Online Therapy Services for Kids and Families, Tried and Tested

Mental health conditions don’t just impact adults; they can affect kids as young as 3.In fact, diagnoses of mental health issues in children and adolescents have increased exponentially in recent years in the United States. Over 6 million children have been diagnosed withADHD, over 5.8 million have been diagnosed withanxiety, and nearly 3 million have been diagnosed withdepression.The good news is the sooner your kid is diagnosed, the faster they can get the help they need. Sometimes, though, finding that help can be tricky, to put it lightly. There aren’t enough child therapists or child psychiatrists to meet demand in the United States—especially if you live in rural or remote places that experts sometimes refer to as “therapy deserts.”

The 8 Best Online Therapy Services for KidsBest for Teens:Teen CounselingBest Subscription Service:TalkspaceBest for Psychiatry:TalkiatryMost Comprehensive:Little OtterBest for Ages 10+:AmwellBest for Parents:LifeStance HealthBest Family Therapy:ThriveworksBest Directory:Alma

82Companies reviewed8,400Total users surveyed350Data points analyzedWe surveyed 100 users from 55 online therapy companies and 27 therapist directories to understand their experiences with these services. Then, we tested the services ourselves across multiple states, conducted comprehensive data collection research, and evaluated our results with the help of a licensed therapist.

82Companies reviewed8,400Total users surveyed350Data points analyzed

82Companies reviewed

Companies reviewed

8,400Total users surveyed

Total users surveyed

350Data points analyzed

Data points analyzed

Privacy

Our Online Therapy MethodologyCurious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.

Our Online Therapy Methodology

Curious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.

Online Therapy Services for Kids and Families, Tried and TestedView AllOnline Therapy Services for Kids and Families, Tried and TestedOur Top PicksTeen CounselingTalkspaceTalkiatryLittle OtterAmwellLifeStance HealthThriveworksAlmaSee More (5)Compare ProvidersHow to ChooseWho Is Online Kids Therapy Right For?FAQsHow We Tested

Online Therapy Services for Kids and Families, Tried and TestedView All

View All

Online Therapy Services for Kids and Families, Tried and Tested

How to Choose

Who Is Online Kids Therapy Right For?

FAQs

How We Tested

Best for Teens:Teen CounselingPrice:$65 to $90 per week, billed every 4 weeksIs Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Teen CounselingLearn MoreWhy We Chose ItToday, about 50% of teens in the United States face mental health challenges.That’s whyTeen Counselingstood out to us: It specializes in offering adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 targeted support for common issues this age group faces, likebullying,social anxiety, andbody imageconcerns. We also found that the live text-therapy option worked well for teens and we liked that parents get their own “room” for updates and support as well.Pros & ConsProsLive video, phone, and chat sessions availableOver 15,000 licensed therapists to choose fromYou can message your therapist anytimeSeparate therapy “rooms” for parents and teensConsDoesn’t accept insuranceTherapy sessions typically only 30 or 45 minutes longUses surge pricing, meaning it charges more in areas with limited availabilityOur TestingWe asked five parents to sign up with their teens forTeen Counseling’s therapy services in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan—and our experience was overwhelmingly positive. The therapists were knowledgeable and approachable toward their teen patients, and we appreciated that we, as parents, could be part of the process without stepping on our children’s toes.There are over 15,000 licensed therapists in Teen Counseling’s network across all 50 U.S. states, meaning it’s easier for the company to make good matches. That said, we had mixed feelings about the therapists we were matched with, and, in some cases, we switched to a different therapist, which was a simple process through the patient portal. We also liked that there were a lot of different ways to communicate with our therapists at Teen Counseling. We could have our weekly live therapy sessions through a live video call, phone call, or live chat—a format that we found some teens really liked (or even preferred). That said, live chat isn’t a great fit for every teen and can make some feel like they have to type as fast as they can to get the most out of a session, which can be stressful.Therapy RoomsParents and teens have separate “therapy rooms” for messaging, which we liked because it gave our teens their own space to correspond with their therapist.Teen Counseling also offers “e-journaling” in the portal. It’s basically a virtual journal where you write a longer message that you can choose to share with your therapist or not. If you share,  your therapist responds in their own time. We found in testing that most teens werenotinterested in this option because it felt like homework. However, from what we could see in the patient portal, it seems like a relatively easy-to-use service that’s an excellent option, especially if you’re feeling rushed in live chat sessions but don’t wish to do a video session.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:YesOut-of-Pocket Costs:Ranges from $260 to $360 per month, depending on your location and therapist availability, and includes four live sessions (typically one $65 to $90 session per week) in the format of your choice, plus 24/7 messaging with your teen’s therapist.What Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of Teen Counseling:86% rated Teen Counseling as very good or excellent overall87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at Teen Counseling93% are likely or very likely to recommend Teen Counseling to a friend or someone like them57% were looking for a therapist for their child

Best for Teens:Teen Counseling

Price:$65 to $90 per week, billed every 4 weeksIs Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Teen CounselingLearn MoreWhy We Chose ItToday, about 50% of teens in the United States face mental health challenges.That’s whyTeen Counselingstood out to us: It specializes in offering adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 targeted support for common issues this age group faces, likebullying,social anxiety, andbody imageconcerns. We also found that the live text-therapy option worked well for teens and we liked that parents get their own “room” for updates and support as well.Pros & ConsProsLive video, phone, and chat sessions availableOver 15,000 licensed therapists to choose fromYou can message your therapist anytimeSeparate therapy “rooms” for parents and teensConsDoesn’t accept insuranceTherapy sessions typically only 30 or 45 minutes longUses surge pricing, meaning it charges more in areas with limited availabilityOur TestingWe asked five parents to sign up with their teens forTeen Counseling’s therapy services in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan—and our experience was overwhelmingly positive. The therapists were knowledgeable and approachable toward their teen patients, and we appreciated that we, as parents, could be part of the process without stepping on our children’s toes.There are over 15,000 licensed therapists in Teen Counseling’s network across all 50 U.S. states, meaning it’s easier for the company to make good matches. That said, we had mixed feelings about the therapists we were matched with, and, in some cases, we switched to a different therapist, which was a simple process through the patient portal. We also liked that there were a lot of different ways to communicate with our therapists at Teen Counseling. We could have our weekly live therapy sessions through a live video call, phone call, or live chat—a format that we found some teens really liked (or even preferred). That said, live chat isn’t a great fit for every teen and can make some feel like they have to type as fast as they can to get the most out of a session, which can be stressful.Therapy RoomsParents and teens have separate “therapy rooms” for messaging, which we liked because it gave our teens their own space to correspond with their therapist.Teen Counseling also offers “e-journaling” in the portal. It’s basically a virtual journal where you write a longer message that you can choose to share with your therapist or not. If you share,  your therapist responds in their own time. We found in testing that most teens werenotinterested in this option because it felt like homework. However, from what we could see in the patient portal, it seems like a relatively easy-to-use service that’s an excellent option, especially if you’re feeling rushed in live chat sessions but don’t wish to do a video session.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:YesOut-of-Pocket Costs:Ranges from $260 to $360 per month, depending on your location and therapist availability, and includes four live sessions (typically one $65 to $90 session per week) in the format of your choice, plus 24/7 messaging with your teen’s therapist.What Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of Teen Counseling:86% rated Teen Counseling as very good or excellent overall87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at Teen Counseling93% are likely or very likely to recommend Teen Counseling to a friend or someone like them57% were looking for a therapist for their child

