US Schools Embrace Online Therapy Trend as Counselor Shortage Persists

Does your child struggle with school bullies or feeling isolated from their peers? These are just some of the challenges students are facing, and the current situation has only worsened the difficulties. Luckily for Maria Ishoo and Valerie Aguirre’s daughters, telehealth therapy provided through their schools has made a significant impact on their mental health.

Right now, at least 16 of the largest U.S. public school districts are offering online therapy sessions, marking the beginning of a mental health revolution in schools. As a result, schools have signed provider contracts worth more than $70 million in just those districts alone.

Even though fast-growing tech companies are providing these services, some experts worry about the quality of care. However, educators say that teletherapy is essential because it works for many children, and it meets a massive need, especially for rural schools and lower-income students.

Some parents have seen the remarkable benefits of teletherapy firsthand. Maria Ishoo’s daughter, for example, initially resisted but eventually opened up to a therapist online, learning essential coping mechanisms and anxiety reduction techniques from her bedroom.

The Lancaster school district, much like others, has faced challenges with in-person practitioners and long wait times for care. Teletherapy has allowed for students like Ishoo’s daughter to receive immediate care, with the district referring more than 325 students to over 800 sessions since the launch of the online therapy program.

If you’d like to learn more about how teletherapy is transforming the mental health landscape in schools, read the full article here.