Online Therapy for Kids

Evidence-based online therapy for children ages 8 to 12, delivered by licensed therapists who specialize in kids. We help your child build practical skills for anxiety, big emotions, behavioral challenges, and everyday struggles through virtual sessions from home.

Licensed child therapists
Evidence-based approaches
Trusted by 2,000+ families
Two girls laughing and hugging outdoors, enjoying a joyful moment together.
Licensed child therapists
Evidence-based approaches
Trusted by 2,000+ families

What Is Online Therapy for Kids?

Therapy is a structured conversation between your child and a licensed mental health professional that helps them understand what they're feeling, why they may be struggling, and what to do about it. It's not just talking about problems. Good therapy teaches kids practical skills they can use every day.
Smiling girl with headphones using laptop at a table in a bright living room.

What Therapy Teaches Your Child

Manage anxiety and worry
Techniques to calm their body and quiet racing thoughts when everything feels scary or too big.
Handle big emotions
Skills for anger, frustration, sadness, and meltdowns that don't involve shutting down or acting out.
Build confidence
Learning to trust themselves, try new things, and stop believing thoughts like "I can't do this" or "everyone hates me."
Get along better with family and friends
Language and techniques that reduce power struggles and strengthen your connection.
Develop better habits
Practical strategies for school, homework, sleep, screens, and daily routines.
Use skills outside of sessions
Coping tools they practice with their therapist and apply at school, at home, and with friends.
Two young girls smiling together, representing youth dermatology and skin care support.

Your Child's Session

45 minutes, once a week, over secure video from any quiet space at home. Every session is tailored to what your child is working through. A child dealing with anxiety will have a very different session than a child navigating ADHD or a family transition.

Built for How Kids Learn

Kids don't respond to therapy the same way adults or teens do. Sessions use games, activities, worksheets, and guided conversations designed specifically for ages 8 to 12. Your child's therapist adjusts the approach based on their age, personality, and what keeps them engaged.

Your Role as the Parent

You don't need to be in the room. Your child meets with their therapist individually. We stay in communication with you so you know what's being worked on and how to support progress at home. For families who want structured support, we also offer parent coaching.

Real Results for Kids and Families

98%

of parents report meaningful improvement in their child's daily life

84%

of kids treated for anxiety show clinical improvement

79%

of kids treated for depression show clinical improvement

How Online Therapy for Kids Works

1

Free Consult with a Parent

Start with a free 30-minute call. This consult is with just the parent or caregiver, so you can share what's going on, ask questions, and learn how we work without your child needing to be on the call. We verify your insurance during this call so you know your exact cost before starting.

2

Therapist Matching

We match your child with a licensed therapist based on their specific needs, age, and personality. No waitlist. Most families are in their first session within a week.

3

Weekly Virtual Sessions

Your child meets with their therapist weekly through secure video, typically 45 minutes. Your therapist starts with an assessment to understand what's going on, then builds a personalized plan with clear goals. Sessions are interactive, age-appropriate, and designed to keep kids engaged. After-school and evening times are available.

What Our Therapists Help Kids With

Our therapists treat the full range of childhood emotional and behavioral challenges. Not sure if your child needs support?
Anxiety
The most common reason families come to us. We treat generalized anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic, and phobias using CBT, the gold-standard treatment for childhood anxiety.
Depression & Mood
Persistent sadness, irritability, withdrawal, or changes in sleep and appetite. We help kids understand their emotions and build practical strategies for managing hard feelings.
Behavioral Challenges
Tantrums, defiance, impulsivity, emotional outbursts. We combine behavioral strategies with CBT, and our parent coaching service gives families tools to manage behavior at home.
ADHD
We support kids with ADHD-related struggles around focus, routines, homework, and emotional regulation, often paired with parent coaching for maximum impact.
School Refusal & Academic Stress
When anxiety or social challenges make school feel impossible, therapy helps kids rebuild confidence and re-engage with school, one step at a time.
OCD
Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that disrupt daily life. Our therapists use ERP (exposure and response prevention), the gold-standard treatment for childhood OCD.
Life Transitions
Divorce, moving, grief, bullying, or a new sibling. Short-term, focused therapy helps kids process change and build resilience.
Trauma
For children who have experienced frightening or harmful events. Our therapists use evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches to help kids feel safe.

Why Handspring is Different

Other Online Therapy Platforms

In-Person Therapy

Specializes in kids
Specializes in kids
Ages 8-12
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Primarily for adults, kids as add-on
Most therapists see all ages
Therapist matching
Therapist matching
Matched to your child's needs and personality
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Pick and choose on your own
Usually 1-2 therapists at that clinic
Therapist quality
Employed, clinically supervised therapists
Employed, clinically supervised
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Independent contractors
Varies by practice
Evidence-based care
Evidence-based care
CBT, ERP, and proven methods for kids
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Varies by therapist
Varies by therapist
Insurance accepted
Insurance accepted
Most major plans, under $30/session
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Varies, few plans accepted
Many only accept a few plans
Waitlist
Waitlist
None. Start within a week.
Depends on platform
Often 4-12 weeks for child specialists
Parent coaching
Parent coaching
Available alongside therapy
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Not offered
Typically not offered

What Parents Are Saying About Therapy for Their Kids

5 stars

"Shanna has been an absolute lifesaver for our son. He began treatment with an anxiety score of 54 and ended at 18. He has grown into a totally different child. She has become part of our family and I am forever grateful for the life she gave back to my son."