Price:$65 to $90 per week, billed every 4 weeksIs Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Teen CounselingLearn More

Learn More

Why We Chose ItToday, about 50% of teens in the United States face mental health challenges.That’s whyTeen Counselingstood out to us: It specializes in offering adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 targeted support for common issues this age group faces, likebullying,social anxiety, andbody imageconcerns. We also found that the live text-therapy option worked well for teens and we liked that parents get their own “room” for updates and support as well.Pros & ConsProsLive video, phone, and chat sessions availableOver 15,000 licensed therapists to choose fromYou can message your therapist anytimeSeparate therapy “rooms” for parents and teensConsDoesn’t accept insuranceTherapy sessions typically only 30 or 45 minutes longUses surge pricing, meaning it charges more in areas with limited availabilityOur TestingWe asked five parents to sign up with their teens forTeen Counseling’s therapy services in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan—and our experience was overwhelmingly positive. The therapists were knowledgeable and approachable toward their teen patients, and we appreciated that we, as parents, could be part of the process without stepping on our children’s toes.There are over 15,000 licensed therapists in Teen Counseling’s network across all 50 U.S. states, meaning it’s easier for the company to make good matches. That said, we had mixed feelings about the therapists we were matched with, and, in some cases, we switched to a different therapist, which was a simple process through the patient portal. We also liked that there were a lot of different ways to communicate with our therapists at Teen Counseling. We could have our weekly live therapy sessions through a live video call, phone call, or live chat—a format that we found some teens really liked (or even preferred). That said, live chat isn’t a great fit for every teen and can make some feel like they have to type as fast as they can to get the most out of a session, which can be stressful.Therapy RoomsParents and teens have separate “therapy rooms” for messaging, which we liked because it gave our teens their own space to correspond with their therapist.Teen Counseling also offers “e-journaling” in the portal. It’s basically a virtual journal where you write a longer message that you can choose to share with your therapist or not. If you share,  your therapist responds in their own time. We found in testing that most teens werenotinterested in this option because it felt like homework. However, from what we could see in the patient portal, it seems like a relatively easy-to-use service that’s an excellent option, especially if you’re feeling rushed in live chat sessions but don’t wish to do a video session.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:YesOut-of-Pocket Costs:Ranges from $260 to $360 per month, depending on your location and therapist availability, and includes four live sessions (typically one $65 to $90 session per week) in the format of your choice, plus 24/7 messaging with your teen’s therapist.What Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of Teen Counseling:86% rated Teen Counseling as very good or excellent overall87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at Teen Counseling93% are likely or very likely to recommend Teen Counseling to a friend or someone like them57% were looking for a therapist for their child

Why We Chose It

Today, about 50% of teens in the United States face mental health challenges.That’s whyTeen Counselingstood out to us: It specializes in offering adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 targeted support for common issues this age group faces, likebullying,social anxiety, andbody imageconcerns. We also found that the live text-therapy option worked well for teens and we liked that parents get their own “room” for updates and support as well.

Pros & Cons

ProsLive video, phone, and chat sessions availableOver 15,000 licensed therapists to choose fromYou can message your therapist anytimeSeparate therapy “rooms” for parents and teensConsDoesn’t accept insuranceTherapy sessions typically only 30 or 45 minutes longUses surge pricing, meaning it charges more in areas with limited availability

ProsLive video, phone, and chat sessions availableOver 15,000 licensed therapists to choose fromYou can message your therapist anytimeSeparate therapy “rooms” for parents and teens

Live video, phone, and chat sessions available

Over 15,000 licensed therapists to choose from

You can message your therapist anytime

Separate therapy “rooms” for parents and teens

ConsDoesn’t accept insuranceTherapy sessions typically only 30 or 45 minutes longUses surge pricing, meaning it charges more in areas with limited availability

Doesn’t accept insurance

Therapy sessions typically only 30 or 45 minutes long

Uses surge pricing, meaning it charges more in areas with limited availability

Our Testing

We asked five parents to sign up with their teens forTeen Counseling’s therapy services in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan—and our experience was overwhelmingly positive. The therapists were knowledgeable and approachable toward their teen patients, and we appreciated that we, as parents, could be part of the process without stepping on our children’s toes.There are over 15,000 licensed therapists in Teen Counseling’s network across all 50 U.S. states, meaning it’s easier for the company to make good matches. That said, we had mixed feelings about the therapists we were matched with, and, in some cases, we switched to a different therapist, which was a simple process through the patient portal. We also liked that there were a lot of different ways to communicate with our therapists at Teen Counseling. We could have our weekly live therapy sessions through a live video call, phone call, or live chat—a format that we found some teens really liked (or even preferred). That said, live chat isn’t a great fit for every teen and can make some feel like they have to type as fast as they can to get the most out of a session, which can be stressful.Therapy RoomsParents and teens have separate “therapy rooms” for messaging, which we liked because it gave our teens their own space to correspond with their therapist.Teen Counseling also offers “e-journaling” in the portal. It’s basically a virtual journal where you write a longer message that you can choose to share with your therapist or not. If you share,  your therapist responds in their own time. We found in testing that most teens werenotinterested in this option because it felt like homework. However, from what we could see in the patient portal, it seems like a relatively easy-to-use service that’s an excellent option, especially if you’re feeling rushed in live chat sessions but don’t wish to do a video session.

We asked five parents to sign up with their teens forTeen Counseling’s therapy services in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan—and our experience was overwhelmingly positive. The therapists were knowledgeable and approachable toward their teen patients, and we appreciated that we, as parents, could be part of the process without stepping on our children’s toes.

There are over 15,000 licensed therapists in Teen Counseling’s network across all 50 U.S. states, meaning it’s easier for the company to make good matches. That said, we had mixed feelings about the therapists we were matched with, and, in some cases, we switched to a different therapist, which was a simple process through the patient portal. We also liked that there were a lot of different ways to communicate with our therapists at Teen Counseling. We could have our weekly live therapy sessions through a live video call, phone call, or live chat—a format that we found some teens really liked (or even preferred). That said, live chat isn’t a great fit for every teen and can make some feel like they have to type as fast as they can to get the most out of a session, which can be stressful.

Therapy RoomsParents and teens have separate “therapy rooms” for messaging, which we liked because it gave our teens their own space to correspond with their therapist.

Parents and teens have separate “therapy rooms” for messaging, which we liked because it gave our teens their own space to correspond with their therapist.

Teen Counseling also offers “e-journaling” in the portal. It’s basically a virtual journal where you write a longer message that you can choose to share with your therapist or not. If you share,  your therapist responds in their own time. We found in testing that most teens werenotinterested in this option because it felt like homework. However, from what we could see in the patient portal, it seems like a relatively easy-to-use service that’s an excellent option, especially if you’re feeling rushed in live chat sessions but don’t wish to do a video session.

Plans & Pricing

Insurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:YesOut-of-Pocket Costs:Ranges from $260 to $360 per month, depending on your location and therapist availability, and includes four live sessions (typically one $65 to $90 session per week) in the format of your choice, plus 24/7 messaging with your teen’s therapist.

