Online Therapy for Teens

Evidence-based teen therapy and counseling for ages 13 to 17, delivered by licensed therapists who specialize in adolescents. We help teens build real skills for anxiety, depression, social challenges, and more through virtual sessions that fit around school and life.

Licensed teen therapists
Evidence-based approaches
Trusted by 2,000+ families
Young woman wearing a dark green hoodie and wireless earbuds, looking confidently at the camera.
Licensed teen therapists
Evidence-based approaches
Trusted by 2,000+ families

What Is Online Therapy for Teens?

Therapy is a structured conversation with a licensed mental health professional that helps your teen understand what they're feeling, why they're struggling, and what to do about it. It's not just talking about problems. Good therapy teaches practical skills your teen can use every day.
Boy wearing earphones sitting at desk, smiling and looking at laptop screen while studying.

What Therapy Teaches Your Teen

Manage anxiety and worry
Techniques to calm their body and quiet racing thoughts when everything feels scary or too big.
Challenge negative thinking
How to catch and reframe thoughts like "I'm not good enough" or "everyone hates me."
Handle emotions without shutting down
Skills for sadness, anger, frustration, and low motivation that don't involve avoidance.
Build better daily habits
Practical strategies for school, sleep, screens, friendships, and family routines.
Talk through the hard stuff
A confidential space to process things they may not feel comfortable saying to a parent.
Use skills outside of sessions
Coping tools they practice in therapy and apply at school, at home, and with friends.
Two girls laughing and hugging outdoors, enjoying a joyful moment together.

Evidence-based, not one-size-fits-all

Our therapists primarily use CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) but always tailor the approach to your teen. Depending on the challenge, they may also use behavioral activation, exposure therapy, or other proven methods. Sessions are structured, progress is tracked, and there's a clear plan from the start.

Designed for how teens engage

Teens don't respond to therapy the same way adults do. Our therapists are trained in adolescent development and use interactive techniques, real-life scenarios, and guided practice that meet teenagers where they are.

Why virtual works for teens

No waiting room awkwardness, no being "seen" at a therapist's office, no missing school. Your teen joins from their bedroom or any private space. For most teenagers, the virtual format actually makes it easier to open up.

Real Results for Teens and Families

98%

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

84%

of teens treated for anxiety show clinical improvement

79%

of teens treated for depression show clinical improvement

How Online Teen Therapy Works

1

Free Consult

Start with a free 30-minute call. In most states, this consult is with a parent or caregiver, so you can share what's going on, ask questions, and learn how we work. In Washington, teens 13 and older can book and attend the consult on their own. In Pennsylvania, teens 16 and older can do the same. We verify insurance during this call so you know your exact cost before starting.

2

Therapist Matching

We match your teen with a licensed therapist based on their specific concerns, personality, and goals. There is no waitlist. Most families are in their first session within a week of the consult.

3

Assessment & Goals

The therapist completes a thorough assessment and develops a personalized plan with clear, measurable goals. These goals are shared with you so everyone is aligned from the start.

What Our Therapists Help Teens With

Anxiety
The most common reason teens come to Handspring. Our therapists provide teen anxiety therapy using CBT, the gold-standard treatment. We treat generalized anxiety, social anxiety, test anxiety, panic attacks, and performance anxiety in teens ages 13 to 17.
Depression & Mood
Teen depression often shows up as irritability, withdrawal, sleeping too much, declining grades, or emptiness. Our teen depression therapy uses CBT and behavioral activation to help teenagers reconnect with what matters and build momentum.
OCD
Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that interfere with school, friendships, and daily life. Our therapists use ERP (exposure and response prevention), the gold-standard treatment for teen OCD therapy.
ADHD & Executive Function
Homework management, time management, emotional regulation, self-advocacy. Our teen ADHD therapy helps adolescents build executive function skills that prepare them for independence.
Anger & Emotional Regulation
Frequent outbursts, irritability, difficulty managing frustration, or conflicts that escalate quickly. Teen anger management through CBT helps adolescents understand their triggers and develop healthier responses in the moment.
Social Challenges
Navigating friendships, social media, bullying, romantic relationships, and peer pressure. Teen counseling gives your teenager tools to set boundaries, manage conflict, and build genuine confidence.
Academic Stress & School Refusal
When grades, tests, college apps, or just showing up feels overwhelming, teen therapy helps your teenager develop strategies to manage pressure without shutting down.
Self-Esteem & Identity
A nonjudgmental space to explore identity, build self-worth, and develop a healthier relationship with themselves, especially in the context of social media and comparison culture.
Family Conflict
When the parent-teen relationship is strained, teen counseling helps your teenager communicate effectively. We also offer parent coaching to give parents tools for navigating this stage.
Trauma
For teens who have experienced abuse, violence, loss, or other traumatic events. Our therapists use evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches to help adolescents process their experiences safely.

