Telehealth continues to grow in popularity due to its convenience and accessibility, even for those who live in areas with limited healthcare resources. One of the latest iterations is teletherapy. Parents may consider whether teletherapy is a good option for their children or whether a more conventional in-person approach is best.
What is Teletherapy?
Telehealth, particularly teletherapy, offers children many of the same treatments available during in-person sessions, but performed via online video conferencing software. This allows both therapists and children to see and hear each other while engaging in therapy without having to be in the same room.
What Types of Teletherapy Are Available?
Most forms of therapy can now be at least partially performed virtually. This can include mental health therapy and counseling, occupational therapy, and even physical therapy. Not all practices offer this as an option, but those that do often provide digital tools to support at-home learning between sessions. For example, Occupational Therapists might share handwriting practice workbooks or fine motor skill activities that families can complete together. These resources help reinforce therapy goals and keep kids engaged outside of scheduled appointments.
Benefits of Teletherapy for Kids
When deciding what methodology will work best for your child, you may have questions about teletherapy and what the benefits are over a conventional in-person approach. While both methods have their place, teletherapy has unique advantages. These may include:
Accessibility
Children who need specialized therapies in rural areas or locations with limited healthcare options gain access to professionals across the country through telehealth. This reduces travel expenses for families and prevents children from being delayed in receiving necessary services. Having access to a wider pool of providers can be especially beneficial for children with complex needs.
Comfort
Because teletherapy allows children to attend sessions from home, many find the experience more comfortable than attending in-person sessions. Being able to talk with the therapist in familiar surroundings may help them open up more quickly and begin reaping the benefits of therapy sooner.
Familiarity With Tech
While teletherapy may be a new idea for parents, using technology to stay in touch is the preference of many children. They are often already using screen-to-screen technologies to chat with friends, teachers, and parents. This gives them a level of familiarity and comfort when engaging that they may not experience when going to a therapist’s office. Some children also enjoy trying out new programs and abilities during sessions, such as playing therapy games.
Common Concerns
Many parents worry their child won’t get as much from therapy when performed online vs. more conventional methods. Emerging studies show these fears are largely unwarranted. Children, overall, progress as quickly during teletherapy as they do during in-person sessions. Some children even perform better while using telehealth.
Studies have also found that patients and therapists develop rapport and closeness equally well utilizing both methods. The most important aspect is finding a therapist who meets your needs and makes your child feel at ease.
Teletherapy Drawbacks
As with anything, there are some disadvantages to teletherapy that should be kept in mind when making a decision. These can include:
Privacy Concerns
Nothing performed online is 100% without risk of a privacy breach. While most practices have stringent online security in place, there is always a risk of your data being stolen or hacked.
Evaluation Limitations
Not all types of evaluations and therapies can be done remotely. In some cases, your child will need to work alongside a therapist to achieve the best results. This is especially true for some types of physical therapy. In many instances, a combination of teletherapy and in-person therapy works best.
Connection Problems
Those with slow or spotty internet connections may find teletherapy cumbersome if not impossible. Some programs may also work better on a tablet or PC rather than a phone or smart device. Those without the means to acquire the proper equipment may be limited in teletherapy options.
Provider Concerns
Teletherapy sessions often require more work for providers, as there is equipment to set up and, sometimes, additional documentation. Some areas also have restraints or additional laws in place for those who wish to offer teletherapy as a service.
Patient Bonding
While overall studies have shown that children connect and bond with their therapists online just as easily as in-person, this isn’t true for everyone. For some, body language and non-verbal cues are important for communication. These can be more difficult to decipher during telehealth appointments. Other children just feel more connected to someone they can physically see, hear, and touch versus interacting with someone on a screen. The in-person aspect may make the therapist seem more “real” to some children.
Age Limitations
Very young children who don’t yet have full use of their verbal and written communication skills may find teletherapy more difficult. Certain types of therapy catered toward these age groups, such as play therapy, may be more limited in teletherapy options.
Making a Decision
When choosing between in-person and teletherapy, it comes down to personal preference and what works best for your child and family. If you live in an area with limited options, teletherapy may be an obvious choice. If both options are readily available, here are a few things you can do to help make the decision easier:
Talk to Your Child
Having a discussion with the child who will be attending therapy may provide the insight needed to come to a final decision. Children are often more engaged and cooperative when they have agency in the decision-making process.
Ask for a Trial
Some providers may allow you to try teletherapy and then move to a more conventional model if you or your child prefers, at a later time. You may also be able to combine the two methods depending on the session and what skills your child will be working on.
Get Expert Advice
Your therapist may wish to proceed with teletherapy or in-person therapy, depending on the initial evaluation. While the decision is ultimately yours, following the therapist’s advice for care is often the best way to go unless you have a strong objection.
No matter which method you choose, the most important things are finding a therapist who makes your child comfortable and being consistent with the therapies offered.