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of Teen Counseling:86% rated Teen Counseling as very good or excellent overall87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at Teen Counseling93% are likely or very likely to recommend Teen Counseling to a friend or someone like them57% were looking for a therapist for their child

We surveyed 100 users of Teen Counseling:

Best Subscription Service:TalkspacePrice:$276 to $436 per month for therapy subscriptionsIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn MoreWhy We Chose ItSeeking therapy for your child and family can be challenging—for example, child therapists will often only treat children, but you may also want therapy for yourself as a parent or with your spouse.Talkspacehas a remedy for this: Therapists who offer individual therapy, couples therapy, and teen therapy (ages 13 to 19) via live video or chat sessions. We also love that all the plans include unlimited messaging since texting is practically a second language for most teens. With its variety of subscription plans, you’ll be more likely to find one that fits your needs as a family.Pros & ConsProsMultiple subscription plans at a variety of price pointsAccepts insuranceUser-friendly appHIPAA-compliantMessaging-only therapy availableConsPsychiatry and medication management not available to teensNot available to kids under 13Typical sessions only 30 minutes longOur TestingWe had 12 people with different backgrounds (including several parents and their teens) sign up forTalkspaceand try its therapy services from states like North Carolina, Iowa, Missouri, and New York to see how family-friendly its various services actually are. One of Talkspace’s strengths is its multiple subscription plans—with a video and messaging plan, for example, we could schedule a live 30-minute video session with our therapist each week and message them anytime on the platform’s secure app.Matching With a TherapistWe liked that our teens could actually match with a therapist on their own—they just had to upload a brief video of a parent giving their consent and complete a short questionnaire about the issues they were currently dealing with (some states do not require parental consent—you can ask Talkspace for a list of ones that do if you’re not sure).We felt like the quality of care was generally high, and our teens felt heard and supported. All of Talkspace’s therapists are licensed, and all the providers designated for teen therapy have ample experience working with adolescents. There are also providers available who specialize in couples therapy, psychiatry (for adults), and individual therapy, so you’ll likely find a subscription plan that fits anyone in your family who needs it. We found that most therapists provided helpful insights, and the app made it easy to access messages and to do sessions from anywhere.Starting at $69 per week, Talkspace’s messaging-only plan is a cheaper alternative than most other services we tested. Text-assisted therapy may be a good option for teens who feel nervous about starting therapy, and for the most part, we really appreciated the communication style. However, we sometimes felt like the responses from our therapists were rather general, as if they’d been lifted from a prompt script.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:Yes, accepts Aetna, Optum, Cigna, Carelon, and Regence health insurance plans; accepts FSA/HSA paymentsSubscription Required:YesOut-of-Pocket Costs:Messaging-only plans start at $69 per week; video and messaging therapy starts at $99 per week; video, messaging, and workshops start at $109 per weekWhat Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:92% rated Talkspace as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent100% said that most or all of their needs were met at Talkspace97% are likely or very likely to recommend Talkspace to a friend or someone like them9% were looking for a therapist for their childRead the FullTalkspace Online Therapy Review

Best Subscription Service:Talkspace

Price:$276 to $436 per month for therapy subscriptionsIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn MoreWhy We Chose ItSeeking therapy for your child and family can be challenging—for example, child therapists will often only treat children, but you may also want therapy for yourself as a parent or with your spouse.Talkspacehas a remedy for this: Therapists who offer individual therapy, couples therapy, and teen therapy (ages 13 to 19) via live video or chat sessions. We also love that all the plans include unlimited messaging since texting is practically a second language for most teens. With its variety of subscription plans, you’ll be more likely to find one that fits your needs as a family.Pros & ConsProsMultiple subscription plans at a variety of price pointsAccepts insuranceUser-friendly appHIPAA-compliantMessaging-only therapy availableConsPsychiatry and medication management not available to teensNot available to kids under 13Typical sessions only 30 minutes longOur TestingWe had 12 people with different backgrounds (including several parents and their teens) sign up forTalkspaceand try its therapy services from states like North Carolina, Iowa, Missouri, and New York to see how family-friendly its various services actually are. One of Talkspace’s strengths is its multiple subscription plans—with a video and messaging plan, for example, we could schedule a live 30-minute video session with our therapist each week and message them anytime on the platform’s secure app.Matching With a TherapistWe liked that our teens could actually match with a therapist on their own—they just had to upload a brief video of a parent giving their consent and complete a short questionnaire about the issues they were currently dealing with (some states do not require parental consent—you can ask Talkspace for a list of ones that do if you’re not sure).We felt like the quality of care was generally high, and our teens felt heard and supported. All of Talkspace’s therapists are licensed, and all the providers designated for teen therapy have ample experience working with adolescents. There are also providers available who specialize in couples therapy, psychiatry (for adults), and individual therapy, so you’ll likely find a subscription plan that fits anyone in your family who needs it. We found that most therapists provided helpful insights, and the app made it easy to access messages and to do sessions from anywhere.Starting at $69 per week, Talkspace’s messaging-only plan is a cheaper alternative than most other services we tested. Text-assisted therapy may be a good option for teens who feel nervous about starting therapy, and for the most part, we really appreciated the communication style. However, we sometimes felt like the responses from our therapists were rather general, as if they’d been lifted from a prompt script.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:Yes, accepts Aetna, Optum, Cigna, Carelon, and Regence health insurance plans; accepts FSA/HSA paymentsSubscription Required:YesOut-of-Pocket Costs:Messaging-only plans start at $69 per week; video and messaging therapy starts at $99 per week; video, messaging, and workshops start at $109 per weekWhat Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:92% rated Talkspace as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent100% said that most or all of their needs were met at Talkspace97% are likely or very likely to recommend Talkspace to a friend or someone like them9% were looking for a therapist for their childRead the FullTalkspace Online Therapy Review

Price:$276 to $436 per month for therapy subscriptionsIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More

Why We Chose ItSeeking therapy for your child and family can be challenging—for example, child therapists will often only treat children, but you may also want therapy for yourself as a parent or with your spouse.Talkspacehas a remedy for this: Therapists who offer individual therapy, couples therapy, and teen therapy (ages 13 to 19) via live video or chat sessions. We also love that all the plans include unlimited messaging since texting is practically a second language for most teens. With its variety of subscription plans, you’ll be more likely to find one that fits your needs as a family.Pros & ConsProsMultiple subscription plans at a variety of price pointsAccepts insuranceUser-friendly appHIPAA-compliantMessaging-only therapy availableConsPsychiatry and medication management not available to teensNot available to kids under 13Typical sessions only 30 minutes longOur TestingWe had 12 people with different backgrounds (including several parents and their teens) sign up forTalkspaceand try its therapy services from states like North Carolina, Iowa, Missouri, and New York to see how family-friendly its various services actually are. One of Talkspace’s strengths is its multiple subscription plans—with a video and messaging plan, for example, we could schedule a live 30-minute video session with our therapist each week and message them anytime on the platform’s secure app.Matching With a TherapistWe liked that our teens could actually match with a therapist on their own—they just had to upload a brief video of a parent giving their consent and complete a short questionnaire about the issues they were currently dealing with (some states do not require parental consent—you can ask Talkspace for a list of ones that do if you’re not sure).We felt like the quality of care was generally high, and our teens felt heard and supported. All of Talkspace’s therapists are licensed, and all the providers designated for teen therapy have ample experience working with adolescents. There are also providers available who specialize in couples therapy, psychiatry (for adults), and individual therapy, so you’ll likely find a subscription plan that fits anyone in your family who needs it. We found that most therapists provided helpful insights, and the app made it easy to access messages and to do sessions from anywhere.Starting at $69 per week, Talkspace’s messaging-only plan is a cheaper alternative than most other services we tested. Text-assisted therapy may be a good option for teens who feel nervous about starting therapy, and for the most part, we really appreciated the communication style. However, we sometimes felt like the responses from our therapists were rather general, as if they’d been lifted from a prompt script.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:Yes, accepts Aetna, Optum, Cigna, Carelon, and Regence health insurance plans; accepts FSA/HSA paymentsSubscription Required:YesOut-of-Pocket Costs:Messaging-only plans start at $69 per week; video and messaging therapy starts at $99 per week; video, messaging, and workshops start at $109 per weekWhat Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:92% rated Talkspace as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent100% said that most or all of their needs were met at Talkspace97% are likely or very likely to recommend Talkspace to a friend or someone like them9% were looking for a therapist for their childRead the FullTalkspace Online Therapy Review

