Does Teletherapy For ADHD Work?

A large body of research confirms that teletherapy can help people with a wide range of concerns and that many therapeutic modalities can be conducted through virtual sessions. Although teletherapy has been gaining popularity for quite some time, the coronavirus pandemic increased the prevalence even further. When it comes to ADHD, though, does teletherapy work? In this article, I will talk about what online therapy is, whether or not it can be used for ADHD, and how to find an online therapist. Finally, I will discuss how to cover the cost of therapy. 

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What Is Online Therapy?

Also known as teletherapy, online therapy is exactly what it sounds like. When you use online therapy, you meet with a therapist for therapy sessions online rather than face-to-face. Most often, online therapy is conducted over video chat. With video chat, you can talk with your therapist face-to-face, just like you would in person. If viable, some therapists offer voice calls as well for those who prefer to talk without video. Individual, group, couples, and family therapy can all take place via online sessions. 

Can Teletherapy Be Used for ADHD?

If you or your ADHD child are showing signs of needing therapy--teletherapy can be used for ADHD. Some feel that online therapy is actually a better fit for themselves or their family, whereas the opposite may be true for others. The benefits of online therapy include convenience, lack of commute time, and an increased ability to find specialists, such as those who specialize in ADHD. Since sessions are online, you aren't limited to providers who practice in your immediate area. Instead, you can work with anyone who is licensed to practice in your state. If you live in a rural area or have trouble making it to therapy appointments, don't mind talking with your provider online, or feel more comfortable at home, it can be a game-changer. 

Caregivers  

Parent training in behavior therapy is recommended for caregivers of children with ADHD who are currently under the age of 12. Through parent training for ADHD, caregivers learn behavioral therapy techniques to use with their children at home. Sessions of parent training can be held online or in person and may be conducted in a group setting or individually. Research shows that parent training in behavior therapy is effective when conducted online and that the results of this form of teletherapy are comparable to what we see following in-person sessions.

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Individuals with ADHD

Similar to parent training, research shows that online therapy for individuals with ADHD can have a positive impact on a person's life. A meta-analysis and systematic review published in 2022 shows that online interventions for ADHD can improve social function and attention deficit symptoms in children and adults with ADHD. 

A therapist who works with individuals with ADHD may help their clients with various goals, including goals related to the reduction of ADHD symptoms, emotional regulation, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, social skills, productivity, daily routines, and self-care. When you meet for your intake appointment, you will be able to tell your new therapist about yourself and the goals you want to work toward while you're in therapy. This is true whether you seek help in person or online.

This doesn't mean that online therapy works for everyone. For example, some children who are less apt to communicate with a provider over video, who engage in types of therapy or techniques best conducted in person, and so on, benefit more from in-person sessions. However, for those able to engage with online sessions, what we know about the efficacy of online therapy is great news. Individuals who experience a co-occurring condition such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or an eating disorder, all of which are statistically more common in individuals who live with ADHD, may address these concerns with a therapist who offers online sessions, too. The exception would be if someone requires a higher level of care such as residential or inpatient psychiatric treatment.

How to Find an Online Therapist

Even if a therapist doesn't practice entirely online, it's becoming more and more common for therapists to offer virtual sessions. Here are four things that someone who wants to know how to find a child ADHD therapist online can do:

Use a therapist directory

Online directories like those on the Psychology Today website allow users to look for a therapist based on the conditions they work with (e.g., OCD, ADHD, depression), health insurance plans they take, and other factors, like the age group(s) a therapist works with. Often, these directories will indicate whether or not a provider offers online sessions, though it is something you'll want to confirm with the therapist.

Contact your insurance company

When you call your health insurance company, they will typically be able to help you find a professional who takes your health insurance plan. Often, health insurance companies will also allow you to search for a therapist or other healthcare professionals on their websites. Again, make sure to confirm with the therapist that they offer virtual sessions.

Join an online therapy platform

If you're set on working with a therapist online and feel that you will benefit from care that is strictly virtual, you might opt for an online therapy platform. Most often, these platforms will match you with a therapist based on your specific needs. So, if you want a therapist who specializes in ADHD, an online therapy platform (such as Psychology Today) may be able to pair you with a specialist. The caveat is that not all online therapy platforms have therapists who specialize in ADHD or work with minors. Additionally, not all online therapy platforms take insurance. 

Ask your doctor for a referral

In many cases, another healthcare professional you see will be able to help you look for or provide a referral to a therapist. This could be a primary care doctor or someone else, like a psychiatrist. Once again, just make sure to confirm with the therapist themselves that they work with clients online. 

Cost

Once you choose to work with a therapist online, the question is, how will you cover the cost? Few people pursue mental health services without wondering how they'll pay for them, but the good news is that there are options. First, if you have health insurance and find an in-network therapist, you will only have to pay for your co-pay rather than the entire cost per session.

Those with Medicaid may not have to pay at all. People without health insurance or who can't find a provider who takes their insurance can look for a therapist who offers low or sliding-scale rates, which are typically based on a client's income. Some online therapy platforms have plans that are more affordable than in-person therapy per session. The billing practices these websites use may also differ.

For example, you might pay a bill once each month rather than at the start or end of each session. Financial aid for therapy might be available in some cases, such as those where an online therapy platform offers it to low-income individuals. 

You can try to find a cheaper alternative to a therapist or an ADHD coach.

Takeaway

Therapists who offer online sessions work with various conditions, including ADHD. Online therapy is a viable and effective option for individuals who live with ADHD, as well as caregivers interested in online parent training. There are numerous benefits to teletherapy for ADHD, but it isn't the right fit for every client or family. To cover the cost of therapy, one may use health insurance, look for a therapist who offers low-cost sessions or sliding scale rates or apply for financial aid. To ease nerves around pursuing therapy, remember that they work for you and that you can always switch therapists if you need to.