Skype therapy works really well for teens. Credit: Ambro via freedigitalphotos.net
Telehealth Therapy and How Well it Works for Teens
How well does teletherapy work with teenagers? It depends, but it’s likely telehealth therapy could be a great option for your teen.
When Telehealth Therapy is Good for Teens
There are a lot of teens who benefit from videoconferencing sessions just as much as the traditional face-to-face sessions. Telehealth therapy is especially good for teens who have families with busy schedules. For some, getting to the office every single week is too much of a challenge. For the teen to be able to do their sessions from home is helpful to the whole family.
When Schedules are Too Busy for Face-to-Face Therapy
Teletherapy can also be helpful for your family if there are other kids in the family who have commitments like soccer practices, tutoring, etc. It makes it easier on you if you’re unable to make the time to drive your child to therapy every week. If your child can stay home while they do therapy, you can take care of the rest of the things you have to do every day.
How Telehealth Therapy Makes Scheduling Easier
Telehealth therapy is also good for teens in that it makes it easier to schedule sessions. Therapists in our practice keep specific office hours, but we offer telehealth sessions Monday through Saturday. This way, it’s easier to find a time that works for you. If your adolescent has school, sports, a hangout with friends, etc., it’s nice for them not to have to miss an activity to be able to go to therapy.
Is Telehealth Therapy Right for Your Teen?
Are you wondering whether your teenage son or daughter will benefit from online counseling sessions? If the answer to all the questions below is yes, it is likely telehealth therapy is a good option for your teen.
Is your teenager conversational? In other words, do they speak readily?
Does your adolescent want counseling?
Can your teenager pay attention?
Is your teen moderately comfortable with technology?
Can your adolescent find a private place for their sessions for an hour at a time?
A Unique Side of What Teletherapy Can Do for Teens
I have been working with clients using telemedicine since 2010. The clients who have worked in this format have had a better continuity of care. I know that seems counter-intuitive, but this way clients can have a session when they need it no matter what point they’re at in life. With telehealth therapy, if a teen goes to college or moves away, they can still continue with online sessions.
Putting it Into Practice
If you know your teen needs therapy and you either live out of the area, you don’t have the time to make another appointment, or you just feel comfortable with video sessions, this is a great option for you. Please give me a call and we’ll talk about how telehealth therapy can work for you and your teen.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I want to call a therapist and ask about what’s going on with my kid, but I’m not sure my kid really needs therapy. I don’t want to get talked into bringing them in if it isn’t necessary. I don’t want to start spending a lot of money and having my child get attached to a therapist if they don’t actually need to be there.
This is the thought process many parents go through when deciding if they should call. I understand it. I feel like that when I call the pediatrician’s office to see if one of my kids needs to come in. I wish they’d just tell me if it’s not necessary.
I’m writing all this because I want you to feel at ease to call. I personally return almost every phone call about counseling that comes our way. I do this because I don’t want you to bring your teenager in unless it’s necessary. Of course I can’t always tell that on the phone, but I do regularly tell people it’s not yet time to start counseling. I promise you the same courtesy.
I had a call last week from a couple of concerned parents. It was hard for them to witness their daughter struggling with friends at school. She was feeling isolated and left out. Once we talked for a little while on the phone, it seemed to me this problem might resolve itself if given a little bit of time. I asked the parents to wait a few weeks and see whether things improved for their daughter. If not, there might be something worth digging through in therapy. For many though, a little bit of time salves a lot of wounds.
This is not an uncommon story when you call to talk to us. You also might hear from me that nobody on our team is the right fit for your situation. It doesn’t help your teen if he or she is paired with a therapist who doesn’t have the right training/experience for your issue. We usually have good outcomes for our clients because we are very picky on the front end about who we see. That is why people in the community trust us and trust is the MOST important ingredient in a successful counseling experience.
Sometimes you teach me. You have been incredible throughout quarantine. Teenagers, you’ve been honest with your disappointment, loneliness and sadness, but you’ve also been amazingly resilient. Every one of you I’ve seen in therapy in the last two months have expressed reasons you’re thankful. You’ve all been thoughtful and you have all tolerated this with less complaining than the adults I know!
I’ve never commented on this as far as I can remember. It’s not something I am called on to do with any regularity. It is one of the most universally hated parts of a therapist’s job. What is it? Calling child protective services.
Hello, I’m Lauren! If you notice your teen struggling, you might be feeling helpless, hopeless, frustrated or concerned as a parent. Try to remember, there is hope. I want to help your adolescent feel better. My hope is for them to enjoy their life again. I want them to feel confident they can handle whatever situations arise.
