Online Therapy for Kids in North Carolina
Find Support Wherever You Are.
Kids may not say a lot about the pandemic, but their behavior tells a different story. If you’re like many of my clients, you’re seeing your child melt down over small things that never used to bother her. Being away from friends is really taking a toll, and it seems like nothing is fun or exciting anymore. She’s spending more and more time in her room, which isn’t like her.
You know she needs help, but squeezing an appointment between online school and your own work calls seems nearly impossible. Actually, all this scheduling stress is part of why you’re looking for counseling in the first place!
Therapy works best when you can find someone who truly “clicks” with your child or teen. It can be tricky to find the right fit, especially if you live in an area without tons of options. It’s extra tough if you are looking for a therapist who specializes in a certain kind of therapy, like CBT for childhood anxiety.
Online Counseling Helps Kids and Teens From Home
Online counseling gives your child a support system that's available wherever they are. Kids and teens can learn the skills they need to manage their feelings. What's more, they can do it from the comfort of their own home, in the place that feels safest to them.
Children battling anxiety learn to relax their bodies and minds. They begin to spot the exaggerated thinking patterns that make worries worse. Kids who have experienced trauma can safely work through their feelings. Over time, those bad memories don’t bother them as much anymore. Art and play keeps therapy interesting, and lets kids express themselves without always using their words.
Teens often have a hard time opening up about their feelings. Even if you and your teen have a great relationship, they may be hesitant to share every detail about their life. They are developing a whole new identity with school and friends, and that isn't easy. Online therapy gives teens a place to vent their feelings, and learn healthy ways to cope with anger and stress.
Why Consider Online Counseling in North Carolina?
Online therapy makes it easier for people to attend counseling. It also allows you to meet with specialists who don’t live in your town—without a long commute. Here a few common reasons to consider meeting with a therapist online:
Your child has a busy schedule that already causes stress
You work full-time, and can’t make it to an office during business hours
Your family is social distancing
You are looking for a special kind of therapy that’s not available where you live
Your child has a medical condition that makes face-to-face sessions difficult
You live in a rural area without many local options for therapy
As an example, I’m a children’s therapist who uses CBT to help kids with anxiety. While my office is in Davidson, NC, I can now work with kids all over North Carolina, New York, and Florida as an online anxiety therapist.
How Does Online Therapy Work for Kids and Teens?
Online therapy uses video conferencing so that the counselor and child don’t have to be in the same place. If your child has ever used Zoom or Skype before, it’ll feel very familiar! But, there is a lot more security in place to protect your data and keep personal health information safe.
To take part in online therapy, you or your child clicks a link to go to my virtual waiting room. There’s no need to download or install anything—simply hang out on the website until I’m start our call. Children will need a computer with internet access, and a private room with a door that closes. For younger kids, having a few favorite toys or art supplies on hand is helpful, too.
Online therapy happens in real time, just like any other therapy session. Many of the same techniques I use with kids and teens are a natural fit online, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. Happily, research shows that online therapy works just as well as face-to-face counseling.
Will My Child Be Able to Focus and Connect With An Online Therapist?
Not so long ago, I would have asked this question, too! When I started online therapy, I worried that kids would be “too wiggly” to focus for an entire session. I wondered if therapy would still feel the same when there was a computer screen dividing us. I’d heard that online school wasn’t working out so well for some of my teens.
To my surprise, I’ve found that kids and teens are especially equipped to succeed at online therapy. They are digital natives who have grown up with this technology. Talking to people on screens feels normal to kids. Many of them have been FaceTiming with their grandparents for as long as they can remember.
Being one-on-one with a counselor seems to make it easier to focus than it is in big group calls. Online classrooms can be chaotic, with kids shouting over each other. You don’t have to worry about being interrupted or overlooked in online therapy. This seems to make it easier for kids to focus, even if they struggle with online school.
Every child is different, and some kids have an easier time connecting over the computer than others. I usually recommend that online therapy works best for kids ages 7 and up.
Is Online Therapy As Effective As Other Forms of Child Counseling?
Online therapy looks and feels a little different than other forms of counseling. That doesn’t make it better or worse—it’s just another way of working. Like any kind of therapy, it has its own pros and cons. Overall, online therapy works just as well as other forms of child or teen counseling.
