After dedicating hundreds of hours to evaluating online therapy for teens, we compiled a list of the top 10 options. Each of these selected services excel at helping teens deal with issues such as bullying, body image, and more. There are options that provide flexible scheduling, insurance acceptance, medication management, text-based therapy, and more.
Our Picks
- Best Overall - Teen Counseling | Read review
- Best For Texting/Messaging - Talkspace | Read review
- Best With Insurance - Bend Health | Read review
- Best For Medication Management - Brightline | Read review
- Best For Pre-Teens (10-14) - Little Otter | Read review
- Best For Young Adults (18-24) - Joon Care | Read review
- Best For In-Person & Online Therapy - Thriveworks | Read review
- Best For Weekend & Evening Appointments - Synergy eTherapy | Read review
- Best For Parent Support Programs - Manatee | Read review
- Best For Intensive Outpatient Therapy - Charlie Health | Read review
At a Glance
-
Weekly 30-minute therapy sessions -
Available in all 50 US states
-
No insurance is accepted -
Ultimate cost depends on location
-
Three plans to choose from -
Many insurance plans accepted
-
No medication management -
Cost not available until signup
-
Available in all 50 US States -
Coaching, Therapy, & Psychiatry
-
Cash-pay can be high -
Can't choose therapist/coach
-
Coaching, therapy, & psychiatry -
Available nationwide
-
Limited insurance plans accepted -
Cash-pay can be pricey
-
No subscription (pay per service) -
Therapy/Psychiatry & ADHD care
-
Only available in six states -
Limited insurance acceptance
-
Free 15-minute consultation -
50-minute therapy sessions
-
Only available in select states -
No medication management
-
Therapy & Psychiatry in most states -
Accepts several insurance plans
-
Treatment/cost provider-specific -
Limited in-person locations
-
Evening/weekend appts. available -
Psychiatry in some areas
-
Costs are therapist-specific -
Small pool of providers to choose
-
Insurance accepted in some states -
Parent coaching available
-
Only available in some states -
No medication management
-
Fully virtual IOP program -
Group & family therapy too
-
Cash-pay cost unclear -
Only available in some states
Why Trust Us
300+
Companies Reviewed
2,350+
Hours of Testing
1,150+
Data Points AnalyzedChoosing Therapy’s reviews are fair, honest, thorough and based on firsthand experience. To date, we’ve reviewed mental health solutions offered by more than 300 companies. That has involved more than 2,350 hours of firsthand use and consideration of over 1,150 data points. Our editorial policies outline a rigorous review process, but they all boil down to this: produce reviews that our own friends and family can rely on. Learn more here.
Detailed Review of Teen Therapy Platforms
- Insurance Accepted? No
- Age Limitations: 13-19
Teen Counseling is a subscription-based online therapy platform for teens 13-19 years old across the US. The 30-minute weekly sessions are ideal for teens who are new to therapy or to those restarting therapy.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Available in all 50 US states
- Attend weekly 30-minute sessions
- Chatroom with therapist
Cons - No insurance is accepted
- Costs depend on location
- Teen must have parent//guardian consent
Cost
Teen Counseling costs start at $260-$360 billed monthly (advertised as $65-$90 weekly) with the exact costs depending on your location and therapist availability. To learn more about costs and what out-of-network benefits you can use, please read our in-depth review of Teen Counseling.
Overview
With Teen Counseling, teens can attend weekly video, phone, or live texting sessions, plus have access to messaging with their therapist between live sessions. Additionally, teens can create their own account, but they will ultimately need a parent or guardian to complete the payment process and sign consent forms. After a quick questionnaire, Teen Counseling will match your teen with a therapist. If they’re unhappy with their match, they can easily change therapists in the app.
An interesting feature of Teen Counseling is that you and your teen both have personal chat rooms to text with your teen’s therapist at any time. A guardian’s chat room functions as a means for your teen’s therapist to send you check-ins and updates, even though they are primarily there to support your teen.