How Handspring Compares

BetterHelp

In-person Therapy

Specializes in teens
Specializes in teens
Ages 13-17 only
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Primarily for adults, teen option available
Most see all ages
Therapist quality
Employed, clinically supervised therapists
Employed, clinically supervised
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Independent contractors, no supervision
1-3 therapists, no supervision
Evidence-based care
Evidence-based care
CBT and other proven methods
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Varies by therapist
Varies by therapist
Insurance accepted
Insurance accepted
Most major plans, under $30/session
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Some plans accepted, coverage varies
Typically few plans accepted
No waitlist
No waitlist
None. Start within a week.
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None or minimal
Often 4-12 weeks
Parent coaching
Parent coaching
Available as standalone or alongside therapy
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Not offered
Varies by therapist
Privacy for teens
Privacy for teens
 From their bedroom
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From anywhere
Waiting room, may be seen
Scheduling
Flexible scheduling
After-school, evenings, no commute
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Flexible, text + video
Office hours, commute required

What Parents Are Saying About Teen Therapy

5 stars

"Alexis was amazing with my teenage son. She got him to open up, talk about the issues he was facing, and helped his dad and I come together as a family unit. Her time, patience, and guidance over the last 7 months made all the difference."

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

"Lindsey was heaven-sent for our teen daughter. So much forward progress took place! Even when 2 hurricanes hit our area, Lindsey was in constant contact as a support system for our teen. She returned the sparkle back to my daughter's eyes."

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

"Alexis was great with my teen son who was nervous about therapy. She was communicative with me on what was being worked on and tried different strategies with him. Her warmth and expertise made it work."

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

Aurora Butler

LMHC
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Nicole Bieniasz

LCSW
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Anthony Savio

LPC
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Ryan Hutchings

LMFT
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Lindsay Gonyeau

LCSW
Clinician Headshot

Christine Saint-Cyr

LPC
Clinician Headshot

Aliza Kaplan

LCSW
Clinician Headshot

Michael Rodriguez

LPC
Clinician Headshot

Sidney Rice

LCSW
Clinician Headshot

Serena Bednarczyk

LPC
Clinician Headshot

Laura Murillo

LMFT
Clinician Headshot

Katerina Tegeler

LPC

Insurance & Pricing for Online Teen Therapy

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 Teen Therapy FAQs

Is online therapy effective for teenagers?

Yes. Research shows virtual therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for teen anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges. At Handspring, 84% of teens treated for anxiety and 79% treated for depression showed clinical improvement.

How do I convince my teenager to try therapy?

Frame it as skill-building, not a sign something is "wrong." Give your teen some control by letting them try a session and decide. The virtual format helps since it removes the awkwardness of going to an office. Our intake team can also offer guidance on how to have the conversation.

Will I know what my teen talks about in sessions?

Your teen's sessions are confidential, which is essential for building trust. You stay informed through regular check-ins with the therapist about progress and general themes. Safety concerns are always communicated immediately.

What ages does Handspring treat?

Handspring provides teen therapy for ages 13 to 17. We also have a dedicated program for children ages 8 to 12 and young adults ages 18 to 29. For parents of children ages 2 and up, we offer parent coaching as a standalone service.

How long does teen therapy take?

Most families see meaningful improvement within 8 to 16 weekly sessions. Therapy is goal-oriented with clear targets set from the start. The aim is lasting skills, not open-ended treatment.

Can my teen do sessions from school?

Yes, if they have a private space with internet access. Most families prefer after-school or evening sessions, and our therapists offer flexible scheduling.

What if my teen doesn't connect with their therapist?

We encourage trying at least a month of weekly sessions before making a change, since building trust with a teenager takes time. If it's not the right fit, let us know and we'll rematch your teen with another Handspring therapist at no extra cost.

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 teens to feel comfortable with what's covered, and our therapists adjust their approach based on what your family needs.

Does my teen need a diagnosis to start?

No. Your teen doesn't need a formal diagnosis to begin therapy at Handspring. The therapist completes a thorough assessment in the first few sessions and develops a personalized treatment plan. If questions about diagnosis come up, we'll help you navigate that.

What approaches do Handspring therapists use?

Our therapists primarily use CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), the most researched approach for teen anxiety and depression. But the approach is always tailored to what your teen is working through. Depending on the challenge, therapists may also use behavioral activation, exposure therapy, ERP for OCD, or other evidence-based methods. The goal is always practical skills and measurable progress, not open-ended talk.

Can my teen sign up for therapy on their own?

In Washington, teens 13 and older can book their own consult and start therapy independently. In Pennsylvania, teens 16 and older can do the same. In all other states, a parent or legal guardian books the consult. Once therapy is underway, sessions are always confidential regardless of state.

Does Handspring offer medication management for teens?

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

Who delivers Handspring's teen therapy?

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 Teen Therapy Today

Adolescence is hard enough without anxiety, depression, or social challenges making it harder. No waitlist, no referral needed, and your first consult is always free.