. Furthermore, Teen Counseling begins the process with a detailed questionnaire that facilitates a thorough client-to-therapist match.
Why we chose Teen Counseling: They ensure that their team of therapists is not only experienced but also trained in addressing teen-specific issues, such as anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. One of their standout features is the availability of family counseling sessions, allowing for a more comprehensive and inclusive therapeutic experience.
Pros:
Works off of your mobile device
Smart questionnaire for more accurate pairing
Cheaper than in-person therapy
Cons:
Diagnoses and prescriptions are unavailable
Does not work in-network with insurance providers
7. BetterHelp
Support groups and messaging with therapists at any time
Best for:
Teens who seek discretion
Pricing:
From $65 per week
Ways of communication:
Text, live chat, video call, phone call
BetterHelp stands out from its extensive network of therapists, ensuring that teens can find professionals who best match their specific needs and preferences. This guarantees a personalized and effective therapeutic experience tailored to each teenager's unique circumstances. You can pick from 30,000+ licensed professionals within the network, and being paired with a therapist is easy and fast after you complete your initial intake.
An additional benefit is their cutting-edge AI-driven matching system that takes into account various factors such as presenting concerns, communication preferences, and therapist expertise to simplify the process of finding the right counselor.
Why we chose BetterHelp: BetterHelp's commitment to providing a customized platform for teenagers, as well as the efficiency of their matching process, make it an excellent choice for online counseling services in 2024. It also has an easy-to-navigate mobile app.
Pros:
Highly acclaimed in the industry
Sleek Mobile App
Cons:
Therapists can’t prescribe medication
It can take a couple of days before you're matched on some occasions
8. Faithful Counseling
Faith-based Christian Counseling Online
Best for:
Clinical therapy that includes biblical teachings
Pricing:
$65-$90 per week
Ways of communication:
Video, phone, messages, live chat
Faithful Counseling is another excellent option for teens with its affordability and numerous highly qualified therapists. This platform also extends another beneficial feature for a particular niche: Christian teenagers. Such benefits include online Christian counseling and catering explicitly to this subset of the young community. Christian teenagers may often feel unable to express their issues and emotions to individuals who may not share the same faith or background. Thanks to Faithful Counseling, religious teenagers have the opportunity to voice their concerns, receive help, and connect with a counselor who truly understands their struggles and can offer tailored support.
Why we chose Faithful Counseling: Their team of experienced counselors is not only experienced in addressing teen-specific challenges but also holds strong religious values, ensuring that their guidance integrates both faith and evidence-based techniques. Additionally, Faithful Counseling offers prayer support, Bible study resources, and faith-based coping strategies alongside traditional therapy methods.
Pros:
6,000+ therapists specializing in Christianity-based counseling
Can visit a "room" at anytime
Option to visit via their website or the free app
Cons:
Matching process can take 1-2 days
Can’t choose a specific therapist
9. Pride Counseling
Specialized Therapy for the LGBTQIA+ Community
Best for:
LGBTQIA+ Counseling
Pricing:
From $65 per week
Ways of communication:
Text, video, audio, and live sessions
Pride Counseling focuses on a niche community of teens that is often overlooked through traditional channels. At this stage in life, many teens struggle with questions about their sexuality, intimacy, and/or identity. Pride Counseling creates a safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic space where kids can discuss their feelings, express their concerns, and voice their own opinions.
Pride Counseling is run by trained professionals who work with teens and bring thousands of hours of hands-on experience to the table. If your teen is struggling with being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or curious, Pride might be the right site for you.
Why we chose Pride Counseling: Their comprehensive approach to addressing both common and LGBTQ-specific issues, such as coming out, identity exploration, and family dynamics, ensures that teens feel understood and supported throughout their counseling journey. Additionally, the platform emphasizes the importance of encouraging honest conversations in a safe environment.
Pros:
All therapists specialize in LGBTQIA+ counseling
Android and iOS app
Cons:
Only available to teens aged 18 or above
Does not accept insurance
What Exactly Is Therapy for Teens?
While you might be thinking, “Therapy is therapy”, so what is the big deal about “teen therapy?” Well the difference is in finding a counselor who specializes in the unique needs of teenagers and what they might be going through.
Teenagers face a wide variety of struggles and finding an appropriate and capable therapist is critical to their success. Their world just doesn’t look the same, feel the same, or act the same as others, so it only makes sense that their therapy sessions don’t play out the same either.
Even better is that teenagers are technologically savvy, so online therapy is an easy fit for their busy lives. While one might think adding more technology to their worlds is not a great idea considering how much time they already spend on their devices, in truth, offering therapy to teens in a familiar medium might make them more likely to stay committed to the process.
It is less time consuming for them, which is a big draw for the lives of busy teenagers.
What to Know Before You Choose
All sites require parental or guardian permission for a teen. This process might vary from site to site, so please be mindful and check each for its specific requirements. Additionally, before you sign up for a site that claims to offer just what your teen is looking for, be sure to check off these boxes.
Experience
Make sure the therapist has experience working with teens and specializes in developmentally appropriate techniques. Someone with expertise will avoid using labels and will understand the root issues that are being addressed.
Most sites allow for a change in therapist if there is a personality clash or the match doesn’t feel like a good fit, so making sure the teen knows that feeling comfortable and connected to their therapist is imperative for a successful therapeutic relationship.
Bottom Line
Teens don’t have to struggle through this challenging time alone. With a qualified, compassionate, and understanding counselor, your teen can begin to feel stronger and more equipped to handle the challenges they are facing. As you explore various online therapy options for your teen, you could also consider these cerebral alternatives. This review of alternative service providers offers diverse and innovative approaches to mental health care tailored to the unique challenges and needs of adolescents in today’s world.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help or struggles with suicidal thoughts, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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