Seeking therapy for your child and family can be challenging—for example, child therapists will often only treat children, but you may also want therapy for yourself as a parent or with your spouse.Talkspacehas a remedy for this: Therapists who offer individual therapy, couples therapy, and teen therapy (ages 13 to 19) via live video or chat sessions. We also love that all the plans include unlimited messaging since texting is practically a second language for most teens. With its variety of subscription plans, you’ll be more likely to find one that fits your needs as a family.

ProsMultiple subscription plans at a variety of price pointsAccepts insuranceUser-friendly appHIPAA-compliantMessaging-only therapy availableConsPsychiatry and medication management not available to teensNot available to kids under 13Typical sessions only 30 minutes long

ProsMultiple subscription plans at a variety of price pointsAccepts insuranceUser-friendly appHIPAA-compliantMessaging-only therapy available

Multiple subscription plans at a variety of price points

Accepts insurance

User-friendly app

HIPAA-compliant

Messaging-only therapy available

ConsPsychiatry and medication management not available to teensNot available to kids under 13Typical sessions only 30 minutes long

Psychiatry and medication management not available to teens

Not available to kids under 13

Typical sessions only 30 minutes long

We had 12 people with different backgrounds (including several parents and their teens) sign up forTalkspaceand try its therapy services from states like North Carolina, Iowa, Missouri, and New York to see how family-friendly its various services actually are. One of Talkspace’s strengths is its multiple subscription plans—with a video and messaging plan, for example, we could schedule a live 30-minute video session with our therapist each week and message them anytime on the platform’s secure app.Matching With a TherapistWe liked that our teens could actually match with a therapist on their own—they just had to upload a brief video of a parent giving their consent and complete a short questionnaire about the issues they were currently dealing with (some states do not require parental consent—you can ask Talkspace for a list of ones that do if you’re not sure).We felt like the quality of care was generally high, and our teens felt heard and supported. All of Talkspace’s therapists are licensed, and all the providers designated for teen therapy have ample experience working with adolescents. There are also providers available who specialize in couples therapy, psychiatry (for adults), and individual therapy, so you’ll likely find a subscription plan that fits anyone in your family who needs it. We found that most therapists provided helpful insights, and the app made it easy to access messages and to do sessions from anywhere.Starting at $69 per week, Talkspace’s messaging-only plan is a cheaper alternative than most other services we tested. Text-assisted therapy may be a good option for teens who feel nervous about starting therapy, and for the most part, we really appreciated the communication style. However, we sometimes felt like the responses from our therapists were rather general, as if they’d been lifted from a prompt script.

We had 12 people with different backgrounds (including several parents and their teens) sign up forTalkspaceand try its therapy services from states like North Carolina, Iowa, Missouri, and New York to see how family-friendly its various services actually are. One of Talkspace’s strengths is its multiple subscription plans—with a video and messaging plan, for example, we could schedule a live 30-minute video session with our therapist each week and message them anytime on the platform’s secure app.

Matching With a TherapistWe liked that our teens could actually match with a therapist on their own—they just had to upload a brief video of a parent giving their consent and complete a short questionnaire about the issues they were currently dealing with (some states do not require parental consent—you can ask Talkspace for a list of ones that do if you’re not sure).

We liked that our teens could actually match with a therapist on their own—they just had to upload a brief video of a parent giving their consent and complete a short questionnaire about the issues they were currently dealing with (some states do not require parental consent—you can ask Talkspace for a list of ones that do if you’re not sure).

We felt like the quality of care was generally high, and our teens felt heard and supported. All of Talkspace’s therapists are licensed, and all the providers designated for teen therapy have ample experience working with adolescents. There are also providers available who specialize in couples therapy, psychiatry (for adults), and individual therapy, so you’ll likely find a subscription plan that fits anyone in your family who needs it. We found that most therapists provided helpful insights, and the app made it easy to access messages and to do sessions from anywhere.

Starting at $69 per week, Talkspace’s messaging-only plan is a cheaper alternative than most other services we tested. Text-assisted therapy may be a good option for teens who feel nervous about starting therapy, and for the most part, we really appreciated the communication style. However, we sometimes felt like the responses from our therapists were rather general, as if they’d been lifted from a prompt script.

Insurance Accepted:Yes, accepts Aetna, Optum, Cigna, Carelon, and Regence health insurance plans; accepts FSA/HSA paymentsSubscription Required:YesOut-of-Pocket Costs:Messaging-only plans start at $69 per week; video and messaging therapy starts at $99 per week; video, messaging, and workshops start at $109 per week

We surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:92% rated Talkspace as very good or excellent overall89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent100% said that most or all of their needs were met at Talkspace97% are likely or very likely to recommend Talkspace to a friend or someone like them9% were looking for a therapist for their child

We surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:

Read the FullTalkspace Online Therapy Review

Best for Psychiatry:Talkiatry

Price:Depends on your insuranceIs Insurance Accepted?:Yes. BCBS, Optum, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Medicare, and othersType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Medication Management, PsychiatryLearn More

ProsAccepts over 60 insurance plansOffers psychiatry and medication management to kids as young as fiveOver 300 board-certified psychiatristsLess than five days from sign-up to your first appointment60-minute initial visitChoose your own psychiatrist

Accepts over 60 insurance plans

Offers psychiatry and medication management to kids as young as five

Over 300 board-certified psychiatrists

Less than five days from sign-up to your first appointment

60-minute initial visit

Choose your own psychiatrist

Not available in all U.S. states

Doesn’t treat schizophrenia or eating disorders

BecauseTalkiatryis a psychiatry company, we did not think it was ethical to ask someone to test the company for us with their child. However, we did test the service with two adults who were already looking for new psychiatrists in New York, which allowed us to get some insight into how the company provides psychiatric care. There was a thorough intake process and we were left confident that most users would be comfortable recommending this service for parents and children because both our testers were parents. Finding a service that can treat kids as young as five years old is also a rarity.What Talkiatry Doesn’t TreatTalkiatry does not treat eating disorders or schizophrenia, so if you suspect your child is struggling with one of those conditions, this is not the right service for them—and the company will tell you this if it suspects you or your child have these conditions based on the intake screening.We appreciated that Talkiatry allowed us to choose our provider from a list of three different psychiatrists—and if we didn’t like those three options, we could call for a better match. We could also switch providers at any time if we didn’t feel comfortable after the first session (though it should be noted that you’ll have to email or call to get this switch). Talkiatry only accepts patients who are in-network with its accepted insurance plans, but we actually thought this was a good thing because it reduced our out-of-pocket costs (and psychiatrists who accept insurance are notoriously difficult to find). It was very easy to check if our insurance was accepted: We simply clicked the “check my insurance” button on the home page, which was also where we could find out what our copay would be.SessionsSessions at Talkiatry are very thorough, with the first session being an hour (double the time of intake sessions at other companies we evaluated). We found throughout our testing that the providers do not appear to be in a rush: Our intake sessions all ran over the scheduled hour so our providers could have the time to get through their questions and make a more thorough assessment of our mental health.The biggest drawback of Talkiatry is that there is a wait time between sign-up and your first session; for every provider we considered, the soonest appointments were at least a week to 10 days away, which could be disappointing if you were hoping to get an appointment quickly. However, this is on par with more traditional, in-person therapy, so we didn’t see it as too much of a drawback. We also found that when we switched providers, we also needed to wait up to 10 days for a new match and then another week or two for our first session with them.

