Is Online Counseling a Good Option for My Teenager?
By Jessica Tappana Oliver, LCSW, Founder of Aspire Counseling
The teen years are a lot. They're challenging and exciting and scary and amazing—sometimes all in the same day. Your teenager is figuring out who they are.
They're trying on different versions of themselves. They're pulling away from you (which is normal, even if it stings). And sometimes it feels like nobody truly understands them—including themselves.
If your teen is struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or just the overwhelming weight of being a teenager, therapy can help. At Aspire Counseling, our teen counseling in Missouri is designed to help teens understand their feelings and build real coping skills. Aspire Counseling
But getting them there? That's another story.
Maybe you live far from a therapist's office. Maybe your teen's schedule is packed with school, sports, and activities. Or maybe your teenager flat-out refuses to sit in a waiting room.
Here's the good news: online counseling might be the solution you didn't know you needed. Our online therapy in Missouri lets teens meet with a skilled therapist from anywhere in the state.
Working with teens has been one of my favorite parts of my career. There's something special about watching a teenager realize they have more power over their thoughts and feelings than they knew. These days, my schedule works better for adults—but I've hired some incredible therapists who specifically specialize in working with teens.
Our teen therapists (those who really specialize in teen counseling and work primarily with Missouri teenagers), like Ashley and Madi, are based in our Lee's Summit and Columbia offices. But because they offer online therapy, they can work with teenagers anywhere in Missouri. From St. Louis to Springfield. From Kansas City to Cape Girardeau. From small towns in the Ozarks to rural communities in northern Missouri.
If you’d like a deeper dive into how we support teens, you can also read our blog, Starting Teen Counseling in Missouri: Answers to the Questions Teens and Parents Ask Most. Aspire Counseling
Now, let's talk about whether online counseling might be right for your teen.
Does Online Therapy Actually Work for Teenagers?
Yes, online therapy works well for many teenagers. Research shows that virtual counseling can be just as effective as in-person sessions for treating anxiety, depression, and other common teen mental health concerns. Many teens actually prefer it because they feel more comfortable talking from their own space.
Think about it: your teen probably already does much of their socializing online. Video calls with friends. Group chats. Gaming with people across the country. Talking to a therapist through a screen isn't that different.
What matters most is the connection between your teen and their therapist. A good therapist who truly "gets" your kid can make a huge impact—whether they're in the same room or on a screen.
If you want to see how this works at Aspire, our online therapy in Missouri page explains how virtual sessions help teens and families across the state.
Our teen therapists at Aspire Counseling are trained in evidence-based approaches like EMDR, DBT, and TF-CBT. They know how to build trust with teenagers who might be skeptical at first. And they're really good at what they do.
What If My Teen Rolls Their Eyes at the Idea of Online Therapy?
That's completely normal. Some teens think anything online sounds lame. Others worry it won't feel "real" enough. A little skepticism is fine—and honestly, it shows they're thinking critically about what might help them.
Here's what we tell parents: let your teen try it before they judge it.
Virtual counseling isn't for everyone. Some teens genuinely do better in person. But many are surprised by how natural it feels once they actually start.
Your teen might discover they actually prefer talking to someone who:
Doesn't live in their town
Clearly doesn't know their friends or teachers
Won't run into them at Target or the grocery store
Lets them stay in their own comfortable space
Sometimes the distance makes it easier to open up. There's less pressure. Less worry about being judged by someone who might see them at school the next day.
If you or your teen are feeling nervous about getting started, our blog Starting Teen Counseling in Missouri: Answers to the Questions Teens and Parents Ask Most walks through what to expect.
If your teen tries online therapy and hates it, that's okay. We can figure out another plan. But most teens find it's way more comfortable than they expected.
Why Might Online Counseling Be Better Than In-Person for Some Teens?
