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The Best Online Therapy For Kids Of 2025
Written By
Staff Editor
Fact Checked
| Former Health Writer
& 1 other
Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. Our editorial content is based on thorough research and guidance from the Forbes Health Advisory Board.
In the U.S., children are increasingly experiencing mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. For parents searching for the best online therapy for kids, it’s vital to choose a platform backed by reliable data.
Forbes Health has leveraged extensive research and user feedback to bring you the best online therapy providers for children of 2025 based on factors such as cost, features, user satisfaction, ages treated, inclusion of parents, specialists, autism screenings and more. Read on for our top picks.
Why You Can Trust Forbes Health
The Forbes Health editorial team prioritizes the accuracy and integrity of the data collected. Our ranking is based on quantitative data and user testing and is free from conflicts of interest. We carefully fact-check the information featured in our ranking and are committed to producing rankings and supplemental content about mental health treatment that readers can trust. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our online therapy methodology for the rankings below.
12 telehealth platforms considered
5 metrics analyzed
Four editors utilized
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We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Partner Offer placements. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable review of their products or services.
Teen Counseling
Prices vary and start at $65/week
Professional therapy for teens between ages 13-19
Therapists help clients work on developing coping skills
Provides teens with a resource that is available to help them when they need guidance and support
On Teen Counseling’s Website
The Best Online Therapy for Kids of 2025
Best for Young Children
Little Otter
5.0
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Ages treated: Ages 0 to 14
Cost per session: $0 for an initial “kick-off” session and $200 for a 45-minute therapy session, $500 for a psychiatry evaluation and $250 for psychiatry sessions
Types of therapy available: Family, individual (for kids ages 0-14), psychiatry
Modes of communication available: Video and texting
Insurance: Only in-network for Independence Blue Cross, AmeriHealth and Sana
Ability to prescribe medications: Yes
Better Business Bureau rating: N/A
Trustpilot rating: N/A
About Our Featured Partner
Why We Picked It
Little Otter stands out from the other online therapy platforms on this ranking as it’s not just a telehealth platform that also offers mental health treatment for kids, but it’s specifically designed for this age demographic (although it does feature couple’s therapy and parent training/support). The service takes a “whole family” approach, pulling parents into the process of developing a mental health treatment plan for their child. This includes completing a quiz about the family’s current challenges and goals and receiving a personalized report and a customized care plan. Additionally, its care team features licensed therapists trained in child mental health and child psychiatrists.
Pros & Cons
Offers psychiatric care and medication management as a separate service
Treats kids as young as toddler-age
Offers parental support and coaching
Features a $0 Kickoff Session
Accepts HSA/FSA funds
Offers bundling of services at a discount
Limited insurance acceptance
The most expensive per session in this ranking
Only available in select states
Does not assess for autism spectrum disorder
Cancellation policy is strict – you are charged for your session 23 hours in advance and will not receive a refund if you have to cancel within the 24-hour window
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Have you considered Teen Counseling?
Teen Counseling is a nurturing and safe space where children can express themselves, grow, and develop the skills necessary for a happy and successful future. Here’s why we chose it:
Access a network of skilled therapists who can assist your child with diverse challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationships, bullying, trauma and more
Over 13,000 therapists licensed to assist teenagers in thriving
Therapy available via text, phone and video
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Take a look above because we feel Teen Counseling is worth considering.
Continue To See Our Featured Online Therapy Partners
Best for Autism Support
Synergy eTherapy
4.8
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Ages treated: Age 6+
Cost per session: Varies from $100 to $250 per session depending on therapist and state
Types of therapy available: Couples and individual
Modes of communication available: Video
Insurance: Varies depending on each therapist and the state they are based in
Ability to prescribe medications: No
Better Business Bureau rating: N/A
Trustpilot rating: N/A
About Our Featured Partner
Why We Picked It
Synergy eTherapy offers its therapy services to children as young as 6, which is younger than most online therapy providers in this ranking. It also provides assessment for autism spectrum disorder, which is not offered by many online therapy providers. Synergy’s rates per session vary depending on the therapist and what state you live in, but interns are available at a much lower cost. Family therapy is available alongside individual therapy and does not cost more than an individual session.