Whatever your teen shares in their chat room will remain between them and the therapist and vice versa. The only time anything is shared is if your teen expressed harming themselves or others, or mentioned any abuse or situations of neglect.
- Insurance Accepted? Yes
- Age Limitations: 13-17
Talkspace for Teens is a subscription-based online therapy platform for adolescents 13 years to 17 years older. The option to text with a therapist anytime is a great perk for teens who may not feel comfortable talking on video calls. Additionally, caregivers may like the flexibility Talkspace For Teens offers in upgrading/downgrading subscription plans.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Three subscription options
- Available for ages 13-17
- Accepts major insurance plans
Cons - Caregivers must sgive consent
- No medication management
- Cost not available until after signup
Cost
Talkspace costs ultimately depend on your geographic location and therapist availability. There are three subscription packages: the messaging-only package starts at $69 per week, the live therapy package starts at $99 per week, and the messaging + live therapy package starts at $129 per week.
To learn more about what exactly the subscription plans offer, you can read our detailed review of Talkspace.
Overview
Talkspace for Teens is a subscription-based online therapy platform for adolescents 13 years to 17 years older. It has three subscription options with costs ranging from $276 – $436 monthly (advertised as $69 – $109 weekly). Talkspace accepts major insurance plans and earned 4 out of 5 stars during our independent review of its individual (18+) online therapy services.
While your teen can sign up for their own account, a caregiver will be required to sign consent forms prior to any therapy sessions. After completing an initial assessment, teens go through a matching process with a live agent. This process happens in a secure chat room where they can share preferences, needs, and symptoms with the agent. Prior to seeing the three hand-selected matches, caregivers must pay for one of the three subscription plans.
Much like Teen Counseling, the option to text with a therapist anytime is a great perk for teens who may not feel comfortable talking on video calls. Additionally, caregivers may like the flexibility Talkspace for Teens offers in upgrading/downgrading subscription plans. If your teen finds they need more support, their subscription can be upgraded to include live therapy sessions. Likewise, if your teen finds they are doing better and wants less support, their subscription can be downgraded to the messaging-only plan.
- Insurance Accepted? Yes
- Age Limitations: 6-17
Bend Health embraces a philosophy of “Whole-Person, Whole-Family” and they believe that if one person in your family is struggling with their mental health, it can affect the whole family. They work with several major insurance providers and partners with select in-person hospitals. Referrals from a child’s primary care provider to Bend Health gives them quicker access to treatment.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Available in all 50 US States
- Accepts most insurance plans
- Coaching, Therapy, & Med Management
Cons - Out-of-pocket costs can be high
- Age cut off is 17 years old
- No option to self-select coaches
Cost
Bend Health costs $199.99 monthly for coaching, $399.99 monthly for coaching + therapy, and $549.99 monthly for coaching + therapy + medications. If your teen’s primary care doctor refers you to Bend Health, the cost for care may be covered by insurance.
Bend Health therapy subscriptions are:
- Coaching: For $199.99 monthly you receive a comprehensive care plan, one-on-one live 30-minute video coaching sessions, unlimited messaging, parent-skills training, real-time video updates about your teen, and the option to upgrade if needed.
- Coaching & Therapy: For $399.99 monthly you receive a comprehensive care plan, one-on-one live 30-minute video coaching and therapy sessions, unlimited messaging, parent-skills training, real-time video updates about your teen, and the option to upgrade if needed.
- Coaching, Therapy & Medications: For $549.99 monthly you receive everything in the coaching & therapy plan plus an initial evaluation by a psychiatrist, 15-minute follow-up appointments and medication if needed
Bend Health also accepts FSA/HSA cards to pay for therapy.
Overview
Bend Health is a subscription-based online therapy platform in all 50 US states that allows kids and teens (1-17 years old) to attend live, 30-minute video sessions with a care team that consists of a mental health coach and licensed therapist.
Caregivers and their teens complete an initial assessment together to discuss any symptoms that need to be addressed in the individualized care plan. You will then meet with a customer care representative who will help match you with a coach, therapist, and medication provider if needed.