Online counseling offers flexibility and privacy that can be especially helpful for teenagers. It removes barriers like transportation, scheduling conflicts, and the awkwardness of being seen walking into a therapist's office. For teens in small towns, it also means working with a specialist they couldn't access locally.
Let me break down some specific reasons online therapy works well for teens:
Privacy in small communities. If you live in a small Missouri town—whether that's Kirksville, Warrensburg, Poplar Bluff, or anywhere else where everyone knows everyone—privacy matters. Running into your therapist at the football game or the grocery store can feel weird for a teenager. Online therapy means your teen can work with someone who's completely separate from their daily life.
Easier scheduling. Teens are busy. Between school, homework, sports, jobs, and social activities, finding time for therapy can feel impossible. Online sessions can happen during a free period at school, over lunch, or right after the last bell. No driving across town. No sitting in traffic on I-70 or Highway 71.
Comfort of their own space. Some teens feel safest in their bedroom. They can curl up on their bed with their favorite blanket, have their pet nearby, and talk to their therapist from a place that feels truly theirs. That comfort can help them open up more easily.
Better access to specialists. Maybe your teen needs a therapist trained in a specific approach—like EMDR for trauma or ERP for OCD. Those specialists might not exist in your area. Online therapy means your teen can work with an expert no matter where you live in Missouri.
Can My Teen Do Therapy From Their Car?
Yes, but with some important caveats. The car can actually be a great private space for a therapy session—as long as your teen isn't driving and they're parked somewhere quiet and private.
Here's what works: Your teen drives to a quiet parking lot a few blocks from school, parks the car, and does their session from there. Maybe it's a church parking lot. Maybe it's a neighborhood park. Somewhere they can talk freely without being overheard.
Here's what doesn't work: Doing therapy in the school parking lot. There's too much potential for friends to walk by, knock on the window, or overhear something. The whole point of having a private space is that it's actually private.
Some teens do their sessions from their car because it's the only place they have true privacy at home. That's totally fine. We just ask that they're stationary, safe, and somewhere they can talk openly.
How Does Online Therapy Help Teens With Anxiety?
One major benefit for anxious teens is that online therapy lets them "bring their therapist with them" during exposure exercises. Instead of just talking about scary situations, they can practice facing them in real time—with their therapist right there on the screen providing support.
Here's an example: Let's say your teen has anxiety about germs. In a traditional therapy session, they might talk about touching something "contaminated" and how they'd handle it. But with online therapy, they can actually do it. They can walk to the kitchen with their phone or laptop, touch the thing that grosses them out, and process it with their therapist in the moment.
This kind of real-world practice is called exposure therapy. And it's incredibly effective for anxiety. Online sessions make it easier because your teen is already in their environment. They don't have to imagine what it would be like to face their fear—they can just do it.
Other ways online therapy helps anxious teens:
Less anxiety about the therapy appointment itself (no new building, no waiting room, no strangers)
The ability to show their therapist their actual environment
Quick, regular check-ins that fit into their schedule
Practice using coping skills in real-life situations
If you’d like to learn more about how we treat anxiety, our Anxiety Treatment in Missouri page explains our approach in both Columbia and Lee’s Summit as well as online.
You can also share our blogs with your teen, like Your Complete Guide to Online Anxiety Treatment or What Are 5 Coping Skills for Anxiety?
What Do Teen Therapists at Aspire Counseling Specialize In?
Our teen therapists specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, and OCD. They're based out of our Columbia and Lee's Summit offices—but because they offer online therapy, they work with teenagers all across Missouri. From the Kansas City suburbs to small towns in the Ozarks, your teen can access specialized care from home.
Here's the honest truth: we may not be the right fit for every teenager.
If your teen just needs someone to vent to about their week, a therapist on your insurance panel can be a fantastic option for that. We're not the practice for casual check-ins or general life coaching.
We're here for the teens who are really struggling.