In my child therapy practice, I have found that children progress through therapy as quickly online as they do in person. They are able to reach the same goals and learn the same skills. I’ve had many children complete therapy without ever having met face-to-face. It's kind of a funny feeling! I’m happy to say that these children seem to benefit in the same way as my traditional counseling clients.
Although it's popular right now, online therapy has been around long enough for us to have research to back it up. Studies show that online therapy is just as effective at helping kids with anxiety and depression. What’s more, the research suggests that computer-based counseling might be more appealing to kids and teens. This makes them more motivated to attend.
Online Teen Counseling Feels Less Awkward for Tweens and Teenagers
Teens don’t don’t want to sit on a couch for an hour and unload their deepest secrets while making direct eye contact with a random adult. It feels intimidating, and might keep teens who need help from getting it. Online therapy reduces some of the “awkward” factor. It also gives teens and tweens more control over their own therapy.
Kids with social anxiety may feel less like they’re under the microscope in an online setting. It feels more anonymous, which can make it easier to share heavy feelings. When things are hard to say out loud, there’s always the option to type them out in the chat box.
It’s empowering for many of my preteens and teens to be able to handle their therapy sessions by themselves. They can sign on and off independently. They get to decide where they feel most comfortable meeting. Having this control seems to help them take more ownership over their therapy process.
Sometimes Parents Need An Anxiety Therapist, Too
It’s no picnic to help a child with anxiety or behavior problems under normal circumstances. Our “new normal” adds a lot more stress, disrupted routines, and unstructured time to make the job even harder. I want to help you take care of your own stress so you can be there for your kids during this time.
Online teen or child therapy usually involves the parents, too. I like to meet with parents periodically for check-in sessions to update you on your child’s progress and see how else I can help. Together, we can brainstorm ways to shape difficult behaviors into more positive ones.
I like to teach parents some of the “bread and butter” play therapy techniques I use most often in sessions. That way, you can try the at home, too.
Looking For an Online Therapist for Anxiety in Davidson, NC?
If you have a child with anxiety, you know even everyday tasks can be a struggle. It’s painful to watch your bright child dreading every school morning, or struggling to speak to other kids.
Whether you’re local to North Carolina or you live out-of-state, online therapy can help. It gives kids and teens action steps to feel more in control of their worries. I love using CBT with anxious kids, because the tools kids learn can be used right away to start feeling better.
The coping tools kids learn in anxiety therapy are child-friendly, but they work for adults, too. They're lifelong skills that can be applied to any stressful situation. This means kids and teens can use them both now and in the future, as they grow up.
Meet a Child Therapist Online in North Carolina, New York, or Florida
If you’re looking for an online therapist for your child or teen, I’d love to help. I’m a North Carolina-based counselor who also works with kids from New York and Florida in my online practice. I help kids dealing with anxiety or trauma to manage meltdowns, strengthen friendships, and overcome fears.
If you’re in North Carolina, you can stop by my office in Davidson or meet me online if that’s more convenient. If you’re in Florida or New York, online therapy can help your child learn coping skills from anywhere.
You can learn more about me and my approach to therapy in my bio. If you’d like to get started or want to ask a question, reach out to me here.
Want to Learn More About Online Teen and Child Counseling?
Check out some of my blog posts about online therapy. You’ll get more information about what to expect, as well as the pros and cons of seeking out online therapy for kids or teens. Here are a few of my favorites to get you started:
Is Online Therapy for Kids Legit?
Online Trauma Therapy: How TF-CBT Helps Kids Heal At Home
Online Therapy for 11-year-olds? 5 Ways Preteens Benefit From Online Counseling
Online CBT Therapy for Kids With Anxiety
Pros and Cons of Online Therapy for Kids
Other Mental Health Services for Kids and Teens in North Carolina
I specialize in helping kids with anxiety and trauma using CBT, play, and drama therapy. You can learn about my other services for children and teens in North Carolina below. If you’re from out-of-state, no worries! These services are available online in New York and Florida, too.
CBT for Anxiety | Play Therapy | Child Counseling | TF-CBT for Trauma | D&D Social Group
