Virtual counselling has gained popularity as an effective method for providing mental health services for children. It provides a convenient way to access services from the comfort of the child’s homes no matter where they are located. Many therapists have become more innovative and creative in their approaches to help children engage, learn, and heal online.

The opportunity to attend virtual sessions is especially important for children who may struggle with attending in-person counselling sessions. There are many reasons why some children attend counselling sessions online such as due to accessibility issues, convenience, where they are located, anxiety-like symptoms, depression like symptoms, parent struggles, and the list goes on. This service mode also offers increased time flexibility as it eliminates the need for commuting and associated transportation expenses.

Virtual counselling allows children to participate at home. Some children may feel more comfortable and at ease in their own environment. This potentially makes it easier for them to attend sessions, develop a therapeutic relationship with their therapist, and to express their thoughts and feelings during virtual sessions.

Online counselling sessions for children can incorporate various techniques and tools to engage and support them. It is important for counsellors to be creative and adapt their techniques to the virtual environment while addressing the child’s individual needs and preferences.  Some examples include interactive activities (games, art activities, role-play exercises, and storytelling), virtual whiteboards and drawing tools, multimedia resources, online chat, and collaborative online platforms.

There are many benefits to children engaging in counselling online. Although there are many benefits to virtual counselling, it may not be suitable for every child. For younger children and children who struggle with concentration, they may benefit from shorter counselling sessions to increase their engagement during counselling sessions. Some counselling services provide a shorter counselling session options. The blog post titled, Is Virtual Counselling For Me? discusses some considerations and provides virtual counselling session preparation tips.