As mentioned in our review of Bend Health, they have now started offering neuropsychological evaluations to help measure attention/concentration, executive functioning, mood and personality, depression, and more. These evaluations can help your doctors diagnose your child or teen and give them the support and skills they need.
- Insurance Accepted? Yes
- Age Limitations: 6-17
Brightline is an online mental health care platform available nationwide that offers online therapy and psychiatry to children 6-17 across the US. They provide behavioral health, coaching, medication support, and on-demand learning resources. Children must be enrolled in therapy services to receive medication management services.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Coaching, therapy, & med management available
- Services available nationwide
- Insurance is accepted
Cons - Out-of-pocket costs can be high
- No in-person services available
Cost
Brightline costs $270 for a 60 – 90 minute initial evaluation, with its other services ranging in cost from $70 – $225 per session. Brightline Health also has self-guided resources and interactive exercises to manage day-to-day challenges available for free.
For more detailed information about costs and what insurance plans are accepted, please read our comprehensive review of Brightline Mental Health.
Overview
Brightline is an online mental health care platform available nationwide that focuses on supporting kids, teens, and their families. Brightline Health provides behavioral health, coaching, medication support, and on-demand learning resources.
The treatment length for behavioral therapy depends on the level of need and severity of symptoms. Behavioral therapy and medication support are provided to children ages 6-17, but therapy can begin with children as young as 18 months. Brightline Coaching programs are tailored to specific topics relevant to the age of the child, therefore for younger children aged 3-5, the coaching is more directed toward parents and caregivers.
Note: Your child or teen will need to be enrolled in behavioral therapy to be eligible for medication management.
- Insurance Accepted? Yes, limited
- Age Limitations: 0-14
Little Otter is an online therapy platform dedicated to younger children (0 – 14 years old) that offers live, 45-minute video sessions with a licensed therapist. They also provide ADHD treatment.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Pediatric mental health services
- Therapy, med management, & ADHD treatment available
- No monthly subscriptions; pay for what you need
Cons - Available in only six states: CA, CO, FL, NC, TX, & VA
- Accepts limited insurance
- Out-of-pocket costs can be high
Cost
Little Otter costs $20 for a 30-minute “Kickoff Session” and $200 per 45-minute live therapy session.
Bundles offered by Little Otter include:
- Assessment Bundle: $540 for a 90-minute assessment and one therapy session. This is a 10% discount ($20 savings)
- 12 Session Bundle: $2040 for 12 45-minute therapy sessions. This is a 15% discount ($30 savings).
Little Otter psychiatry costs $500 for a 60-minute initial evaluation and $250 per 30-minute follow-up appointment.
There is a specialized ADHD service with a pay-per-service plan or a subscription plan.
Little Otter’s ADHD plans include:
- Pay-Per-Service: One-time $500 payment, includes an initial, 75-minute session, evaluation of your family’s information, a DSM-5 level diagnosis, and $250 follow-up appointments.
- Subscription/Bundle Plan: $500 for the first month, which includes an initial, 75-minute session, evaluation of your family’s information, a DSM-5 level diagnosis, and a care plan. Follow-up appointments are 30 minutes long and cost $225 monthly.
- ADHD Parent Management: Costs $1,360 for a bundle that includes eight 45-minute long parent specialist sessions.
All services with Little Otter are FSA/HSA eligible.
Overview
Little Otter was founded by Dr. Helen Egger, a world-renowned child psychiatrist, and her daughter, Rebecca Egger. Dr. Helen’s daughter, Rebecca, is well known for founding, building, and leading the infectious disease program with the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative.