BecauseTalkiatryis a psychiatry company, we did not think it was ethical to ask someone to test the company for us with their child. However, we did test the service with two adults who were already looking for new psychiatrists in New York, which allowed us to get some insight into how the company provides psychiatric care. There was a thorough intake process and we were left confident that most users would be comfortable recommending this service for parents and children because both our testers were parents. Finding a service that can treat kids as young as five years old is also a rarity.

What Talkiatry Doesn’t TreatTalkiatry does not treat eating disorders or schizophrenia, so if you suspect your child is struggling with one of those conditions, this is not the right service for them—and the company will tell you this if it suspects you or your child have these conditions based on the intake screening.

Talkiatry does not treat eating disorders or schizophrenia, so if you suspect your child is struggling with one of those conditions, this is not the right service for them—and the company will tell you this if it suspects you or your child have these conditions based on the intake screening.

We appreciated that Talkiatry allowed us to choose our provider from a list of three different psychiatrists—and if we didn’t like those three options, we could call for a better match. We could also switch providers at any time if we didn’t feel comfortable after the first session (though it should be noted that you’ll have to email or call to get this switch). Talkiatry only accepts patients who are in-network with its accepted insurance plans, but we actually thought this was a good thing because it reduced our out-of-pocket costs (and psychiatrists who accept insurance are notoriously difficult to find). It was very easy to check if our insurance was accepted: We simply clicked the “check my insurance” button on the home page, which was also where we could find out what our copay would be.

SessionsSessions at Talkiatry are very thorough, with the first session being an hour (double the time of intake sessions at other companies we evaluated). We found throughout our testing that the providers do not appear to be in a rush: Our intake sessions all ran over the scheduled hour so our providers could have the time to get through their questions and make a more thorough assessment of our mental health.

Sessions at Talkiatry are very thorough, with the first session being an hour (double the time of intake sessions at other companies we evaluated). We found throughout our testing that the providers do not appear to be in a rush: Our intake sessions all ran over the scheduled hour so our providers could have the time to get through their questions and make a more thorough assessment of our mental health.

The biggest drawback of Talkiatry is that there is a wait time between sign-up and your first session; for every provider we considered, the soonest appointments were at least a week to 10 days away, which could be disappointing if you were hoping to get an appointment quickly. However, this is on par with more traditional, in-person therapy, so we didn’t see it as too much of a drawback. We also found that when we switched providers, we also needed to wait up to 10 days for a new match and then another week or two for our first session with them.

We surveyed 100 users of Talkiatry:86% rated Talkiatry as very good or excellent overall87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent96% said that most or all of their needs were met at Talkiatry95% are likely or very likely to recommend Talkiatry to a friend or someone like them8% were seeking psychiatry services for their child

We surveyed 100 users of Talkiatry:

Most Comprehensive:Little Otter

Price:$195 for standard therapy session; $500 for general psychiatry evaluation; $250 for follow-up psychiatry sessionsIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Children’s Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More

ProsOffers personalized care to children and teens ages 0 to 14Clients have access to parenting specialistsPsychiatric care and medication management availableCouples therapy available for adultsOngoing, real-time virtual support from your family care teamCan track your progress with clinical assessmentsConsAvailable only in 13 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.Doesn’t assess for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)Can be expensive without insurance coverage

ProsOffers personalized care to children and teens ages 0 to 14Clients have access to parenting specialistsPsychiatric care and medication management availableCouples therapy available for adultsOngoing, real-time virtual support from your family care teamCan track your progress with clinical assessments

Offers personalized care to children and teens ages 0 to 14

Clients have access to parenting specialists

Psychiatric care and medication management available

Couples therapy available for adults

Ongoing, real-time virtual support from your family care team

Can track your progress with clinical assessments

ConsAvailable only in 13 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.Doesn’t assess for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)Can be expensive without insurance coverage

Available only in 13 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

Doesn’t assess for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Can be expensive without insurance coverage

We had four parents and their kids of varying ages from California, Pennsylvania, and New York testLittle Otter’s therapy services (including parental coaching), andour experience was generally positive. Little Otter takes a personalized approach to care and has a unique selection of qualified providers, from board-certified childpsychiatristsand licensed family therapists to parenting specialists. While it is on the more expensive end of the services we tried, we feel the value for the money is worth it; not only did our children receive extremely thorough care, but we felt the extra resources were invaluable.We liked how good the therapists were at building a connection with our kids and getting them to open up (even the ones as young as 10).“Our son had been reluctant to talk to a therapist at first but loved her instantly. Our rapport with her was amazing. Throughout the year, she intermittently invited me to join in sessions—sometimes formally set up in advance, or sometimes in the middle of a session when my son wanted to talk to both of us. I appreciated this a lot."—Little Otter tester, whose son has been with Little Otter for over a yearWe were impressed with how experienced Little Otter’s providers are in the stages of early childhood development, meaning they’re uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat mental health conditions that commonly impact children such as ADHD, aggression, anxiety disorders, and depression, and issues such as tantrums, sleep difficulties, relationship conflicts, and body image issues. We felt that the parental coaching was also helpful in giving us concrete advice on how to adjust our behavior to better support our family and our growing kids. We were also able to message therapists between sessions, which was helpful.While we felt the thorough intake sessions were useful, we can see how some parents (especially those with busy schedules) might find them a bit much. We didn’t appreciate that there was limited availability for them; in some cases, there were no appointments outside when our children were in school, so we had to disrupt their routine to meet that requirement. That said, we felt the intake process helped us match with great therapists who were patient and kind, and who knew just how to draw our children into the conversation.

We had four parents and their kids of varying ages from California, Pennsylvania, and New York testLittle Otter’s therapy services (including parental coaching), andour experience was generally positive. Little Otter takes a personalized approach to care and has a unique selection of qualified providers, from board-certified childpsychiatristsand licensed family therapists to parenting specialists. While it is on the more expensive end of the services we tried, we feel the value for the money is worth it; not only did our children receive extremely thorough care, but we felt the extra resources were invaluable.

We liked how good the therapists were at building a connection with our kids and getting them to open up (even the ones as young as 10).

