Disturbing research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in November found that the proportion of children’s mental health-related emergency room visits from April through October 2020 significantly increased among 5- to 11-year-olds (24%) and 12- to 17-year-olds (31%) from the previous year. The American Academy of Pediatrics also warns that many children and teens have had an especially tough time coping emotionally with the pandemic. Of course, it’s not that easy to just get in with a mental health professional in most areas right now. That’s why plenty of families are turning to online counseling apps for kids. “Online therapy can be much more accessible in many ways,” Gail Saltz, M.D., an associate professor of psychiatry at the NY Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine and host of the “How Can I Help?" podcast from iHeartRadio. “COVID has made it more difficult to be safely in person and children cannot even be vaccinated. Therapists are very over-subscribed, especially in areas where there are too few, which is especially common for child psychiatrists and psychologists.” Apps can also often provide faster support than a more traditional office setting—a huge perk if waitlists are long in your area, says Emily Becker-Haimes, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the Penn Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research. If you’ve never used a counseling app for your child, you probably have questions. Here’s what you need to know.
How do online counseling apps and services work for kids?
It depends on which app you use. “There is a lot of variability in the apps that exist,” Becker-Haimes says. “Some of them are subscription services which give you certain ‘therapy benefits,’ like access to a certain number of therapy hours per week and chat functions with a therapist.” But other apps are designed to be more self-guided, she says. Meaning, your child (with or without your help) can work their own way through certain practices without the close guidance of a provider. “Some options allow for both online sessions that are visual, but also the option of texting with your provider,” Saltz says.
How much are online counseling apps and services for kids? Is it covered by insurance?
Again, it depends. The apps typically cost money, and those fees vary. Health insurance also may or may not help cover the fees. “Unfortunately, insurance providers all have different rules about what they will and will not cover,” Becker-Haimes says. “Many providers will only cover services provided by a licensed mental health clinician up to a certain rate. Some may only provide coverage for one online platform but not another.” That’s why she says it’s a good idea to call your insurance provider and ask if they will cover telehealth or online services and, if so, what documentation they’ll require for coverage.
What are the best online counseling apps and services for kids?
Every app is a little different, and the best one for your child will likely depend on a combination of their needs and your budget. These are some of the best options to consider:
Online Counseling for Kids
TeenCounseling
The Cost: $80 to $100 per week Best for: Ages 13 to 19 The Basics: The service connects teenagers to licensed therapists online, through their computer, tablet, or smartphone. Parents sign up, find a counselor, and then invite their child to join. Their child then can connect with a counselor through messages, live chat, phone calls, or video conference.
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame
Best for: Ages 2 to 5 The Cost: Free The Basics: This app helps teach young children important emotional skills like self-control, problem-solving, and sticking with tasks through the use of a Sesame Street monster friend that they create. It also teaches children about the benefits of taking deep breaths and thinking before they act.
Amwell
The Cost:$99 to $110 Best for: Ages 10 to 17 The Basics: Amwell offers telehealth visits for a range of doctors, including mental health therapists for children, starting at age 10. To use the service, you need to create an account and choose a therapist you’d like to work with. Then, set up an appointment to be conducted over video chat. Amwell does take health insurance, but coverage ultimately depends on your insurance provider.
Synergy eTherapy
The Cost: Varies Best for: Teens The Basics: Synergy eTherapy connects you with counselors in your own state. (Licensed therapists are only allowed to practice in the states where they are licensed.) You’ll first do a consultation with your child on the company’s video platform where you can ask questions. After that, they can do therapy over the phone or video. Rates vary by provider and the length of your appointment.
CosmicKids
The Cost: $10/month Best for: Ages 3 to 9 The Basics: CosmicKids offers mental health support through yoga. The app guides children through different yoga sequences in fun, kid-friendly settings, like underwater scenes and farms. There’s also a special practice specifically designed to help kids find their “happy place.”
7 Cups
The Cost: free to teens Best for: Ages 13 to 17 The Basics: 7 Cups offers help for teens and adults, allowing the whole family to get mental health care. While adult therapy is $150 a month, teens are able to connect with trained listeners for free. When your child wants to talk to someone, they enter a teen support room, where they can chat with someone else about the issues they’re facing. That person won’t offer up advice, but they will listen. Note: These are not licensed mental health providers, making this a service that can be helpful if your child feels like they need to vent, but not if they need mental health treatment.
Headspace
The Cost: $12.99/month Best for: Ages12 and under The Basics: Headspace offers guided meditationsat an age-appropriate level. Just select your child’s age—5 and under, 6 to 8, or 9 to 12— to access different meditations. There are five major themes for kids to explore: calm, focus, kindness, sleep, and wake up, with a little something in the mix for everyone. You can do a free trial for 14 days to see if it’s right for your family.
MDLive
The Cost: $108 per session Best for: Ages 10 and up The Basics: MDLive is pretty closeto having more traditional therapy—just from a distance. To use it,fill out a questionnaireabout your needs and then pick a therapist who seems right for your family. The service can also connect you with a psychiatrist if you think your child needs medication.
CBT Tools for Youth
The Cost: $2.99 Best for: Ages 8 to 18 The Basics: This app helps children and teens increase their emotional self-awareness and better manage their feelings by using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The app, which was developed by a child and teen psychologist, has a few different features, including an emotion tracker and different skill sets kids can work on, like relaxation and thinking.
HappiMe
The Cost: Free Best for: Ages 4 and up The Basics: HappiMe actually has several apps, including one for the younger set and another (HappiMe for Young People) specifically targeted at kids 11 to 17. The apps help teach kids about the power of positive thinking and work to help improve self-esteem through the use of visualizations and audio cues. Curious about meditation? Here’s what to know about how to meditate for beginners.