According to Meg Spenchian, a PR team member for Little Otter, Dr. Helen, “Has been a leader in the field of child mental health for more than 30 years. She is a child psychiatrist (MD), early childhood mental health expert, digital health expert, and prolific scientist – and a mother of four. Translating her decades of research, Dr. Helen has developed proprietary assessments of the common emotions and behaviors of early childhood and of family stresses. With these assessments, she developed the Little Otter care model and personalized care plans that adapt to the needs of your children and family.”4
- Insurance Accepted? Yes, limited
- Age Limitations: 13-24
Joon Care specializes in providing online mental health care for teens and young adults, ages 13-24. They are actually one of the only platform for kids and teens that also treats young adults. There is a beneficial subscription plan that offers two 60-minute therapy sessions weekly.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Available for teens & young adults
- Free 15-minute consultation
- 50-minute therapy sessions
- 16-week treatment plans
Cons - Services only in CA, OR, PA, TX, and WA
- Can't choose a therapist
- No medication management
- Limited insurance acceptance
Cost
Joon Care costs $500 – $1,110 monthly depending on which subscription you choose. To get started, Joon Care offers a free 15-minute consultation, which is then followed by a $150 intake appointment where you will be matched with a therapist. Treatment with Joon Care lasts approximately 16 weeks and has a subscription option for existing clients.
To learn all about what subscriptions are available, please read our detailed review of Joon Care.
Overview
Joon Care specializes in providing online mental health care for teens and young adults, ages 13-24 in California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
Therapists with Joon can help teens with social anxiety as well as help manage general anxiety, body image, disordered eating, depression, gender/sexual identity, and more. Treatment plans with Joon Care are developed with your therapist and are estimated to last approximately 16-weeks. In addition to 50-minute therapy sessions, the Joon Care mobile app, available on Apple, provides resources therapists recommend for use between sessions. Therapists send skills and techniques to practice in the app.
Amy Mezulis, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer with Joon, shared, “Joon Care’s effectiveness rates meet or exceed industry standards for outpatient therapy for adolescent depression and anxiety.” She also explained that, “All of our therapists are experts in teen mental health and we have created in-app content and activities for our clients to continue the learning process between sessions. Teens and young adults are a unique population and we have tailored our approach to provide the highest quality of care for this audience.”
- Insurance Accepted? Yes
- Age Limitations: 13+
Thriveworks is a mental health platform that offers therapy and medication management services. It allows caregivers and their teens to select their own therapist and find one that accepts in-person therapy clients, online therapy clients, or a combination of both.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Online therapy & psychiatry in most states
- Choose a provider with your teen
- In-person services are available in select cities
- Accepts several major insurance plans
Cons - Not all providers treat kids/teens
- Per session rates vary
Cost
Thriveworks costs $99 – $199 for a 60-minute therapy session. Thriveworks offers psychiatric care for teens 14-18 years old, but only in select states and at select locations. Thriveworks psychiatry services cost $99 – $349, initial psychiatry sessions are 60 minutes and follow-up appointments are 30-minutes long. All costs ultimately depend on your location and your provider.
To learn even more about costs and what insurance is accepted, you can read our comprehensive review of Thriveworks.
Overview
Thriveworks is an interesting and unique therapy platform. They are a franchise therapy company available across 40 states that can offer online and in-person therapy sessions.
Caregivers can sign up their child or teen for therapy and fill out any consent forms needed. A great perk with Thriveworks is that you and your teen can choose a therapist from their therapist directory. The directory allows you to filter by age, gender, and specialties like anxiety, childhood ADHD, and more. How often your teen needs to see their therapist will be determined by all of you, together; treatment plans with Thriveworks are highly individualized.
All services that Thriveworks offers are available online, however, some services may not be available at in-person locations. Each physical location of Thriveworks will offer different services, accept different insurance plans, and may not be conveniently located to you. However, whatever way you choose to attend sessions and appointments, you will be able to choose your own provider from the Thriveworks online directory.
Thriveworks does offer psychiatry with medication management. Initial psychiatry appointments are 60 minutes long with follow-up appointments being 30 minutes. Only select providers can treat those under 18 years old and will be clearly listed on the provider’s profile page.