“Our son had been reluctant to talk to a therapist at first but loved her instantly. Our rapport with her was amazing. Throughout the year, she intermittently invited me to join in sessions—sometimes formally set up in advance, or sometimes in the middle of a session when my son wanted to talk to both of us. I appreciated this a lot."—Little Otter tester, whose son has been with Little Otter for over a year

“Our son had been reluctant to talk to a therapist at first but loved her instantly. Our rapport with her was amazing. Throughout the year, she intermittently invited me to join in sessions—sometimes formally set up in advance, or sometimes in the middle of a session when my son wanted to talk to both of us. I appreciated this a lot.”

—Little Otter tester, whose son has been with Little Otter for over a year

We were impressed with how experienced Little Otter’s providers are in the stages of early childhood development, meaning they’re uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat mental health conditions that commonly impact children such as ADHD, aggression, anxiety disorders, and depression, and issues such as tantrums, sleep difficulties, relationship conflicts, and body image issues. We felt that the parental coaching was also helpful in giving us concrete advice on how to adjust our behavior to better support our family and our growing kids. We were also able to message therapists between sessions, which was helpful.

While we felt the thorough intake sessions were useful, we can see how some parents (especially those with busy schedules) might find them a bit much. We didn’t appreciate that there was limited availability for them; in some cases, there were no appointments outside when our children were in school, so we had to disrupt their routine to meet that requirement. That said, we felt the intake process helped us match with great therapists who were patient and kind, and who knew just how to draw our children into the conversation.

Insurance Accepted:Yes, but only four insurance plans: AmeriHealth, Sana, Independence Blue Cross (in Delaware and Pennsylvania), and Florida Blue. However, the providers will fill out reimbursement forms and accept HSA/FSA.Subscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:$195perstandard therapy session; $390 for a 90-minute assessment; $500 for a 75-minute psychiatry evaluation; $250 per 30-minute psychiatry follow-up. You can also sign up for discounted bundles: $525 for an assessment bundle (90-min assessment and one standard therapy session); $700 for a 4-session bundle, $1,320 for an 8-session bundle, and $1,980 for a 12-session bundle

We surveyed 100 users of Little Otter:86% rated Little Otter as good, very good, or excellent overall86% rated their therapist’s qualifications as good, very good, or excellent96% said that most or all of their needs were met at Little Otter95% are likely or very likely to recommend Little Otter to a friend or someone like them27% were looking for a therapist for their child

We surveyed 100 users of Little Otter:

Best for Ages 10+:Amwell

Price:Up to $99Is Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More

In all the research we did on 80 online therapy companies, we found it challenging to find ones that treat kids as young as 10. It was even harder to find one that also accepts insurance.Amwelldoes both. It has an easy-to-use app, a network of highly qualified care providers, and a wide range of accepted insurance plans. We also love that its out-of-pocket cost per session is below the national average, and couples therapy is available for co-parents who may need some support.

ProsLarge selection of qualified, experienced therapistsAvailable to kids and teens ages 10 to 17Couples therapy is availableUser-friendly website and appCan choose your child’s providerCan hide face on video chat if preferredConsSomewhat expensive without insurance coverageAvailable only in the U.S.No psychiatry and medication management for kids

ProsLarge selection of qualified, experienced therapistsAvailable to kids and teens ages 10 to 17Couples therapy is availableUser-friendly website and appCan choose your child’s providerCan hide face on video chat if preferred

Large selection of qualified, experienced therapists

Available to kids and teens ages 10 to 17

Couples therapy is available

User-friendly website and app

Can choose your child’s provider

Can hide face on video chat if preferred

ConsSomewhat expensive without insurance coverageAvailable only in the U.S.No psychiatry and medication management for kids

Somewhat expensive without insurance coverage

Available only in the U.S.

No psychiatry and medication management for kids

We had six people from across the country (in California, Kentucky, New York, Mississippi, and Missouri) sign up and tryAmwell, including testing the service with our 11-year-old so we could see how Amwell’s children’s therapy compared to its adult and couples counseling. Overall, we felt the therapists were well-qualified, knowledgeable, and adept at engaging with us—even our shy 11-year-old.Amwell works with a wide range of insurance providers. The platform also offers talk therapy to adults, making it a great option if multiple family members are looking for online mental health care. All of Amwell’s therapists are specially trained in online therapy and licensed to practice in their state. We could specifically request a provider with either a master’s degree or a doctorate, which gave us greater freedom of choice over who our child worked with. We could also opt to hide our faces during the video chat, which could help shy or anxious kids feel more comfortable.Our child could attend 45-minute video therapy sessions on the Amwell website or app, either with or without us present (after we gave permission during the first session, of course).One issue that came up during our search, however, was a lack of therapists who treat children in certain areas of the country. For example, we only found one in Kentucky, and his first available appointment wasn’t for two weeks. That said, once our child met with him, it was clear he had ample experience working with young kids, and our child was receptive to him. He asked several questions about what they liked and didn’t like and did his best to keep our child engaged whenever possible to help them open up, which we appreciated.  Additionally, we experienced some technical issues with the platform in a couple of cases, including call drops.

We had six people from across the country (in California, Kentucky, New York, Mississippi, and Missouri) sign up and tryAmwell, including testing the service with our 11-year-old so we could see how Amwell’s children’s therapy compared to its adult and couples counseling. Overall, we felt the therapists were well-qualified, knowledgeable, and adept at engaging with us—even our shy 11-year-old.

Amwell works with a wide range of insurance providers. The platform also offers talk therapy to adults, making it a great option if multiple family members are looking for online mental health care. All of Amwell’s therapists are specially trained in online therapy and licensed to practice in their state. We could specifically request a provider with either a master’s degree or a doctorate, which gave us greater freedom of choice over who our child worked with. We could also opt to hide our faces during the video chat, which could help shy or anxious kids feel more comfortable.

Our child could attend 45-minute video therapy sessions on the Amwell website or app, either with or without us present (after we gave permission during the first session, of course).

One issue that came up during our search, however, was a lack of therapists who treat children in certain areas of the country. For example, we only found one in Kentucky, and his first available appointment wasn’t for two weeks. That said, once our child met with him, it was clear he had ample experience working with young kids, and our child was receptive to him. He asked several questions about what they liked and didn’t like and did his best to keep our child engaged whenever possible to help them open up, which we appreciated.  Additionally, we experienced some technical issues with the platform in a couple of cases, including call drops.

We surveyed 100 users of Amwell:88% rated Amwell as very good or excellent overall93% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent98% said that most or all of their needs were met at Amwell95% are likely or very likely to recommend Amwell to a friend or someone like them11% were looking for a therapist for their child

We surveyed 100 users of Amwell:

Best for Parents:LifeStance Health

Life as a parent can become overwhelming quickly. Whether you have one child or five, whether you have a partner or you’re a single parent, sometimes it can feel like it’s all too much.  But that’s what we liked aboutLifeStance Health: It offers a wide range of services that are well-suited for parents, including individual adult therapy, kids therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy. Plus, some of its providers specialize in providing targeted counseling for parent-child relationships and perinatal and postpartum depression.