Pros & Cons
Treats kids as young as 6
Provides assessment for autism spectrum disorder
Prices are more reasonable than others on this ranking
Offers ability to purchase gift cards to put toward services
Interns are available for counseling sessions at a reduced rate of $50
Provides a few paths to receiving a reduced rate
Currently only available in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, New York, South Carolina, Florida, Kansas, California, Illinois, Maine and Georgia
Does not offer parent specialists
Only 30 active providers
Does not offer medication management
No minimum number of years of experience required for its therapists
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Have you considered Teen Counseling?
Teen Counseling is a nurturing and safe space where children can express themselves, grow, and develop the skills necessary for a happy and successful future. Here’s why we chose it:
Access a network of skilled therapists who can assist your child with diverse challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationships, bullying, trauma and more
Over 13,000 therapists licensed to assist teenagers in thriving
Therapy available via text, phone and video
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Take a look above because we feel Teen Counseling is worth considering.
Continue To See Our Featured Online Therapy Partners
Best Therapist Credentials
MDLive
4.5
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Ages treated: Age 10+
Cost per session: As much as $140 per session depending on your insurance coverage
Types of therapy available: Individual and psychiatry
Modes of communication available: Phone or video
Insurance: Insurance is accepted
Ability to prescribe medications: Yes
Better Business Bureau rating: F
Trustpilot rating: 1.6 out of 5 stars
About Our Featured Partner
Why We Picked It
MDLive snags a spot on our ranking due to its affordable session fees, scheduling and therapist flexibility and a solid reputation. It’s available nationwide, and offers mental health services with a licensed therapist or psychiatrist to individuals as young as 10 years old, given parental or legal guardian consent. The company notes that a parent or legal guardian must be present at the start of the session to consent to the treatment, but after that, it’s at the therapist’s discretion whether the parent remains present for the remainder of the session, according to the company.
Pros & Cons
Requires at least four years of experience for its therapy providers
Offers psychiatry care as a separate service
Appointment availability on nights and weekends
Per session fee is lower than most in our ranking
Available in all U.S. states and Puerto Rico
Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) via therapy and non-stimulant medication management only
Does not treat moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder
Only treats kids older than 10
Does not offer family therapy
Treatment only available in English or Spanish
Does not offer family therapy
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Have you considered Teen Counseling?
Teen Counseling is a nurturing and safe space where children can express themselves, grow, and develop the skills necessary for a happy and successful future. Here’s why we chose it:
Access a network of skilled therapists who can assist your child with diverse challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationships, bullying, trauma and more
Over 13,000 therapists licensed to assist teenagers in thriving
Therapy available via text, phone and video
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Take a look above because we feel Teen Counseling is worth considering.
Continue To See Our Featured Online Therapy Partners
Best for Insurance
Amwell
4.4
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Ages treated: Age 10+
Cost per session: $109 to $129
Types of therapy available: Individual, couples, family, psychiatry
Modes of communication available: Video
Insurance: Yes
Ability to prescribe medications: Yes but only for ages 18+
Better Business Bureau rating: A+
Trustpilot rating: 1.3 out of 5 stars
About Our Featured Partner
Why We Picked It
With a large number of insurances accepted and availability in all U.S. states, Amwell is a convenient option for most parents seeking online therapy for their child. The platform offers treatment to those ages 10 and older along with family therapy at a reasonable cost. In fact, family therapy doesn’t cost more than individual therapy for your child, according to the company. Amwell also offers parent specialists alongside therapy for children to make it even easier to help your child work through their mental health challenges.
