Best Online Therapy for Teens for 2026
Therapy on your time, in your space

What Is Online Therapy?

Like the name suggests, online therapy is a term used to describe mental health counseling that you can receive from the comfort of your own home in front of your PC or right at your fingertips on your smartphone. Often referred to as “e-therapy” or “internet therapy,” online therapy isn’t meant for people who are in the midst of a mental health emergency or who need urgent medical care. Instead, it’s a way for people to get easy, convenient, and reliable counseling that tends to be more affordable and more accessible than in-person therapy.

Our Recommendations for Online Therapy

Where Are People Most Lonely?

Feeling lonely is something everyone goes through now and then. It can be influenced by factors like relationships, your living situation, and how happy you are. With that in mind, we set out to determine which states have more people feeling lonely by conducting an in-depth survey.

Expert Tips for Coping with Loneliness

Everyone feels lonely from time to time, but it’s important to learn how to cope with loneliness so it doesn’t affect your long-term mental and physical health. Here are some expert tips on how to cope with loneliness.

Recite Self Love Affirmations

Kelly Armatage, a trained counselor and CBT therapist, defines loneliness as an inner void caused by a disconnection from the heart or a rejection of oneself.

“In order to fill up this inner void, it is important to connect to our own heart, connect to our inner child, and open up to love,” says Armatage. One of the best techniques for connecting with your heart is reciting self-love affirmations such as, “There is love, fulfillment, peace, and joy from within.”

Armatage concludes, “As you connect with your heart, you will then know just how unlonely being alone can be.”

Try a New Hobby

Hobbies are an excellent approach to dealing with loneliness because they allow people to focus on activities they enjoy, contributing to a sense of purpose.

Whether it's painting, writing, gardening, or learning to play a musical instrument, a new hobby can bring a sense of fulfillment and self-expression, according to psychologist Dana Klisanin.

Go to Therapy

“The cure for loneliness is connection,” says Dr. Annie Zimmerman, a psychotherapist and author of Your Pocket Therapist. “The best way to be less lonely is to be vulnerable with a safe person.”

However, that’s not always easy. Sometimes, people need an unbiased third person to talk to about their vulnerability. “This is why therapy works — our hidden vulnerable parts finally feel seen and understood,” says Zimmerman.

Whether you live in one of the top loneliest states in America or not can affect how lonely you feel and can affect your levels of loneliness. Consider investing in an online therapy service as a supportive resource if you are experiencing loneliness.

What Is Onlne Therapy for Teens?

Teen online therapy is similar to general online therapy except its counselors work primarily with adolescents and specialize in struggles common to that age. These might include:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Identity issues

• Bullying

• Trouble fitting in

• Coping with divorce

How Does Online Teen Therapy Work?

In online teen therapy, counselors speak one-on-one with adolescents remotely via video sessions, phone calls, or real-time chat,

Typically, online teen therapy requires parental or guardian permission. Sites may have policies in place that allow parents to consult with their child’s therapists or be alerted in the case of self-harming behavior. It’s a general practice that conversations between the teen and their counselor are kept between the two parties.

Since today’s teens are so adept at technology, many find that online therapy suits them as well if not better than face-to-face counseling. They can send messages to their therapist, conduct sessions from the comfort of their homes, and communicate through their own online portal.

When you sign up for an online therapy service, you’ll typically be asked to take a short quiz to determine which sorts of issues you’re dealing with, which can be used to help the service match you with a counselor who may specialize in your concerns. When you’re seeking out online counseling for your child, the quiz will ask you a lot of questions about what you think the child needs help with, before sending the child an invitation on your behalf.

How Much Does it Cost?

The prices vary by company, but typically online therapy services charge a monthly fee to use the service, and don't charge by minute or hour or text. For instance, BetterHelp, one of the bigger names in the industry, charges a flat fee of between $40-$70 per week, including all messaging, chats, phone, and video sessions.

These memberships tend to be quite flexible, and allow you to quit at any time.

Most online counseling is not covered by insurance, so while it’s cheaper than in-person therapists, you will typically have to pay out of pocket.

How to Choose the Right Online Teen Therapy Service

Before you sign up for an online therapy service, do a little research. Make sure the platform offers counselors who specialize in teen therapy. Take a look at how the company screens its counselors and if their certification checks out. You can also look at online testimonials by customers to get an idea about the quality of service.

You’ll want to decide which types of counseling you and your teen are most comfortable using—chat, video, or email—and if they’re available through the service. If your teen is interested in using the service on their smartphone, see if the company has an app and if your child can have sessions with their counselor by chat on the phone.

Look at the price also, and see if it fits your budget. In addition, see if you can quit the membership at any time, or if it’s binding.