ProsOffers individual, couples, and family therapy for adults, teens, and kidsAccepts insuranceWide variety of therapeutic techniques and specialties availableProvider bios available on websitePsychiatry and medication management availableConsPrices not clearly listed on websiteCannot message therapists outside of sessionsNot available in all U.S. states (doesn’t serve 16 states)

ProsOffers individual, couples, and family therapy for adults, teens, and kidsAccepts insuranceWide variety of therapeutic techniques and specialties availableProvider bios available on websitePsychiatry and medication management available

Offers individual, couples, and family therapy for adults, teens, and kids

Wide variety of therapeutic techniques and specialties available

Provider bios available on website

Psychiatry and medication management available

ConsPrices not clearly listed on websiteCannot message therapists outside of sessionsNot available in all U.S. states (doesn’t serve 16 states)

Prices not clearly listed on website

Cannot message therapists outside of sessions

Not available in all U.S. states (doesn’t serve 16 states)

We tried parent counseling, couples counseling, and adult therapy withLifeStance Healthfrom Illinois, Oregon, New York, and Florida, and across the board, we felt that our therapists were compassionate, knowledgeable, willing to listen, and offered sound advice. For example, when we tried couples counseling, we found our therapists facilitated conversations between partners and helped us gain insight into our relationship. We learned how to better show appreciation for each other, too, especially when stressors—like those common in the life of a parent—crop up.

We especially appreciated how many listed conditions seemed to cater directly to parents, families, and kids, includingattachment styles(which can affect both couples and parent-child relationships),childhood trauma, andperinatalandpostpartum depression. Some LifeStance psychologists are trained in child-parent relationship therapy (CPRT), a type ofplay therapyand parental training program aimed at helping children ages three to eight.

We loved that we could choose our own therapists and filter according to factors such as specialty, gender, languages spoken, the ages of the patients they treat, and the insurance plan(s) they accept, just to name a few. That said, it is worth noting that the number of therapists that offer specific therapy—likefamily therapyor teen therapy—does vary quite a bit across different states. As a result, we were forced to work with customer service to find a therapist that met our needs in some states.

We surveyed 100 users of LifeStance Health:77% rated LifeStance Health as very good or excellent overall84% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent95% said that most or all of their needs were met at LifeStance Health89% are likely or very likely to recommend LifeStance Health to a friend or someone like them61% said they were a parent or guardian

We surveyed 100 users of LifeStance Health:

Best Family Therapy:Thriveworks

Even if only one person in a family is living with a mental health disorder, that can impact everyone, so it’s often helpful to get together for family therapy and talk through concerns as a unit.Thriveworksis one of the few online therapy platforms we tested and reviewed that have therapists who specialize in family therapy. The company also provides child and adolescent therapy, couples therapy, psychiatry, and medication management, meaning it can accommodate the many different needs your family might have.

ProsOffers a variety of therapy types, including family therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry and medication managementAccepts insuranceOffers night and weekend sessionsCustomer support available seven days a weekFlexible cancellation policySame- and next-day appointments availableConsNot all services available in every U.S. stateExact prices not clear before signing upNo text-assisted therapy

ProsOffers a variety of therapy types, including family therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry and medication managementAccepts insuranceOffers night and weekend sessionsCustomer support available seven days a weekFlexible cancellation policySame- and next-day appointments available

Offers a variety of therapy types, including family therapy, couples therapy, and psychiatry and medication management

Offers night and weekend sessions

Customer support available seven days a week

Flexible cancellation policy

Same- and next-day appointments available

ConsNot all services available in every U.S. stateExact prices not clear before signing upNo text-assisted therapy

Not all services available in every U.S. state

Exact prices not clear before signing up

No text-assisted therapy

We had five people testThriveworks’ therapy services, including family, child, and individual adult therapy, in four states—Florida, Illinois, Oregon, and New York—and we appreciated how flexible the company aims to be. It’s among one of the most accessible, family-friendly companies we reviewed, offering both online and in-person care with qualified providers in over 340 locations across the U.S. (with over 2,200 mental health professionals). Therapists are available at all times of the day (and week), and the platform accepts most major insurance plans.

We liked being able to choose from a broad selection of licensedmarriage and family therapists, child psychologists, and board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists (some of whom also offer medication management).

We felt like the scheduling process at Thriveworks allows for a great deal of flexibility, which is key for a family with often conflicting schedules. Many providers are available from 7:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET from Monday to Friday, as well as on weekends and certain holidays. We could also cancel or reschedule for free within 48 hours of our scheduled appointment. Additionally, intake sessions are typically 50 to 60 minutes long, allowing for a more in-depth initial assessment, and we loved that they clearly were trying to provide exactly the sort of therapy that would suit our family’s needs best. For example, when we did family therapy with an 11-year-old, the therapist encouraged her to sit with her mother on her bed, since that’s where she felt the most secure; that level of sensitivity was not lost on us.

We surveyed 100 users of Thriveworks:88% rated Thriveworks as very good or excellent overall90% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent96% said that most or all of their needs were met at Thriveworks96% are likely or very likely to recommend Thriveworks to a friend or someone like them16% were looking for family therapy

We surveyed 100 users of Thriveworks:

Best Directory:Alma

Price:Free to useIs Insurance Accepted?:Yes. Some therapists accept insurance but not allType Of Therapy:Children’s Therapy, Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Teen CounselingLearn More

If you already have an idea of what sort of therapist you’d like your child to see, and would rather pick them out yourself rather than have an online therapy service match you, then an online therapist directory might be the best option. What we love about theAlmafree directory is that it offers both options: a personalized therapist matching service as well as the freedom to search the therapist directory on your own. That flexibility will help any parent easily find a therapist who meets their child’s needs. In addition, you can specifically search Alma for “Child and Adolescent Therapy”—which is unusual for most online therapy directories and gives you a much higher chance of finding an appropriate provider for your child.

Free matching support

Can filter for providers based on specialty, including child and adolescent therapy

Most listed providers accept insurance

Lists therapists and psychiatrists/prescribers

Not available in all states

Not a therapy platform

We testedAlma’s website search filters and matching service across 18 ZIP codes, and in one case, we tried scheduling sessions (and paying for them) through Alma’s platform. Overall, we appreciated how intuitive the directory is, and we felt like we could find what we were looking for without much effort.

If you need additional help finding the right provider, you can fill out a short form on the directory website to receive free matching services from the Alma team. After matching up with an Alma therapist, your child’s care plan—including rates, scheduling, and communication processes—will be up to you and the provider.

One thing to note, however, is that, while Alma advertises that it accepts a variety of insurance plans, one of our testers (who checked the website before scheduling a session to make sure her plan was accepted) ended up finding out at the end of her initial consultation that her plan wasn’t accepted after all. Her provider mentioned that this confusion happens all the time, which is concerning.

