Why Virtual Therapy For Teens are Much Needed?
Back in 2020, everything turned upside down and shifted so suddenly for all of us. As a licensed therapist who is committed to supporting young child and adolescent and their families, I recognized the sudden need to adapt the way I was providing online counseling sessions to improve their mental health condition during teen therapy.
At Amy Brown Counseling, like many others in our field, we transitioned to virtual play therapy immediately. Initially, it felt like it might be temporary, although the field of online teen counseling / teen therapy was already slowly beginning to shift to more video-based sessions prior to the pandemic in 2020. Yet still, we were venturing into relatively new territory, not fully knowing how well child and adolescent would do with discussing their feelings and challenges through a device screen. In retrospect and to our delight, the results were so much better than we could have predicted.
It’s also crucial to remember that state laws in the United States vary with regard to whether or not teen needs parental approval to start therapy.
Shift From Physical to Online Virtual therapy for Teens
The shift from in-person therapy to online counseling sessions wasn’t just a temporary adjustment but a new way of life. We found that child and adolescents weren’t merely coping with virtual play therapy or adolescent therapy, they were actually benefiting just as they did during in-person sessions. Being in their own environments, whether tucked away in their bedrooms or sitting in a relaxing corner of their basements, they could engage in therapy without the barriers that can come along with attending office-based sessions. There’s a comfort in the familiarity of home, and for many teens, this comfort translates into greater openness and engagement. For many teens, therapy became a consideration, as something to try for the first time, specifically because of the fact that it could be done from a phone or device. This also has increased the importance of mental health support over teens.
The convenience of virtual therapy over in-person therapy stands out as its most significant benefit. Accessing a last minute crisis appointment is easier for the licensed mental health professionals to schedule virtually, versus traveling to an office. Being able to schedule a session after returning home from school during a busy hectic schedule is a major benefit to provide teens counseling sessions virtually, for both teens and their parents. For parents who do their driving for their teens, or have younger children, knowing that the session will just be taking place from home is a breath of fresh air and a weight off of their shoulders.
Effectiveness Of Virtual Therapy
From the perspective of mental health professional, the effectiveness of mental health care that we are learning about virtual therapy is compelling. It also requires that licensed therapist themselves be comfortable with technology so that they can provide the care and the well-deserved talkspace they need to during best online counseling sessions. Research supports the value that online sessions provide, with studies highlighting higher engagement rates among teens in virtual sessions compared to in-person office-based ones. Teens feel safer and are more willing to open up when they’re in their safe spaces, particularly those who struggle with severe social anxiety or other similar concerns.
Unique Approach for Every Teen
When it comes to counseling modalities, we don’t approach teens using a prescribed model of therapy. Each therapy session is thoughtfully tailored to the individual needs of the teens we work with. Our approach is always strengths-based, client-centered, and trauma informed. Our therapists are trained and experienced at addressing a diverse range of clinical concerns, from anxiety and depression to trauma and behavioral concerns, such as high risk behaviors or self-harm. Beyond these, we help teens work through and cope with the stressors of daily life, such as peer pressure, academic stress, and family conflicts. We prioritize creating a secure and confidential online space where teens can feel safe to express themselves fully and honestly, in a way that they feel heard, understood, and respected. For example, we check in at the beginning of each session, and often throughout the session, to be sure that the teen feels their confidentiality is being upheld within the space they are currently in for their session.
The therapeutic methods we use are holistic, diverse, and personalized. We tap into established strategies and models like cognitive-behavioral therapy with innovative approaches such as mindfulness practices, EMDR, narrative therapy, sandtray therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy- all provided to meet the unique needs of each teen client and their family. This way of approaching therapy with teens is comforting and vital. Our hope is that every teenager we meet with receives the most effective treatment that is individually adapted to their specific needs and struggles.
Parental Involvement In Virtual Teen Therapy
Parent/guardian involvement is another important part of our virtual therapy services. We believe that therapy is most successful when parent/guardian involvement is at the forefront of our counseling services. Our counseling intake process begins with parents, where our therapists collect family history and assessment information from parents in order to better understand their concerns for their teen. Parents can play an important role in this process, and we encourage their active participation in virtual sessions. Providing sessions online by video, often makes it easier for divorced/separated parents who both want to join a session from two different locations. By understanding and participating in the online therapy process and knowing how to support their teen effectively, parents can become valuable collaborators in their teen’s emotional and developmental growth. Therapy sessions that take place from home definitely make it easier for parents to jump on the video call to communicate concerns or updates to the therapist, either from home or the privacy of their offices.
We hope to make therapy accessible and flexible, and to accommodate the busy schedules of today’s families. We currently offer our virtual therapy services in the states of Missouri and Texas. The benefits of engaging in virtual therapy are proving to be significant. Teens can learn to manage immediate stressors in their daily lives, while also learning lifelong skills that aid in their ability to cope with stress, build resilience, and foster their overall emotional well-being into young adulthood. Many teens also establish a relationship with a therapist that they can then return to during young adulthood and/or adulthood should they need additional support in those years of their life.
Providing Top Quality Virtual Therapy Services is Our Priority
Ensuring that we are continuously improving is a priority in our counseling service for teens. We regularly ask for feedback from our teen clients to adjust our services and approaches, to be sure that our online therapy platforms and our online therapy services meet the teen needs and goals of every client. For the future, we are dedicated to continued innovation and to improving the ways we deliver mental health services as our field and the experiences of children, teens, and families evolves.
Contact Now For Help!
For parents of teenagers or teens themselves considering online teen therapy program, Amy Brown Counseling is ready to listen. We understand the complexities of the lives of adolescents and teens and are well-equipped to provide the support needed to support you through these critical developmental stages of life. If you’re interested in learning more about our virtual therapy services, or scheduling an appointment, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Fill out the new client inquiry form today to get started with a therapist on our team.