Pros & Cons
Available on nights, weekends and holidays at the same cost
Accepts 40 types of insurance
Available in all U.S. states
Offers parent specialists
Offers gender-affirming and LGBTQ care
Users may select their own therapist
Low Trustpilot ratings
Only treats ages 10+
Does not offer text or chat therapy
Psychiatry only available for those over age 18
Does not assess or treat autism spectrum disorder
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Have you considered Teen Counseling?
Teen Counseling is a nurturing and safe space where children can express themselves, grow, and develop the skills necessary for a happy and successful future. Here’s why we chose it:
Access a network of skilled therapists who can assist your child with diverse challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationships, bullying, trauma and more
Over 13,000 therapists licensed to assist teenagers in thriving
Therapy available via text, phone and video
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Take a look above because we feel Teen Counseling is worth considering.
Continue To See Our Featured Online Therapy Partners
Best Budget
LiveHealth Online
4.1
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Ages treated: 10 and older
Cost per session: $85 per session with a therapist, $100 per session with a psychologist
Types of therapy available: Individual, psychiatry
Modes of communication available: Video
Insurance: Insurance is accepted
Ability to prescribe medications: Yes, but only to those over age 18
Better Business Bureau rating: F
Trustpilot rating: 1.4 out of 5 stars
About Our Featured Partner
Why We Picked It
LiveHealth made our list for the best online therapy platform overall, so it’s no surprise this provider ranks as one of the best online therapy platforms for kids, too. It offers its psychology services to those ages 10 to 17 (in addition to adults). While LiveHealth requires a parent to add their child to their LiveHealth online account before treatment begins, the level of parental involvement during the session will be determined by the therapist, according to the company.
Pros & Cons
Affordable sessions
Flexible scheduling with appointments available on nights and weekends
Ability to choose your own therapist
Services available in all U.S. states
Accepts most insurance plans, according to the company
See a therapist within a few days of initiating services
Low Trustpilot rating
Unclear if the service treats autism spectrum disorder
Psychiatry services are not available to those under 18
Shares user information with third parties
Does not offer text or messaging therapy
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Have you considered Teen Counseling?
Teen Counseling is a nurturing and safe space where children can express themselves, grow, and develop the skills necessary for a happy and successful future. Here’s why we chose it:
Access a network of skilled therapists who can assist your child with diverse challenges, including depression, anxiety, relationships, bullying, trauma and more
Over 13,000 therapists licensed to assist teenagers in thriving
Therapy available via text, phone and video
Get Started On Teen Counseling’s Website
Take a look above because we feel Teen Counseling is worth considering.
Continue To See Our Featured Online Therapy Partners
Methodology: How We Chose the Best Online Therapy Services for Kids
The Forbes Health editorial team determined the best online therapy platforms for kids, and their corresponding star ratings, based on an array of metrics including session fees, therapist and scheduling structure, user ratings, company reputation, conditions treated and more. We only considered companies who treat children ages 13 and under. If you’re looking for the best online therapy for teens, check out our ranking here.
Read more about our online therapy review methodology.
Help your teen build a brighter future. Sign up for Teen Counseling
Our team of licensed therapists specializes in working with teenagers, providing a safe and confidential space for them to express themselves and explore their feelings.
Get Started
On Teen Counseling’s Website
Is Online Therapy Effective for Kids?
Teletherapy sessions look very similar to in-person therapy visits, except that the child and their therapist are connecting using technology. Kids can ask questions and get advice from their mental health provider between sessions using email or text, depending on the provider or platform. Research suggests some parents and kids even prefer this mode of treatment delivery to in-person therapy sessions.
Research on teletherapy is still somewhat new. The limited number of studies that do exist show that online therapy has similar outcomes to in-person sessions (but more research is warranted).
Both therapists and parents of children ages 3 to 20 who used teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic were generally satisfied with the approach, with around two-thirds of parents saying they plan to use it for their children in the future, according to a 2022 study in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health.
