Teletherapy for Children, Teens, and Families in Michigan
Teletherapy allows children, teens, parents, and families to participate in therapy through secure video appointments from the comfort of home. Kalamazoo Child & Family Counseling provides online therapy for families located throughout Michigan when telehealth is clinically appropriate for the requested service.
Virtual appointments can make therapy more accessible for families managing busy schedules, transportation difficulties, health concerns, or limited access to specialized mental health providers.
What Is Teletherapy?
Teletherapy—also called telehealth, online therapy, or virtual therapy—is counseling provided through secure videoconferencing technology. Instead of traveling to an office, you and your child meet with your therapist through a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Depending on your child’s age and treatment needs, an online appointment may involve:
- Individual therapy with a child or teenager
- Parent or caregiver participation
- Family therapy
- Parent coaching
- Play-based or activity-based interventions
- Medication evaluation and follow-up
- A combination of child, parent, and family sessions
Your provider will help determine how to structure appointments in a way that supports your child’s development, treatment goals, privacy, and ability to participate.
Does Teletherapy Work for Children and Teens?
Teletherapy can be an effective way to provide mental health treatment to children and adolescents. Research and clinical experience indicate that many evidence-based treatments can be delivered successfully through secure video appointments when the treatment is thoughtfully adapted for the child and family.
The quality of the therapeutic relationship, caregiver involvement, privacy, technology, and the child’s ability to engage all influence how well teletherapy works. Some children feel more comfortable talking from home, while others find it easier to focus and connect with a therapist in person.
Teletherapy is not automatically the best choice for every child or every situation. Our team considers your child’s age, developmental needs, symptoms, safety, treatment goals, and home environment before recommending virtual care.
For a closer look at the research and practical considerations, read our guide to whether teletherapy works for children.
How Evidence-Based Services Can Work Through Telehealth
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) can be provided through telehealth when the child has sufficient privacy, appropriate caregiver support, and a safe environment in which to participate.
Virtual TF-CBT may include individual time with the child, caregiver sessions, coping-skills development, gradual trauma processing, and joint child-caregiver work. Research supports the feasibility of delivering TF-CBT remotely, although the therapist must carefully assess safety, privacy, engagement, and the child’s readiness for trauma-focused treatment.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Teens
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and DBT-informed treatment can also be provided virtually. Online sessions may help teens learn and practice mindfulness, emotion-regulation, distress-tolerance, and relationship skills in the environments where they use those skills every day.
Virtual DBT requires thoughtful planning around engagement, privacy, parent involvement, and safety. Teletherapy may be appropriate for some teens receiving outpatient treatment, while teens who need more structure or intensive support may benefit from in-person services or a higher level of care.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is particularly well suited to telehealth because the therapist can observe and coach the caregiver while the caregiver interacts with the child at home.
Research on internet-delivered PCIT has found meaningful improvements in children’s behavior and parenting skills. Virtual PCIT also allows families to practice new skills in the setting where many challenging behaviors occur.
Telehealth PCIT requires a suitable play area, a clear camera view, and headphones or an earpiece so the caregiver can hear the therapist’s coaching. Your clinician will help you prepare the space and technology before coaching sessions begin.
Medication Evaluation and Management
Psychiatric evaluation and medication-management appointments may be available through telehealth. Research supports telehealth as a useful way to expand access to pediatric mental health assessment and ongoing medication care, particularly for families who live far from specialized providers.
During virtual appointments, the provider may review symptoms, functioning, medication response, side effects, sleep, appetite, and information from parents, schools, or other members of the treatment team.
Some circumstances may still require an in-person appointment, physical examination, laboratory testing, blood-pressure or heart-rate measurements, or other medical monitoring. Your provider will explain what is needed for safe and appropriate care.
Interested in a virtual medication appointment? Learn about our pediatric medication-management services and use the clinic’s request process. Availability and the need for in-person monitoring depend on your child’s care.
Is Teletherapy a Good Fit for My Child?
Teletherapy may be a good option when your child or teen:
- Can participate in age-appropriate conversation, play, or therapeutic activities through video
- Feels comfortable communicating through a screen
- Has access to a reasonably private and quiet space
- Has a parent or caregiver available when involvement or supervision is needed
- Has reliable access to an internet-connected device
- Would benefit from avoiding transportation or scheduling barriers
- Needs a specialized service that may not be available nearby
- Feels more comfortable beginning therapy from a familiar environment
Younger children do not necessarily need to sit and talk directly to a therapist for an entire appointment. Their treatment may rely more heavily on caregiver participation, play, observation, and live parent coaching.
When In-Person Therapy May Be a Better Choice
In-person therapy may be recommended when:
- Your child has difficulty remaining engaged through video
- Privacy cannot be maintained at home
- Technology problems regularly interfere with communication
- The therapist needs to complete an assessment that cannot be performed appropriately online
- Your child would benefit from specialized materials or an office-based therapeutic environment
- There are significant safety concerns requiring closer monitoring or a higher level of care
- Your child strongly prefers meeting with a therapist in person
The decision does not have to be permanent. When clinically appropriate, some families may begin online and later transition to the office, begin in person and later use teletherapy, or use a combination of the two.
Teletherapy Services Available at KCFC
Depending on clinical appropriateness, provider availability, insurance coverage, and the family’s location, telehealth services may include:
- Initial intake appointments and assessments
- Therapy for anxiety and worry
- Therapy for depression and mood concerns
- Trauma treatment and TF-CBT
- DBT skills and DBT-informed therapy for teens
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
- Parent support and caregiver coaching
- Family therapy
- Infant and early childhood mental health services
- Therapy for pregnant and postpartum parents
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
Not every provider or service is available through telehealth at all times. Our team will review your request and help determine whether we have an appropriate online provider for your family.
