Your Dog Can Come to Therapy

The Surprising Benefits of Telehealth for Children, Teens, and Adults

Picture this.

It's 5:45 PM on a Tuesday.

One child needs to be picked up from soccer. Another has dance class across town. Homework needs to get started. Dinner hasn't been made. The family calendar looks like a complicated game of Tetris. And in the middle of all of that, therapy still happens.

Your child grabs their favorite stuffed animal, settles into a comfy spot at home, and logs into their session from an iPad. No extra driving, rushing across town or spending an hour in the car for a 50-minute appointment.

Now picture a teenager.

Their day started before sunrise and is filled with school, sports, clubs, SAT prep and  homework until late at night.

Instead of adding another stop to an already packed schedule, they head to their room, curl up with the family dog, pull a blanket over their lap, and snuggle up for therapy.

What about you?

Maybe you're an adult who has spent months searching for a therapist who truly feels like the right fit. You finally find someone whose style resonates with you or you heard about from a trusted friend. You feel hopeful for the first time in a while. The only problem? They're too far away to make a weekly commitment realistic. You ask yourself, where would I even fit this in my schedule?

With telehealth, distance isn’t a limitation. You can access the support you're looking for from the comfort of your own home (or for some of you, your car 😉)

My Journey into Telehealth

When telehealth became necessary in 2020, I wasn’t new to it. I had conducted telehealth with adult clients who lived out of state, who were recovering from surgery, or just preferred virtual. But when it came to kids and teens, I, like many people, viewed telehealth in 2020 as a temporary situation.

What I've discovered as a psychologist is that for many kids and teens, as well as adults, telehealth wasn’t just a substitute for in-person therapy.

FOR SOME IT OFFERED UNIQUE ADVANTAGES THAT ACTUALLY ENHANCED THE THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCE.

If that surprises you, here are some reasons why.

THERAPY WORKS BEST WHEN YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE

For many children, being at home helps them relax more quickly. I've met beloved family pets, favorite stuffed animals, siblings, and treasured collections. I've held sessions from bedrooms, sensory tents, hammocks, desks, couches, back porches, and cozy corners of the house.

Children who struggle with anxiety often do better in a familiar environment where they already feel safe. The comfort of home can make it easier to open up, participate, and engage in therapy. (And let's be honest. Kids aren’t the only ones who like having their dog in session!)

FEWER TRANSITIONS FOR KIDS WHO FIND TRANSITIONS HARD

For some children, the hardest part of therapy isn't the therapy itself. It's stopping what they're doing, getting into the car, arriving somewhere new, and then making the transition back home afterward. Children who are Autistic, anxious, have ADHD or sensory differences, or simply have a strong preference for predictability, may find these transitions particularly taxing.

Telehealth removes several of those steps. Instead of navigating multiple transitions, they move from their everyday environment directly into session. For many families, that reduction in stress makes a huge difference.

LESS TIME IN THE CAR

One of the biggest benefits is also one of the simplest. Telehealth eliminates travel time. Families save hours each month by avoiding trips to and from appointments. Busy parents spend less time coordinating schedules and sitting in traffic. Teens can fit therapy into packed academic and extracurricular calendars. Adults can attend sessions during a lunch break or before picking up their children. Therapy becomes easier to access because it fits more naturally into everyday life.

HELPFUL FOR FAMILIES MANAGING MULTIPLE SERVICES

Many of the families I work with are already juggling numerous appointments. Occupational therapy, speech therapy, tutoring, medical appointments. And that’s on top of activities and sports. Adding another commute can feel overwhelming or even impossible. Telehealth can reduce some of that logistical burden while still allowing children and families to access consistent support.

ACCESS TO THE RIGHT FIT

Telehealth expands your options. Rather than limiting your search to a small geographic area, you may be able to connect with a therapist who specializes in exactly what you're looking for, provided they are licensed in your state. For many people, this expanded access has been one of the greatest gifts of virtual therapy. I love that I can work with clients who I have never met in person, but still feel so connected to. It's a true gift.

But My Kid Isn’t Going to Sit and Talk

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about telehealth. Many people imagine a child staring at a screen while an adult asks questions. Yikes!

IN REALITY, MY VIRTUAL SESSIONS WITH CHILDREN AND TEENS ARE PLAYFUL AND INTERACTIVE.

We create art together using digital platforms. We play online games. We do scavenger hunts. We use worksheets, visual tools, and creative activities. Sometimes I even ship art supplies, fidgets or other items to your house that can be used during sessions. And boy do they love sharing their screen to show me their world!

Learning, creating, exploring, processing emotions, building skills, and strengthening connections; that’s all still happening. It just looks a little different.

Does Therapy Still Work Virtually?

Research shows that telehealth is as clinically effective as in-person therapy. The most powerful therapeutic tool is the relationship, not my office furniture (although I do love my purple chair). When you have a safe space to explore challenges, build insight and learn new skills, you grow and heal. That can take place anywhere, including online.

Disclaimer With a Silver Lining

Telehealth isn't the right fit for every person or every situation. Very young children or children with significant impulse control challenges might find having a device too tempting to stay safe. And some just plain ol’ dislike it. But for many children, teens, and adults, it offers flexibility, comfort, accessibility, and connection that might not otherwise be possible.

If you've been curious about telehealth, but weren't sure what it might look like, I hope this gives you a clearer picture. Sometimes support looks like driving to an office that is removed from your daily life. And sometimes it looks like logging in from your couch with your dog beside you and a cup of coffee in your hand.

Either way, the goal remains the same: creating a space where healing, growth, and meaningful connection can happen.

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Check out our FAQ page on telehealth for more information.

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