- Insurance Accepted? Yes
- Age Limitations: 9+
Synergy eTherapy is an online therapy platform that can offer kids and teens (9 – 18 years old) 50-minute live video or phone sessions with a licensed therapist. They have therapists with a wide range of evening and weekend appointments available. This makes it ideal for teens who do not want to miss school, social events, or sporting events.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Choose a therapist with your teen
- Evening & weekend appts.
- Psychiatry may be available
Cons - Small provider pool vs. competitors
- Psychiatry may be referred out
Cost
Synergy eTherapy costs range from $100 – $200 per session ($400 – $800 monthly if attending weekly sessions), with exact costs depending on the therapist, their degree, and their location. Typically, sessions are around 50 minutes, with some therapists offering 30 or 60-minute sessions.
You also have the option to use your HSA/FSA card to pay for the cost of your therapy sessions.
Overview
With Synergy, you can expect to sign your teen up for care, select a therapist together, and attend the first therapy session with them. During the first session, you, your teen, and their therapist will discuss a treatment plan, which will include how involved parents need to be, how often the child needs to be seen, and if any psychiatric referrals are recommended. Synergy can give referrals to the psychiatry groups they partner with if your teen is in need of medication management.
Synergy eTherapy has been offering online therapy since 2013 to adults, kids, teens, couples, and families. When we spoke with Dr. Lisa Lovelace, founder of Synergy eTherapy, she shared, “I was one of the first fully remote online group practice owners to open Synergy eTherapy! We have an incredible team, vetted and known therapists who are dedicated to helping their communities thrive. Our excellent licensed therapists plan therapy around YOUR busy life! Our personalized care fits into your schedule. We collaborate with caregivers to ensure the skills learned in session are translated to their everyday lives.”6
Many of the therapists on Synergy have evening and weekend appointments available, which is really great if your teen is involved in extracurricular activities. While Synergy does not have the largest therapist pool, therapist bios for each provider are very detailed, with many featuring introduction videos. A really awesome feature of Synergy is their free consultation call with the therapist you choose. This allows you to ask any lingering questions you may have and if you don’t feel it’s a great fit, you can try someone else!
In talking with the founder of Synergy, Dr. Lisa Lovelace, we found the company to have a rigorous and through vetting process of its therapists. The company seems to be built around making therapy accesible around your personal schedules.
- Insurance Accepted? Yes
- Age Limitations: 0 – 18
Manatee is a smaller platform, only available in five states, but they run a phenomenal pediatric program and parent support program. They are one of few platforms that offer parent support programs in addition to pediatric mental health care services. Parent support is crucial for those who have children with high-level mental health needs.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Kid- & parent-centered
- Insurance accepted in some states
- Parent coaching available nationwide
Cons - Therapy only available in CA, CO, FL, ID, NJ, & PA
- No discounts or bundles available
- No medication management
Cost
Manatee Health costs $175 for a 60-minute initial intake, $135 for 30-minute therapy sessions, with parent coaching and parent groups costing $99. Select insurance plans are accepted in certain states, which could make the costs lower.
For even more details about what is included in costs and which insurance plans are accepted, please read our in-depth review of Manatee Health.
Overview
Manatee Health is an online mental health platform geared toward kids and families. They offer therapy in select states and parent coaching services nationwide. Additionally, Manatee Health has an app called Manatee Village that is available for free and offers journaling, learning lessons and activities for the whole family.
Parents are highly involved in the therapy process, Damayanti Dipayana, CEO of Manatee, explains. “We recognize that parenting is hard, and parents need support. Most of us [at Manatee] are parents, too. It’s designed for us, by us and we really work together with our clinicians to make sure we draw from the evidence and research to make [learning] tactical. Parents don’t need a PDF, they just [want to know] what do I say when my kid freaks out?”7
Manatee currently offers therapy in California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The company plans to expand its therapy services to Ohio, Illinois, Washington, Wisconsin, Kansas, and New York.
