Online Therapy for Teens: Finding Help When It’s Needed

When you’re in need, it’s important to have options to meet that need. If you’re struggling with mental health or other concerns, being able to connect easily and quickly with a trained professional who can help you begin to address those concerns can be a lifesaver. For a teen who’s navigating the various complexities of adolescence, having the option to connect remotely and securely with a professional for support can make a huge difference.

Online Therapy in Brief

Our world is fast-paced, and just about everything is connected digitally. It shouldn’t be a surprise that online therapy for teens is an increasingly popular way to seek emotional and mental support from mental health professionals.

Online therapy simply refers to the support and counsel delivered by a mental health professional through a digital platform, and that can include phone sessions, emails, video calls, or text-based chats.

Online therapy for teens has the same premise as traditional therapy – the idea is to provide a confidential and safe space where an individual can process and work through their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This happens under the guidance of a trained and licensed mental health professional who walks alongside the individual as they unpack their concerns.

The way online therapy works is that it’s scheduled the same way traditional therapy is. A client will have an appointment scheduled at a time that’s convenient to them, and when the time comes, they connect with their therapist. With a stable internet connection as well as privacy to ensure you’re not disturbed and can communicate effectively, the sessions are done through a confidential and secure platform that protects the client’s privacy.

If you’re doing online therapy with a Christian counselor, they’ll approach the sessions using evidence-based therapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, while integrating or incorporating biblical principles, prayer, and wisdom from Scripture to unpack and frame the questions and concerns in a way that meets the individual’s needs holistically.

Issues Addressed in Online Therapy for Teens

Online therapy allows for accessibility and flexibility so that you can get the help you need more easily. Just as with traditional therapy, online therapy addresses a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, anxiety disorders and depression, stress management, and techniques to handle life’s pressures, and working through grief and loss by providing adequate space to process emotions to find hope and healing.

Online therapy is also effective in dealing with spiritual struggles as individuals go through a crisis, for instance. It also addresses self-esteem and identity issues, anger management, body image issues, dealing with trauma and post-traumatic stress, dealing with relationship issues such as communication and conflict with friends or parents and siblings, and addiction support for certain stages of the recovery process.

The teen years carry different struggles as one adjusts to adolescence and the many changes that come with that. Online therapy can be used to address these challenges effectively to promote well-being.

The Benefits and Disadvantages of Telehealth

Online therapy for teens, just like traditional therapy, has its benefits and drawbacks. It carries particular benefits for teens for various reasons, including the following:

Accessibility and flexibility Having online sessions means that they can be scheduled to fit into busy school and extracurricular schedules. Sessions won’t be disruptive to other activities. Additionally, doing therapy online means there’s no geographical limit, which helps when wanting to cast a wide net for potential counselors that are a good fit.

Comfort with technology For many teens, communicating via digital platforms is familiar and perhaps comfortable compared to other demographics.

Anonymity Being able to access services without needing to go to a physical location may be more comfortable, especially if the teen has concerns about stigma around mental health concerns. The anonymity and privacy of connecting from their room or another private space may be appealing to some. The privacy afforded by the therapeutic space may also encourage a teen to open up more freely about sensitive topics.

Faith integration With Christian online therapy, your Christian counselor can address not only issues around emotional well-being but also speak to spiritual growth and issues of faith.

Cost-effectiveness Online therapy is often more affordable than traditional, in-person therapy, making it a more attractive option.

Access to specialists Geography and costs can limit access to therapists who specialize in specific areas such as depression or anxiety disorders, but doing it online means having greater access and being able to find and connect with such therapists.

Some disadvantages come with online therapy for teens, such as technical problems due to poor connectivity, which can be disruptive for sessions. Doing therapy online may also make it easier for the teen to get distracted by things in their environment or the device they’re using, if they’re receiving messages or emails, for instance.

When you connect online, there are always things that are more easily lost in translation, and that includes nonverbal cues such as body language, tone of voice, and other intangible factors that influence human communication. Picking up on such cues helps counselors to address even unexpressed concerns, but this may be hindered in online therapy.

Lastly, a disadvantage with online therapy is that there is limited support, particularly if it’s a crisis or relates to certain issues where immediate support is needed, or a physical presence is more appropriate.

Online therapy, like traditional in-person therapy, has its benefits and drawbacks. The latter, however, can be compensated for if there’s sufficient awareness of the issues in advance. With appropriate parental involvement to ensure that the teen’s environment supports their therapeutic journey, online therapy can be a highly effective tool to promote a teen’s well-being.

Considerations Regarding Virtual Counseling for Teenagers

As you consider whether online therapy is what’s best for your teenager, there are some considerations to make along the way, including the following:

Research and choose a reputable platform It’s important that you do your research and look for online therapy platforms that are licensed, secure, and have good reviews. Ask friends or other loved ones that you trust for recommendations so that you get the best that’s available.

Establish a therapeutic space You should find a comfortable, quiet, and private space to have online therapy sessions in to minimize distractions or interruptions. It could be a home office or a nook that suits the purpose.

Be open and honest To get the most out of therapy, it’s important to share concerns and feelings with your counselor. What you share with them will help form the basis of the treatment plan they recommend, and so the more honest you are about the issues, the better. It can take you time to find the right counselor with the right dynamic, but that’s time well spent.

Set boundaries and expectations As you embark on your therapeutic journey, your teenager and their counselor must be on the same page about boundaries and expectations, such as communication methods and the frequency of the sessions.

Know the limits of online therapy There are times and places where in-person therapy may be the more appropriate route. Severe mental health crises, such as severe self-harm or active suicidal ideation, may require hands-on intervention. Similarly, cases of acute psychosis, intensive trauma therapy, or substance abuse in the early stages of recovery will often need structured, in-person interactions and support.

Online therapy is a valuable resource that can provide much-needed mental health support to teens. Weighing the advantages and drawbacks is essential before deciding, and you, along with your teen, can consider their needs as well as circumstances to determine the best course of action.

If you or your teen is considering seeking help to address issues affecting their well-being, you can reach out to a qualified Christian counselor and see the options available to you. Online therapy for teens is versatile, accessible, and an effective way to address a wide variety of concerns.

Contact us at Seattle Christian Counseling to speak with someone today about online therapy so your teen can begin their journey toward their well-being.