Generally, the best candidates for online therapy are older kids—middle school and above— says Emma Woodward, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute in New York City. “They can keep themselves focused and not get distracted,” she says.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a treatment for childhood mental health conditions such as depression, learning disorders, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), lends itself to online therapy, Woodward adds. Other treatments, like exposure therapy for kids with anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or selective mutism, don’t work as well in a virtual setting, according to Dr. Woodward; that kind of work is best done in person, at least in the beginning, she says.
Pros and Cons of Online Therapy for Kids
One benefit of online therapy is that it improves accessibility. Only one in five kids with emotional or behavioral disorders currently receives care from a specialized mental health provider, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Unfortunately, there are many parts of our country where families don’t have local providers, or local providers who have specialty training in that child’s mental health challenge,” says Dr. Woodward.
Convenience is another benefit to teletherapy, especially for kids who have busy school and activity schedules. Additionally, some kids may feel more comfortable meeting with a therapist in their own surroundings.
For therapists like Dr. Woodward, treating kids virtually offers a window into the places where children have the most challenges. For example, she can help a child with OCD learn to overcome handwashing rituals in their own bathroom. “Telehealth can integrate the therapy into their real life, in the environment where they’re having challenges,” she says. “We can problem-solve in real time.”
One downside of meeting virtually is that it may be more difficult for kids—especially younger children—to connect with their therapist over a screen. “It can be harder to have the same experience without the body language and physical aspect of being together,” Dr. Woodward says.
Privacy is another concern. “Confidentiality is really the foundation of successful treatment, and sometimes it can be hard to do that virtually,” she adds. Parents can help by putting their child in a separate room, or by having both the child in therapy and other family members wear headphones during sessions.
Keep in mind that for minors, state laws regarding privacy vary. The American Psychological Association notes that in some states, minors of a certain age have the right to object to a parent’s request to access medical records. In other cases, parents may access their child’s records, but under certain limitations. How privacy and confidentiality of a minor’s records are handled is typically decided by the parent or legal guardian.
It’s also important to note that some online therapy providers do not offer services at all to individuals under a certain age, such as 18 or 13.
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER
We receive compensation from our partners for Featured Partner Offer placements. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable review of their products or services.
Talkiatry Virtual Mental Health Care
Human, virtual mental health care from doctors who take insurance
Clinical team is led by experts in the field
Adheres to the highest standards of care
Represents a diverse range of specialties and identities
Offers virtual visits, flexible scheduling, medication management, and therapist matching
On Talkiatry’s Website
How to Choose an Online Therapy Provider for Your Child
Start by asking for recommendations from people you already know well and trust, Dr. Woodward suggests. You might get a referral from your child’s pediatrician, or from a school counselor or psychologist.
You can also find resources based on your child’s diagnosis. Professional organizations exist for many childhood mental health conditions, including the:
Selective Mutism Association
International OCD Foundation
National Autism Association
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
If you don’t have luck with any of those sources, check with a local university or hospital’s child psychology department, or search through your health insurance provider’s in-network directory.
Summary: Compare the Best Online Therapy for Kids in 2025
Little Otter
5.0
Best for Young Children
Synergy eTherapy
4.8
Best for Autism Support
MDLive
4.5
Read Forbes’ Review
Best Therapist Credentials
Amwell
4.4
Read Forbes’ Review
Best for Insurance
LiveHealth Online
4.1
Read Forbes’ Review
Best Budget
ONLINE THERAPY PLATFORMS FORBES HEALTH RATINGS BEST FOR LEARN MORE
5.0
Best for Young Children
4.8
Best for Autism Support
4.5
Best Therapist Credentials
Read Forbes’ Review
4.4
Best for Insurance
Read Forbes’ Review
4.1
Best Budget
Read Forbes’ Review
Next Up In Mind
Best Online Therapy Services
Best Online Psychiatry Services
Best Online Therapy Services For ADHD
Best Online Therapy For Couples
Best Affordable Online Therapy
5 Best Online Therapy Platforms That Take Insurance
BetterHelp Therapy Review
Brightside Health Online Therapy Review
Talkspace Online Therapy Review
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
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