Manatee is the only online therapy platform for teens that also has a separate resource and programming option for parents. Other companies, like Brightline and Bend Health, do offer parent coaching, but Manatee offers more than coaching. Manatee also offers parent groups which is a great way to connect with other parents dealing with similar situations. If you’re a parent who needs additional support and resources in one of the states Manatee serves, they are definitely worth checking out.
- Insurance Accepted? Yes
- Age Limitations: 12 – 28 years
Charlie Health is one of the only intensive outpatient therapy programs geared towards teens and young adults. This highly specialized program helps those who need next level care but are unable to find care in-person. They work with many of the nation’s largest insurance providers and encourage all uninsured families to talk with them directly for out-of-pocket costs.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Fully virtual IOP program
- Therapy, group therapy, & family therapy
- Medication management available
Cons - No clear out-of-pocket costs
- Only in: AZ, CA, DE, ID, IL, MT, OR, PA, TX, UT, WA, WY, & NJ
Cost
Charlie Health costs depend on your insurance as Charlie Health is partnered with many large insurance providers in the states that offer care. Out-of-pocket costs will depend on the family and those interested in paying cash should connect with a care manager.
Charlie Health’s IOP Group Therapy program includes:
- Group Therapy Sessions: three hours long, three days a week
- Family Therapy: one to two hours long, once a week
- Individual Therapy: one hour, once a week
Psychiatric care and medication management is included in the IOP program if needed.
Charlie Health encourages everyone who needs this care to reach out to them, even if they are uninsured. They will work diligently to find solutions to cost barriers that may exist for teens, young adults, and their families.
Overview
Charlie Health is an intensive outpatient (IOP) online group therapy platform for teens and young adults ages 12-28 years old. The IOP program lasts 6-10 weeks long and includes group therapy sessions, family therapy sessions, and individual therapy sessions.
Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign them up for care with Charlie Health (their admissions line is open 24/7). During the initial intake call, there is an extensive assessment done with the patient and their family. After the assessment, the last 10-15 minutes of the call is solely focused on the patient. 24-48 hours after the intake call, Charlie Health will run your insurance, assess the patient for compatibility with the program, and produce a personalized care plan.
Charlie Health matches patients with a primary therapist and a care manager. Online group therapy sessions are led by other therapists on the platform. Patients will also be matched in peer groups with others who are of similar age and mental health needs. In addition to group therapy sessions, 1-2 hours of family therapy and one hour of individual therapy happens each week.
When asked what makes Charlie Health so special, Carter Barnhart, CEO and Co-Founder of Charlie Health, told us, “I know firsthand what it’s like to need mental healthcare but not know where to start or who to turn to. We created Charlie Health in 2020 as the answer for when young people and families in acute mental health crises don’t know where to turn – when emergency rooms are full, waitlists are too long, and other therapy options are too expensive.”8 There is no other online therapy platform on our list that offers what Charlie Health can to teens and young adults struggling with more severe mental health issues.
Compare the Best Online Therapy Services for Teens
| Age Limitations | 13-19 | 13-18 | 6-17 | 6-17 | 0-14 | 13-24 | 13+ | 9+ | 0-18 | 12-28 |
| Costs | $260 - $360 | $276 - $436 monthly | $199.99 - $549.99 | $70 - $270 per service | $200 - $500 per service | $500 - $1,100 monthly | $99 - $199, depends on location | $100 - $200, depends on provider | $99 - $175 per service | Insurance Only |
| Accepts Insurance |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Service Area | All US States | All US States | All US States | All US States | 6 US States | 5 US States | 40+ US States | 30+ US States | 7 US States | 13 US States |
| Extra Features |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Medication Management |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Parent Resources |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Age Limitations | |||||||||
| 13-19 | 13-18 | 6-17 | 6-17 | 0-14 | 13-24 | 13+ | 9+ | 0-18 | 12-28 |
| Costs | |||||||||
| $260 - $360 | $276 - $436 monthly | $199.99 - $549.99 | $70 - $270 per service | $200 - $500 per service | $500 - $1,100 monthly | $99 - $199, depends on location | $100 - $200, depends on provider | $99 - $175 per service | Insurance Only |
| Accepts Insurance | |||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Service Area | |||||||||
| All US States | All US States | All US States | All US States | 6 US States | 5 US States | 40+ US States | 30+ US States | 7 US States | 13 US States |
| Extra Features | |||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Medication Management | |||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Parent Resources | |||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Final Verdict
With so many truly amazing online therapy options for teens, choosing one can be difficult. Some of the most important factors to consider before selecting a company are your budget, who takes your insurance, which ones can answer your questions, and most importantly, who your teen likes the best.