The ones with anxiety so intense they're afraid to go to school. The ones who have trouble making friends because worry gets in the way. The ones who cry the night before a test, convinced they're "stupid"—or feel physically sick the morning of a presentation.
We're here for the teens with OCD. The ones with worries that pop into their head automatically and won't leave. The ones who need constant reassurance from parents, or wash their hands until they're raw, or have little "quirks" they have to do just to get through most days.
We're here for the teens who went through something they can't seem to move past. Sometimes it's something that didn't even seem "traumatic" to the parents—like a big move or a friendship ending badly—but the teen is stuck. Other times it's more obvious trauma: an assault, a parent going to jail, a nasty custody battle, or the death of someone close to them.
If your teenager needs more than "how was your week," we offer structured, evidence-based help that actually makes a difference. Our therapists use approaches like EMDR, DBT, TF-CBT, and ERP—methods proven to help teens heal, not just cope.
Online therapy means your teen can access this kind of specialized care no matter where you live in Missouri.
How Do I Know If My Teen Needs Therapy?
If worry, sadness, or stress is getting in the way of your teen's daily life, therapy can help. Signs might include avoiding school or social activities, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawal from family, irritability that seems out of proportion, or your teen telling you directly that they're struggling.
Here's the thing: you don't have to wait until things are really bad. Therapy isn't just for crisis moments. It's also for the teen who seems fine on the surface but is quietly struggling. Or the teen who used to love soccer but now can't get off the couch. Or the teen who snaps at everyone and then feels terrible about it.
Trust your gut. If something feels off with your kid, it probably is. And getting support early—before things spiral—can make a huge difference.
You might also consider therapy if your teen is going through a big transition: starting high school, parents divorcing, moving to a new town, losing a friend or family member. These moments are hard for anyone. Having someone to talk to can help your teen navigate them more smoothly.
If you’re specifically wondering about a younger teen, our blog Therapy for 13-Year-Olds: When it Can Help, What to Expect & How to Find a Local Therapist may be helpful.
How Do We Get Started With Online Teen Therapy?
Getting started is simple. Reach out to us through our website or give us a call. We'll have a quick conversation to learn about your teen and what's going on. Then we'll match your teenager with a therapist who's a good fit for their personality and needs.
Here's what to expect:
Step 1: Contact Aspire Counseling. You can call us at 573-328-2288. Our Client Care team will ask a few questions to understand what you're looking for.
Step 2: We'll schedule a consultation. This might be a brief call with one of our teen therapists so your teen can get a feel for whether it's a good match.
Step 3: Start therapy. Sessions happen through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Your teen just needs a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera—and a private space to talk.
We work with families all over Missouri. Whether you're in the Kansas City suburbs, mid-Missouri, the Bootheel, or a small town you have to explain to people, we can help. Our Lee's Summit and Columbia offices offer in-person sessions too, if that ends up being a better fit.
Ready to Help Your Teen Feel Better?
Your teenager doesn't have to keep struggling alone. And you don't have to figure this out by yourself either.
Online counseling gives your teen access to specialized, compassionate care—no matter where you live in Missouri. It meets them where they are, both literally and emotionally.
If you're ready to take the next step, we're here. Reach out to Aspire Counseling today to schedule a consultation. You can contact us online or call 573-328-2288 to get started.
Let's talk about what your teen needs and how we can help.
Contact Aspire Counseling
Contact Aspire Counseling Aspire Counseling
Phone: 573-328-2288
Offices in Columbia & Lee’s Summit, serving teens online throughout Missouri.
About the Author
Jessica Tappana Oliver, LCSW, founded Aspire Counseling to provide trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy for individuals and families throughout Missouri. As a former teen therapist herself, Jessica understands the unique challenges of adolescence and has built a team of specialists dedicated to helping young people thrive. Aspire Counseling offers both in-person sessions at their Columbia and Lee's Summit offices and online therapy throughout Missouri. Aspire Counseling When she's not running the practice, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and cheering for the Chiefs.
