If your teen is struggling with anxiety, you may be desperate to find the right support. Because you’re a caring parent, you’ve also probably turned to the internet. Unfortunately, the sheer number of online therapy platforms has probably overwhelmed you because knowing which one to trust can be difficult.
If you can relate to this scenario and the situation feels desperate, don’t despair or give up. This guide will take you by the hand and show you the strategies to use to narrow your list to find an online therapy platform that can truly support your teen’s mental health needs.
Start With Checking the Accreditation and Licensing
What do we know about legitimate businesses? We know that they play by the books! That’s why checking a platform’s accreditation and licensing should be your first step when researching reliable online therapy platforms for your teen.
Ideally, only patronize or consider online therapy platforms accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other certifications that ensure the platform adheres to high care standards. Take things a step further by checking the licensing and accreditation of some teen therapists on the platform.
Remember that the aim is to ensure your teen is in capable hands. The best way to certify that is to check the accreditation of your preferred mental health professional. Doing this ensures you can entrust your teen son or daughter in the capable hands of a mental health professional who has undergone rigorous training and is qualified to provide professional mental health support.
Consider the Cost and Insurance Options
Yes, online therapy can be cheaper and more affordable than in-person therapy sessions. However, just because it’s cheaper does not mean the cost does not add up over time; it does.
That’s why price comparison is a powerful way to get the best bang for your buck. Use your comparison process to check whether your preferred platform offers financial assistance or accepts insurance.
Remember that even if your health insurance does not cover mental health, online platforms can help ensure you can access affordable therapy without insurance.
Evaluate Privacy and Security Measures
You’ve seen and heard it from movies: client privacy is a therapist’s secondary concern – it’s second only to better mental well-being. Check whether the platforms on your shortlist adhere to ethical practices and use standard security protocols like HTTPS and encryption.
Take things a step further by ensuring that your preferred online therapy platform complies with regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Assess the Range of Services Offered
The honest-to-God truth is that teens have divergent mental health needs: one teen may need help to overcome shyness, another may need support to cope with adolescent-driven changes, and another may be neurodivergent.
What does this tell you? It should highlight the importance of choosing a therapy platform that offers varied services; after all, your teen son’s or daughter’s mental health needs will probably progressively evolve.
Favor online therapy platforms known for providing individual therapy, group sessions, and family counseling. However, if your son needs specific help, perhaps with anxiety, trauma, or depression, go for platforms that offer specialized mental health help.
Look for Trial Sessions or Money-Back Guarantees
Many modern platforms, especially those using a subscription-based model featuring recurring billing, usually offer trial sessions or money-back guarantees. Use these to test the service before committing. Trials are a great way to see if a platform fits your teen without a long-term commitment. Some users have used trial sessions to find the right therapist match.
Read User Reviews and Testimonials
Reading reviews and testimonials from platform users can give you valuable insights about a platform’s effectiveness.
Look for reviews on independent sites and forums where users share their honest opinions. Doing this can be a super clever way to find a reliable online therapy platform that can meet your teenager’s mental health needs.
Conclusion
Finding the right online therapy platform for your teen can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. However, by following these strategies – researching accreditation, reading reviews, evaluating privacy measures, assessing services, and looking for trial sessions – you can help you confidently choose a platform that meets your teen’s unique needs.
Remember, the goal is to give your teen the support they need to thrive. So take a deep breath and do your diligence to find the right fit.
Also read:
Why Family Therapy Can Help Your Teen
Image source: Freepik