Supporting and listening to your teen is crucial for a successful therapy experience. Hopefully, armed with this comprehensive list, you will better understand which platform is the right fit for you and your family.
More Online Therapy Options for Teens to Explore
The list below includes four online therapy options for teens with limited state availability. These options are definitely worthy of looking into, especially if you live in the state services are offered.
Price: $130 - $350 per service
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Age Limitations: 6-21
Learn MoreShow less
Healthy Young Minds is an online behavioral therapy platform for kids, teens, and young adults up to age 21. They have a wide range of offerings like art therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, autism/ADHD testing, and counseling available. Behavioral therapy with Health Young Minds costs $350 for an initial intake and $130 for all subsequent sessions. Counseling with Health Young Minds costs $250 for an initial intake and $130 for all subsequent sessions.
Currently, Healthy Young Minds accepts insurance and is available in the following states: FL, TX, NY, CO, MI, PA, NC, OH, CA. Healthy Young Minds also accepts Medicaid in Colorado, Florida, and Texas.
Price: $20 - $140, depends on therapist
Insurance Accepted? Yes, limited
Age Limitations: Depends on therapist
Learn MoreShow less
Mindfully, formerly Resolv Health, is an online therapy platform that allows teens and young adults to attend weekly, 60-minute live video, phone, or text messaging sessions. Mindfully therapy sessions cost $20-$140 (lower prices are with professionals who are still in training, under supervision with licensed therapists, but not licensed yet themselves). Specific costs depend on the therapist, their level of experience and training.
Mindfully is most well known for its peer support groups. These are six-week programs with certified mental health professionals that cost $79.96 monthly (advertised at $19.99 weekly). According to Lydia Henshaw, founder and CEO of Resolv Health (now Mindfully), “In traditional treatment models, clients frequently must travel across town to different practices, sign information release forms, and coordinate care with multiple providers. With Mindfully, therapists, psychiatrists, and Certified Peer Support Specialists (who have their own experience overcoming a mental health condition as a teenager!) all work together to ensure teens get the care they need – all in one place.”9
Mindfully therapy is currently available in Ohio, Colorado, Texas, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Price: $350 - $990 per service
Insurance Accepted? Yes
Age Limitations: 10-19
Learn MoreShow less
Daybreak Health is a subscription-based online therapy platform for teens (10 – 19 years old) that offers 12-week therapy programs with a licensed therapist. These programs include a personalized treatment plan, 50-minute live therapy sessions, and a parent dashboard for caregivers to track progress.
You can choose to pay $440 monthly or $990 upfront for the full 10-weeks. There is a medication plan for $350 that includes a 75-minute initial assessment and medication. When we reached out to ask about which states they were available in, customer service told us California.
How We Choose the Best Online Therapy Services for Teens
We know how vitally important it is to find a professional to trust with your teen’s mental health and wellness. It is equally important that you find a therapist your teen will be comfortable with and feel safe talking to on a regular basis. Accessing online therapy for your teen can be a convenient way to have your family’s needs met, and many online therapy options accept insurance.
Choosing Therapy looked at several key factors to determine the numerical ranking of companies featured on this list. Each company was thoroughly researched by our Senior Mental Health Technology Editor and online therapy services expert, Caitlin Bell, who spent numerous hours communicating with the Growth Managers, CEOs, and PR professionals from listed companies, gaining insight into their services, costs, and accessibility.
