Does Telehealth Really Work for Kids & Teens? What Parents Should Know

By: Dr. Lana Mahgoub, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

If you’re a parent considering therapy for your child or teen, you may be wondering: “Can virtual therapy really be effective for kids?”

This is a common and very reasonable question I hear from parents. When it comes to your child’s mental health, you want care that is effective, supportive, and grounded in real science.

The reassuring and short answer is yes, telehealth therapy for children and teens is effective, especially when it’s delivered using evidence-based approaches by a trained child psychologist. 

In many cases, it also offers unique benefits that in-person therapy simply can’t.

Below is information based on what the research says, and what this means for your family.

Telehealth Therapy for Children & Teens Is Research-Backed

Telehealth isn’t a shortcut or a lesser form of care. It has been carefully studied over many years, particularly for children and adolescents.

The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that telehealth is an effective way to deliver mental health treatment for youth, with outcomes comparable to in-person therapy for many concerns, including anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched treatments for children and teens. Research shows that CBT delivered virtually leads to similar improvements in anxiety and mood symptoms as in-office treatment.

In other words, kids are learning to manage worries, build coping skills, and improve emotional regulation, even when sessions happen online. What matters most is the quality and structure of the therapy, not the physical location.

Why Telehealth Can Be Especially Helpful for Kids & Teens

Greater Accessibility for Families

Many families struggle to find specialized child and teen mental health providers nearby, especially those trained in evidence-based care. Telehealth removes geographic barriers and allows families to access the right provider, not just the closest one. This can be especially helpful for families facing long local waitlists, transportation challenges, or busy work and school schedules. 

Flexibility That Supports Consistency

Therapy works best when it’s consistent. Telehealth offers flexibility that helps families maintain regular appointments, which leads to stronger progress over time. Without long commutes, therapy can fit more naturally into your child’s routine, often even with schools accommodating school-time appointments, making it easier to stick with care when things get busy.

Comfort & Reduced Anxiety 

Many children feel more relaxed and open when they’re in their own environment. For kids with anxiety, trauma, sensory sensitivities, or social worries, being in the comfort of their own home and starting treatment in familiar local community surroundings (especially for anxiety exposure work) can significantly reduce stress. When children feel comfortable, they’re also often more willing to participate and better able to practice new skills. 

Real-Life Insight Into Your Child’s World

One unique benefit of telehealth is that the therapist gains a real-time view into your child’s natural environment. For parent-focused treatments like Parent Management Training (PMT) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), this can be incredibly effective. Coaching happens where behaviors actually occur, during daily routines, transitions, and real interactions at home.

Research shows that telehealth-delivered PCIT improves child behavior and strengthens parent-child relationships, while also offering parents practical, usable skills.

Better Skill Generalization

One of the biggest challenges in therapy is helping kids use skills outside of sessions. Telehealth often allows children and parents to practice strategies right where they’re needed most, making it easier for those skills to carry over into daily life.

Instead of learning tools in an office and hoping they transfer home, families practice them in real time, in real situations.

Are There Times When Virtual Therapy May Not Be the Best Fit?

As with any form of care, telehealth isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are certain situations, such as active safety concerns and technology or privacy limitations, where the need for in-person support or higher-level services may be more appropriate.

That’s why at Unity Kids Behavioral Health, every family begins with a thoughtful consultation and/or detailed clinical intake assessment. My role is to help you determine the best level and format of care for your child, even if that means recommending in-person services or additional supports.

For many children and teens, especially when parents are involved and evidence-based approaches are used, virtual therapy is not only appropriate but highly effective.

Telehealth at Unity Kids Behavioral Health

Unity Kids Behavioral Health is proudly registered in Sterling, Virginia, and provides virtual therapy for children, teens, young adults, and parents throughout Virginia and PSYPACT-participating states.

If you’re currently looking for virtual therapy for your child or teen in Sterling, VA, or anywhere in Virginia or a PSYPACT state, and want care that is compassionate, research-backed, and family-centered, I’d be honored to support your family.

Reach out to book an intake appointment today: Contact