How to Get Started With Teletherapy
1. Tell us what your family needs.
Complete our therapy request form and provide basic information about your child, your concerns, your insurance, and your scheduling preferences.
2. We review your request.
Our team considers your family’s needs, your child’s age, the requested service, provider availability, insurance coverage, and whether teletherapy appears clinically appropriate.
3. We contact you about possible options.
If we have an appropriate provider, our team will contact you to discuss availability and schedule an intake appointment.
4. Your provider develops a treatment plan with you.
During the intake process, your provider will learn about your concerns, discuss treatment goals, and determine how virtual appointments can best support your child and family.
What Do I Need for a Teletherapy Appointment?
Most families can participate using equipment they already have. You will generally need:
- A computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera, microphone, and speakers
- A reliable internet connection
- A private or reasonably quiet place for the appointment
- Headphones or earbuds when additional privacy is helpful
- A parent or responsible adult nearby when required by the child’s age or treatment plan
- Any materials your therapist asks you to have available
A computer or tablet may provide a better experience than a phone because of the larger screen, but your provider can help you determine what will work for your appointment.
Secure and Private Video Appointments
KCFC provides teletherapy through a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted Zoom integration connected with our electronic health record. You will receive instructions for joining your private appointment before the session.
KCFC does not record teletherapy sessions. Families should also not record an appointment unless there has been a specific prior agreement with the provider.
At the beginning of a virtual appointment, your provider may confirm:
- Your physical location during the session
- A telephone number where you can be reached
- Who is present or nearby
- An emergency contact
- What to do if the video connection is interrupted
- Any safety plan relevant to your child’s care
For additional privacy, choose a room where conversations cannot easily be overheard. Headphones, a fan, or a white-noise machine outside the room may also help.
Helping Your Child Prepare for Online Therapy
You can explain teletherapy in simple, reassuring language. For example:
“We are going to meet with someone who helps children and families with feelings, worries, behavior, and other difficult things. We will talk with them on the computer from home.”
Before the first appointment:
- Choose a comfortable location with as few distractions as possible
- Test your internet connection, camera, microphone, and speakers
- Close unrelated programs and silence notifications
- Gather any toys, art supplies, worksheets, or other materials requested by the therapist
- Let your child know whether you will remain in the room or participate in part of the appointment
- Avoid presenting therapy as a punishment or a consequence for behavior
It is normal for children to need time to become comfortable with a new therapist or a virtual format. Your provider can adjust the structure, pace, caregiver involvement, and activities as your child becomes more familiar with the process.
Telehealth PCIT Appointments
PCIT can be provided through telehealth when the family has a suitable play space and technology. Your clinician observes caregiver-child interactions and provides live coaching through an earpiece while you practice skills at home.
Before coaching begins, your therapist will help you position the camera so both caregiver and child are visible, choose appropriate toys, set up headphones, and make a backup plan if the connection fails. Sessions include a caregiver check-in, observation, live coaching, and a plan for home practice.
Learn more about Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and whether it may be a good fit for your family.
Teletherapy Throughout Michigan
Our clinicians may provide teletherapy to eligible clients who are physically located in Michigan at the time of the appointment. Telehealth can make specialized services more accessible for families in communities where pediatric mental health providers are limited.
Licensing requirements generally prevent a clinician from providing an appointment when a client is located in a state where the clinician is not authorized to practice. Tell your provider in advance if your child will be outside Michigan during a scheduled appointment.
Insurance and Payment
KCFC participates with several commercial and Medicaid insurance plans and also accepts private payment. Coverage for teletherapy depends on your insurance plan, the requested service, the provider assigned to your family, and current telehealth benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teletherapy
Yes. Therapists can use conversation, games, drawing, movement, screen-sharing, play, parent coaching, and family activities to help children participate. The structure will depend on the child’s age, development, attention, interests, and treatment goals.
It depends on the child’s age, treatment plan, and the type of appointment. A parent may participate in all or part of a session, meet separately with the therapist, or remain nearby in case assistance is needed. Parent participation is especially important in treatments involving parent coaching or younger children.
Possibly, but the location must allow appropriate privacy, safety, and participation. Your child must also be physically located in a state where the clinician is authorized to practice. Discuss the proposed location with your provider before the appointment.
Your provider will establish a backup plan and confirm a telephone number at which you can be reached. Depending on the circumstances, you may reconnect, continue briefly by telephone when clinically appropriate, or reschedule the appointment.
In some cases, yes. This depends on your provider’s schedule, the service being provided, clinical appropriateness, and insurance requirements. Discuss scheduling options directly with your provider.
KCFC uses a HIPAA-compliant, encrypted Zoom integration connected with our electronic health record. Your family is also responsible for choosing a reasonably private location and protecting the appointment link. Your therapist can help you think through privacy concerns before treatment begins.
Request a Teletherapy Appointment
Complete our request form to tell us about your child or family, the support you are seeking, and your interest in online therapy. Our team will review your information and contact you regarding provider availability and possible next steps.
Have Questions?
If you have questions about teletherapy or need help requesting an appointment, call us at 269-615-7637 ext. 0.
Please do not use a therapy request form or telehealth message for emergencies or urgent mental health concerns. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For immediate crisis support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Clinically reviewed by Kalamazoo Child & Family Counseling. Our pediatric-focused clinicians provide evidence-based mental health services for children, adolescents, and families in Kalamazoo and throughout Michigan. Last reviewed: September 2026.