The top three criteria that determine company rankings are:
- Geographic coverage: Companies that provide services nationally ranked higher than those that serve fewer US states.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Cost should be reflective of the services a company offers. Companies that maximize services while maintaining reasonable costs are ranked higher than those whose costs outweigh their offerings.
- Is insurance accepted?: Companies that accept multiple insurances as a method of payment for services will rank higher than those who accept fewer, or who do not accept insurance as payment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Therapy for Teens
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Online Therapy for Teens?
Online therapy offers teens and their families a way to connect with a licensed therapist or counselor that can work around their school and work schedules. Live video sessions are the most common way to talk with a therapist, and they are the most similar to in-person therapy sessions.
Online therapists can provide teens with similar styles of treatments that they would receive if they went to in-person therapy, and you should be able to see the benefits of therapy within a couple of months. Several of the teen therapy options on this list also offer psychiatric services if needed.
How to Tell If Your Teen Is Benefiting From Therapy
There are many factors to consider when trying to determine if therapy is helping your teen. A strong, trustworthy relationship between your child and their therapist is a healthy thing to look out for. If your teen is open and relaxed while engaged in sessions, chances are that progress is being made at a steady pace.
Here are some potential signs that your teen is benefiting from therapy:
- Applying coping skills
- Improved mood
- Better stress management and anger management
- Increased school participation and attendance
How to Find a Great Therapist for Your Teen
There are numerous factors to consider when choosing a therapist for your teen, including a provider’s approach, credentials, personality, and the type of services offered.
Five factors to consider when choosing a therapist for your teen include:
- Experience Working With Teens
- Proper Credentials
- Therapeutic Approach
- Personality Fit With Your Teen
- Location
How to Support Your Teen After Their Therapy Session
Supporting your teen after therapy will ultimately depend on their individual preferences and the circumstances behind their need for therapy. It is important that you respect their boundaries. If your teen likes to keep to themselves, you may want to give them their space but make it clear that you are open to listening to them if and when they are ready to do so.
Being supportive of their process and considering going to therapy for your own well-being are also really great ways to support your teen as they attend therapy. Parenting is hard in general, and parenting teens can be most challenging, but therapy can make a big difference for everyone.
Is Online Therapy HIPAA Compliant and Safe for Teens?
Yes, when you speak with a therapist either through video, phone, or text message, it is covered by HIPAA laws. Caregivers will most typically have to sign consent forms prior to their teen receiving any therapy services.
Some online therapy platforms will have you sign a HIPAA form, while others state their HIPAA compliance methods in their Terms of Service or Privacy Policies. All of the online therapy platforms on our list have their Terms of Services or Privacy Policies linked at the bottom of their main web pages.
Does Insurance Cover Online Therapy for My Teen?
The use of insurance for mental health costs depends on several factors. Not all online therapy platforms accept insurance, and the ones that do may only work with select insurance providers. In fact, the coverage provided for mental health visits by your insurance will vary depending on which plan you have elected to sign up for. Some health insurance plans will have larger copays and deductibles, as well as limit name brand medication and therapy visits.
Can I Use My HSA/FSA Card for Online Teen Therapy?
The use of FSA or HSA cards to pay for the cost of therapy depends on which online therapy platform you choose. A large majority of those on our list above do accept FSA/HSA cards to pay for therapy, and they can also provide you with superbills to submit to your insurance.
Will Information be Shared with Guardians?
Generally, whatever your teen talks about in therapy sessions will remain between them and their therapist. The exception to this is if your teen mentions harming themselves or others, or if they express any abusive situations. Many of the therapy platforms on this list want parents heavily involved in a teen’s therapy process, and you can usually expect monthly check-ins with your teen’s therapist.
Can Teens Sign Up for Therapy Without Guardian Consent?
As a general rule, no, teens cannot sign up for therapy or psychiatric care without caregivers’ consent. There are a few exceptions to this, depending on the state you live in, but it is safe to assume you will need to sign your teen up for any mental health care.
