Could online therapy work for my child?
by Joyce Li, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Posted: August 2, 2022
Even with the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which has allowed for the return of in-person appointments, some families are opting to continue to access psychological services online. There are many reasons a family might prefer or require that option. However, if you have not tried virtual therapy (also known as telepsychology or teletherapy), you may wonder whether it can be an effective alternative to in-person sessions for your child.
Online therapy is not a good fit for every child or teen, but is worth considering given its potential advantages. Online therapy has been around for a while, since before the pandemic, and research indicates that it can be an effective treatment for a wide range of issues. From my own experience, many of my initial hesitations about conducting online therapy with children and teens have proven to be unfounded; it is very possible to build a strong connection and do effective therapeutic work with youth, even through a screen. Here are some pros, cons, and other considerations when determining whether online therapy could be a good fit for your child.
Why might families consider online therapy for their child?
Convenience: Some caregivers express that online therapy is more feasible for their busy lives. They appreciate not having to navigate traffic, find parking, or arrange childcare for other children, and find they can more easily fit it into their schedules.
Accessibility: For clients who are unable to travel to a clinic or who need to limit exposure to others, online therapy can be a safe and feasible alternative.
Access to expertise: With online therapy, families are able to work with clinicians who have experience with certain issues that they may not be able to access locally. The psychologists in our clinic are registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and are thus able to treat individuals located anywhere in the province.
Comfort: Some of the youth we work with at our clinic, especially teens, simply prefer to speak to a psychologist from the comfort of their homes.
Why might some families prefer in-person therapy for their child?
Privacy: Kids, teens, and caregivers highly value having privacy during their therapy sessions, and this can be difficult to find in some households. An in-person sessions guarantees a quiet, confidential space.
Fewer distractions: Some kids and teens have difficulty resisting the pull of pets, toys, devices, and the whole Internet, which is all too easy access with just a couple of clicks outside the video chat screen. Going to in-person sessions can provide a dedicated space to focus on therapy.
Engagement: Though many kids and teens are able to engage fully through online sessions, others have a harder time with this. Younger children, especially, may find it easier to participate in therapy when they have an in-person connection.
Separation of home and therapy: For all kinds of reasons, kids and teens may not want to participate in therapy from their homes. For example, some youth say they prefer to process difficult emotions and experiences in a separate, safe space, and find that travelling to and from the clinic provides a more comfortable way to contain transition into and out of therapy.
Further considerations for online vs. in-person therapy
If you would strongly prefer or require online sessions but are concerned about your child’s capacity to fully pay attention, you can speak to the clinician about options to support their engagement. For example, they might suggest having shorter sessions, incorporating breaks and a range of activities, or having a parent/caregiver sit in on the session to support the child.
Some of the families I work with like to do a mix of both online and in-person sessions. For example, a few families who live further away from our office in Toronto have opted to have the first session held in-person to build rapport, but then have had subsequent sessions online for convenience. Some older teens sometimes also prefer the flexibility of having in-person sessions when possible but moving online when they find their schedules are busier.