Satisfied female client sharing her positive mental health experience with our therapy services for children, teens, and families.
Jessica P.
CA Handspring Mom
5 stars

"Lindsay literally changed not just my daughter's life, but our entire family. We thought we'd have to consider homeschool due to her separation anxiety. She accomplished more in 3 months than I imagined could be done in a year. My daughter has not missed a single day of school this year."

Satisfied female client sharing her positive mental health experience with our therapy services for children, teens, and families.
Hannah D.
NJ Handspring Mom
5 stars

"He's a changed kid for the better. I didn't see him laugh in over a year. It's now a daily occurrence."

Satisfied female client sharing her positive mental health experience with our therapy services for children, teens, and families.
Sarah K.
NY Handspring Mom

Meet our expert therapists

Clinician Headshot

Laura Murillo

LMFT
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Aliza Kaplan

LCSW
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Aurora Butler

LMHC
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Anthony Savio

LPC
Clinician Headshot

Katerina Tegeler

LPC
Clinician Headshot

Christine Saint-Cyr

LPC
Clinician Headshot

Lindsay Gonyeau

LCSW
Clinician Headshot

Serena Bednarczyk

LPC
Clinician Headshot

Sidney Rice

LCSW
Clinician Headshot

Nicole Bieniasz

LCSW
Clinician Headshot

Michael Rodriguez

LPC
Clinician Headshot

Ryan Hutchings

LMFT

Insurance & Pricing for Online Therapy for Kids

No surprise bills. We verify your benefits during the free consult before you commit to anything.

Insurance Accepted

In-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, and Optum.

Under $30 per session

Most Handspring families pay less than $30 per session with insurance.

Free First Consult

Your first 30-minute call is always free. Without insurance, sessions are $125 to $175 depending on your state.

Book free consult
We’ll verify your insurance.

Online Therapy for Kids FAQs

Is online therapy effective for kids?

Yes. Research shows virtual therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for common childhood conditions including anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges. At Handspring, 98% of parents report meaningful improvement in their child's daily life.

What ages does Handspring treat?

Handspring provides online therapy specifically for children ages 8 to 12. We also have dedicated programs for teens ages 13 to 17, college students ages 18 to 22, and young adults ages 23 to 29. For parents of children ages 2 and up, we offer parent coaching as a standalone service.

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

Common signs include persistent anxiety that interferes with daily life, withdrawal from friends or activities, frequent emotional outbursts, trouble sleeping, or declining school performance. If you're not sure, our free consult is designed for exactly this. We also have a guide on our homepage to help you think through whether therapy is the right step.

What does the first session look like?

The first session is an assessment. Your child's therapist gets to know them, asks about what's going on at home and school, and starts building a picture of what they're working through. It's intentionally low-pressure. Your child won't be asked to dive into the hardest stuff right away. By the end, you'll have a sense of the therapist's style and a rough plan for what they'll work on together.

How long does therapy take to work?

Most families see meaningful improvement within 8 to 12 weekly sessions. Treatment length varies by child and condition. Your therapist sets clear goals from the start and tracks progress throughout.

Does Handspring accept my insurance?

Handspring is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Oscar, and Optum. Most families pay under $30 per session. Benefits are verified during your free consult before you commit.

Does my child need a diagnosis to start therapy?

No. Your child doesn't need a formal diagnosis to start at Handspring. During the first few sessions, your child's therapist completes a thorough assessment to understand what's happening and builds a personalized treatment plan. If questions about diagnosis come up along the way, we'll help you navigate that conversation.

Can I sit in on my child's sessions?

For most children ages 8 to 12, we recommend starting with your child meeting the therapist individually. It helps them build trust with the therapist and feel comfortable opening up. Parents stay involved through ongoing communication with the therapist and through our optional parent coaching sessions.

What if my child wants to change therapists?

Building trust with a new therapist takes time, so we typically encourage trying at least a month of weekly sessions before making a change. That said, finding the right fit matters. If it's not working, let us know and we'll rematch your child with another Handspring therapist.

Can we request specific topics or boundaries for sessions?

Yes. During your free consult, you can share any topics or preferences you'd like the therapist to prioritize or avoid. We want both parents and kids to feel comfortable with what's covered in sessions, and our therapists adjust their approach based on what your family needs.

What approaches do Handspring therapists use?

Our therapists primarily use CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), the most researched approach for childhood anxiety and depression. But the approach is always tailored to what your child is working through. Depending on the challenge, therapists may also use behavioral activation, ERP for OCD, play-based techniques, or other evidence-based methods. The goal is always practical skills and measurable progress.

Will my child actually engage with virtual therapy?

This is the most common concern parents have. Sessions are designed specifically for how children ages 8 to 12 engage and learn. Therapists use games, activities, worksheets, and guided conversations to keep kids actively involved. Most kids look forward to their weekly sessions once they've built trust with their therapist.

Does Handspring offer medication management for kids?

Yes. Medication management is available in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida for children who may benefit from a combined therapy and medication approach. Your child's therapist and prescriber coordinate care together.

Who delivers Handspring's online therapy for kids?

All Handspring therapy is delivered by licensed therapists with specialized training in child and adolescent mental health. Every clinician is supported by Handspring's clinical supervision team and reviewed regularly for quality of care.

Get Started with Therapy for Your Child Today

Getting help shouldn't be hard. No waitlist, no referral needed, and your first consult is always free.