We surveyed 100 users of Alma:93% rated Alma as very good or excellent overall92% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent97% said that most or all of their needs were met at Alma97% are likely or very likely to recommend Alma to a friend or someone like them12% were looking for a therapist for their child

We surveyed 100 users of Alma:

Hide, not for me

Guide to Choosing Online Therapy for Kids

There are a variety of factors to consider when deciding which online counseling for kids is best. These factors include:

Online kids counseling may be a good fit if you and/or your child have busy schedules, live in a rural area, are looking for more affordable therapy, feel uncomfortable or shy in social settings, or struggle with body image issues. Online therapy is also appropriate for kids who are living with mild to moderate mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Frequently Asked QuestionsOnline therapy for kidsis virtual mental healthcare for children and adolescents, often delivered via live video or audio sessions in a company’s app or on its website. Your child can meet with a licensed mental healthcare provider—such as a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist—on a regularly scheduled basis or as needed. Many online kids' therapists can help with common issues like stress, anxiety, depression, friendship problems, relationship conflicts, family dynamics, and confidence.According to a 2019 review and meta-analysis (a review of other reviews), 60% of controlled trials found that web-based interventions were helpful in treating symptoms ofautism spectrum disorderandADHDamong children and teens.Other studies have found that online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy in treatingdepressionandanxietyamong kids and young people.However, the above research also suggests that text-based therapy should be used cautiously among younger children who may not see as many benefits due to difficulties with typing and fine motor skills.The cost of online therapy for kids varies widely based on your chosen subscription plan, location, insurance coverage, and the specific type of treatment your child needs. For example, a subscription for live video therapy and messaging starts at $99 per week atTalkspace(without insurance), while many companies who do pay-per-session charge more. The prices for psychiatry and medication management are higher. For example, an initial psychiatric evaluation atLittle Ottercosts $500, and each follow-up visit costs $250.Many online therapy platforms are now in-network with major insurance plans. Many platforms accept Medicare, and a few accept Medicaid. Services that offer virtual psychiatric care and medication management are especially likely to accept insurance. Check with your insurance provider before starting treatment if you have any questions about coverage.Typically, if you had to consent to your child’s treatment, you would also have access to their medical records—including therapy notes and assessments. However, laws about medical privacy and informed consent vary from state to state.Talk with your child’s provider directly about how much information they can share with you. Many online therapy platforms also provide parenting guidance and resources so you can learn how best to support your child in their therapy progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online therapy for kidsis virtual mental healthcare for children and adolescents, often delivered via live video or audio sessions in a company’s app or on its website. Your child can meet with a licensed mental healthcare provider—such as a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist—on a regularly scheduled basis or as needed. Many online kids' therapists can help with common issues like stress, anxiety, depression, friendship problems, relationship conflicts, family dynamics, and confidence.

According to a 2019 review and meta-analysis (a review of other reviews), 60% of controlled trials found that web-based interventions were helpful in treating symptoms ofautism spectrum disorderandADHDamong children and teens.Other studies have found that online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy in treatingdepressionandanxietyamong kids and young people.However, the above research also suggests that text-based therapy should be used cautiously among younger children who may not see as many benefits due to difficulties with typing and fine motor skills.

The cost of online therapy for kids varies widely based on your chosen subscription plan, location, insurance coverage, and the specific type of treatment your child needs. For example, a subscription for live video therapy and messaging starts at $99 per week atTalkspace(without insurance), while many companies who do pay-per-session charge more. The prices for psychiatry and medication management are higher. For example, an initial psychiatric evaluation atLittle Ottercosts $500, and each follow-up visit costs $250.

Many online therapy platforms are now in-network with major insurance plans. Many platforms accept Medicare, and a few accept Medicaid. Services that offer virtual psychiatric care and medication management are especially likely to accept insurance. Check with your insurance provider before starting treatment if you have any questions about coverage.

Typically, if you had to consent to your child’s treatment, you would also have access to their medical records—including therapy notes and assessments. However, laws about medical privacy and informed consent vary from state to state.Talk with your child’s provider directly about how much information they can share with you. Many online therapy platforms also provide parenting guidance and resources so you can learn how best to support your child in their therapy progress.

How We Tested and Reviewed Online Therapy Services for Kids

We evaluated 80 onlinetherapy companiesandtherapist directoriesin order to compile this list.

Firsthand Experience

As part of our research, we signed up for talk therapy at all 55 online therapy companies we reviewed. We tested each company’s therapy services, and if the company offered other services (such as couples therapy and kid or teen therapy) we tested those, too. Our testers are located all across the United States and abroad, meaning we have extensive information about each company’s services in a variety of areas.

User and Brand Surveys

In addition, we surveyed more than 8,000 therapy users: 100 at each of the 55 online therapy companies and the 25 therapist directories. We collected over 100 different data points in which we asked users to evaluate each company’s services, from their therapist’s qualifications to whether they found a therapist who met all their needs to how they’d rate the company overall. We also sent questionnaires to each company we considered, asking for their perspectives on the services they provide, and we interviewed former patients and therapists at the companies where possible.

Research

Expert Recommendations

Once we completed this testing and these surveys, we evaluated our findings with the help of three licensed therapists—Amy Marschall, PsyD;Nic Hardy, PhD, LCSW; andHannah Owens, LMSW—in order to make our recommendations. These therapists provided extensive insight into the ethics and efficacy of online therapy as well as information about relevant therapeutic modalities and approaches.

Oliver Rossi / Getty Images

Article SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is children’s mental health?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on children’s mental health.AAMC.org.A growing psychiatrist shortage and an enormous demand for mental health services.OASH Office of Population Affairs.Mental health for adolescents.AACAP.Severe Shortage of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Illustrated in AACAP Workforce Maps.Khan K, Hall CL, Davies EB, Hollis C, Glazebrook C.The effectiveness of web-based interventions delivered to children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(11):e13478. doi:10.2196/13478Ye X, Bapuji SB, Winters SE, et al.Effectiveness of internet-based interventions for children, youth, and young adults with anxiety and/or depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2014;14(1):313. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-14-313American Psychological Association.How should a psychologist handle a parent’s request for a minor’s potentially harmful health records?.

Article Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is children’s mental health?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on children’s mental health.AAMC.org.A growing psychiatrist shortage and an enormous demand for mental health services.OASH Office of Population Affairs.Mental health for adolescents.AACAP.Severe Shortage of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Illustrated in AACAP Workforce Maps.Khan K, Hall CL, Davies EB, Hollis C, Glazebrook C.The effectiveness of web-based interventions delivered to children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(11):e13478. doi:10.2196/13478Ye X, Bapuji SB, Winters SE, et al.Effectiveness of internet-based interventions for children, youth, and young adults with anxiety and/or depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2014;14(1):313. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-14-313American Psychological Association.How should a psychologist handle a parent’s request for a minor’s potentially harmful health records?.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is children’s mental health?.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on children’s mental health.AAMC.org.A growing psychiatrist shortage and an enormous demand for mental health services.OASH Office of Population Affairs.Mental health for adolescents.AACAP.Severe Shortage of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Illustrated in AACAP Workforce Maps.Khan K, Hall CL, Davies EB, Hollis C, Glazebrook C.The effectiveness of web-based interventions delivered to children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(11):e13478. doi:10.2196/13478Ye X, Bapuji SB, Winters SE, et al.Effectiveness of internet-based interventions for children, youth, and young adults with anxiety and/or depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2014;14(1):313. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-14-313American Psychological Association.How should a psychologist handle a parent’s request for a minor’s potentially harmful health records?.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is children’s mental health?.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Data and statistics on children’s mental health.

AAMC.org.A growing psychiatrist shortage and an enormous demand for mental health services.

OASH Office of Population Affairs.Mental health for adolescents.

AACAP.Severe Shortage of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Illustrated in AACAP Workforce Maps.

Khan K, Hall CL, Davies EB, Hollis C, Glazebrook C.The effectiveness of web-based interventions delivered to children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis.J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(11):e13478. doi:10.2196/13478

Ye X, Bapuji SB, Winters SE, et al.Effectiveness of internet-based interventions for children, youth, and young adults with anxiety and/or depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Health Serv Res. 2014;14(1):313. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-14-313

American Psychological Association.How should a psychologist handle a parent’s request for a minor’s potentially harmful health records?.

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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