Teletherapy has been available for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought the use of telehealth services to new levels. Today, accessing doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals online is easier than ever. But is it the right option for you and your family?
When deciding between teen teletherapy and in-person sessions, there are a few key factors to consider. At Liz Morrison Therapy, we offer online therapy for teens in New York, as well as family therapy, to support adolescents and families in addressing mental health issues and building healthy, loving relationships. We always want to ensure you have the best possible experience, so here are some things to think about before you decide on a therapist.
Online Therapy for Teens vs. In-Person: Pros and Cons
You naturally want what’s best for your family. So how can you be sure whether online therapy is right for your teen? Think about your family's specific needs, such as convenience, comfort with technology, and the level of connection your child feels during virtual sessions. It’s important to weigh the benefits of flexibility and accessibility against the potential challenges, like the lack of face-to-face interaction.
Below, we’ve broken it down for you in a pros and cons list.
Cons of Online Therapy for Teens
Lack of In-Person Interaction: Teens may miss the personal connection and body language cues that accompany face-to-face meetings. Virtual appointments still contain visual cues and body language, but there are obvious limitations.
Distractions: If there isn’t a place for your teen to have quiet and privacy for the duration of an online session, they may have more difficulty focusing. Will they be able to attend online therapy without distractions (other family members, phones, etc) present?
Not Suitable for All Issues: Teens who are dealing with severe mental health conditions benefit more from in-person therapy where the therapist can better intervene if needed.
If your teen is exhibiting signs of self-harm behaviors or is in severe crisis, online therapy is likely not appropriate until they can get stabilized. Examples of a crisis include:
Recent attempts at suicide, violence, or self-harm
Exhibiting extreme mental health distress or symptoms
Severe inability to function
At risk for self-harm behaviors such as suicide, cutting, or substance abuse
Has recently been admitted to a psychiatric hospital or will be admitted to one soon
If your child is in active crisis, take them to the nearest ER as soon as possible, or call 988, the suicide and crisis hotline, for help.
Pros of Online Therapy for Teens
Convenience: Between school, work, and extracurriculars, traveling to and from appointments can add extra stress for everyone. Teens can attend virtual therapy sessions from home, reducing the need for transportation and making it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules.
Accessibility: Therapy is only as good as the relationship between therapist and client. It can be difficult to find a good-fit counselor close to home. Online therapy removes geographic barriers, making it easier to find specialized therapists who may not be available locally.
Comfort: Being in a familiar home environment can help teens feel more at ease and open up during therapy sessions.
Privacy: Teens may appreciate the discretion of attending therapy from home. Avoiding the potential stigma of visiting a therapist’s office.
Flexibility: Online therapy often offers more flexible scheduling options. Which can be beneficial for teens balancing school, social lives, and home and extracurricular activities.
Overall, the answer to the question of whether online therapy is right for your teen is: that it depends. Everyone is different, and finding the right approach depends on someone’s personality, comfort level, scope, and severity of the issues they’re navigating.
What Issues Can Teens Effectively Address Through Online Therapy for Teens?
Online therapy, while not right for everyone, can be extremely beneficial in helping teens address many distressing mental health issues. We’ve seen online teen counseling work for hundreds of our clients and their families. Here are some of the situations we can help your teen navigate:
Identity exploration, shifts, and concerns
Academic difficulties, such as pressure to succeed, student burnout, and pre-college stress
Life transitions
Grief
Eating disorders and body changes
Struggles with loneliness, anger, or other big emotions
If you aren’t sure whether your teen might benefit from online therapy, contact us to set up a consultation. We’ll get a chance to meet each other, walk you through what therapy with us looks like, and answer all your questions.
Three Reasons to Put Your Trust in Liz Morrison Therapy
At Liz Morrison Therapy, we know you have a lot of options to choose from when picking an online teen therapist. Entrusting your teen to someone else’s care is a big deal. Not to toot our own horn, but our care and services go above and beyond many of our competitors. Here are three reasons Liz Morrison Therapy can be a great option for your family.
Every therapist at Liz Morrison Therapy is a licensed social worker – and we’re all trained in working with younger generations. That means your teen receives the best possible care from experts who know how to help.
We know quick fixes aren’t helpful in the long term. We don’t just slap a bandaid over your child’s problems and send them on their way. Instead, we take time to truly get to know your child. Working together to explore and address the root causes of issues like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and behavior problems. Then we help them cultivate crucial strengths that have been proven to combat mental health problems, like resilience and emotion regulation. Along the way, your child learns important skills like nonviolent communication, healthy boundary setting, empathy, and self-advocacy so they feel empowered and equipped to handle all of life’s challenges.
We recognize that your needs and goals are constantly evolving, and we tailor therapy to fit your family’s situation in the moment. Want to be involved in your teen’s sessions? That’s absolutely fine. Interested in combining family therapy with individual sessions or alternating between the two? You got it. Your therapy, your way.
If you’re looking for support for your teen and family, contact us at Liz Morrison Therapy to learn more about how you can get started. Let's get your teen the care and support they deserve.
Find Support For Your Teen With Therapy for Teens in Westchester County, NY
Help your teen navigate life's challenges with the support they need through compassionate, online therapy for teens. Our experienced therapists at Liz Morrison Therapy specializes in guiding teens toward building confidence, coping with stress, and overcoming anxiety or depression. Reach out to get started on a path toward a healthier, happier future for your teen. Follow these three simple steps to get started:
1. Contact us to schedule an appointment for Therapy for Teens
2. Begin meeting with a skilled teen therapist
3. Start seeing positive changes in your teen after finding support!
Additional Services Offered at Liz Morrison Therapy
Our team at Liz Morrison Therapy is here to help you and your family no matter your mental health struggle. In addition to supporting your teen in therapy for teens, our services also include Parenting Support for those looking to create healthy relationships with their children to help them live their best lives, Young Adult Therapy for individuals looking for support, guidance, and real-world strategies to help them deal with their struggles, and Anxiety Therapy for those wanting to cope with their anxiety in healthy ways. We offers services for the whole family. Our online therapy services are offered in Manhattan, New York City, Brooklyn, and anywhere else in New York state. For more about us check out our Blogs and FAQs.