Telehealth Services for Children and Youth: 7 Tips for Clinicians

Telehealth for children allows pediatric healthcare and behavioral health providers to deliver care remotely through secure video platforms. From online therapy sessions to same-day sick appointments, and more, pediatric telehealth has become an important way to improve access to care for children and adolescents.

But, providing effective care via telehealth, especially to children, is easier said than done. Fortunately, the American Telemedicine Association has created practice guidelines to assist clinicians providing healthcare services to children and adolescents via telehealth. Using this guidance, we’ve put together seven tips to help you create the best online environment for the children and youth you serve.

1. Properly introduce children and caregivers to telehealth

For children and families who have not used telehealth before, it’s critical to clearly explain to them what the telehealth session will be like and how to successfully access the telehealth technology. Some great things to do here are:

• Explaining what the session will look like
• Testing the technology beforehand
• Reassuring children about privacy and parents about data security
• Helping caregivers support participation

For very young children, it can be beneficial to compare it to common technology they may have used before (such as FaceTime or Skype). For some older youth, they may need reassurance that the session is private and not “on the Internet”, so take time to discuss the confidentiality of the platform you are using.

2. Manage expectations

Using telehealth technology comes with its own unique challenges, so make sure to set clear expectations with your clients. Discuss what to do if any technological issues arise and accept these challenges with grace and humor when they do happen. Also make sure to manage your own expectations. Recognize that it can be difficult, especially for very young children, to stay engaged on a telehealth platform. You may need to adjust how long sessions last if the child has difficulty staying engaged.

3. Be creative with building rapport with children over telehealth

Don’t be afraid to try some new and creative techniques for rapport building with your clients. Children and youth appreciate getting to know their clinician, so offer to share your environment with them and allow them to do the same. You can also take time for them show any art, journaling, or other creative projects they’ve been working on at home. Dr. McCray Ashby, Physician Engagement Director and Child Telepsychiatrist at innovaTel Telepsychiatry, also offers this piece of advice: Show off your pets!

“If I have a child that is having a hard time settling down or is really shy or guarded, I will ask if they want to see my pets, and this is often a great tool. Using my pets, I know my patients and families feel connected with me and start building a relationship with me without knowing more about me than the fact that I have a cat and a dog.” – Dr. McCray Ashby

4. Give children some control in the telehealth session

Providing some opportunities for clients to hold control over the session can ease feelings of unease. Give your client an opportunity to assert control over the conversation, paying special attention if there is an audio lag that causes you to speak over each other. If you use worksheets or other visuals, allow the child to choose the pictures, colors, or fonts. Also, be sure to seek more verbal confirmations of mutual understanding of what is being done during your session that you normally might during an in-person session.

5. Involve caregivers

Involving caregivers in the session (where appropriate) can have fruitful benefits to your practice – you can provide real-time caregiver training on therapeutic techniques being provided and gain more insight into the family dynamics of the home than you might have in a typical office environment. Caregivers can also be involved in engaging the child in telehealth; for example, a hyperactive child may have difficulty remaining in the frame of the camera, but a caregiver in the room can help mitigate this behavior for you.

6. Utilize your platform’s capabilities

Many telehealth and videocall platforms offer an array of features that you can utilize in your session. You can share handouts and work through them by screensharing or allowing the child to show you their work on the camera. Some telehealth programs even allow you to share a whiteboard where the clinician and child can draw together or play games. Take time to explore the features of your telehealth platform and discover creative ways to incorporate them into your practice.

Using these capabilities, you can create a far more interactive space for your patient. This will instill a greater since of partnership with both the child and their caregivers, leading to better adherence to any treatment plan you suggest. Also, given the age of your patient, it may be easier for them to express their symptoms by means other than language, such as drawing. By allowing for this type of communication, you’ll — once again — improve trust in the provider-patient relationship.

7. Recognize cultural differences

Cultural competency is necessary in any setting, but it is especially important to remember this framework when providing services via telehealth. Carefully pay attention to the verbal and nonverbal communication clues of your clients, especially if technical challenges arise.

Be aware that different speech patterns and communication styles may come across differently over a telehealth platform.

Lastly, be aware that different cultural backgrounds will have different experiences accessing and responding to this technology; be respectful and patient as you and your clients learn the best way to optimize this method of providing treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions about telehealth for children

1. What is telehealth for children?

Telehealth for children refers to healthcare or behavioral health services delivered remotely using secure video conferencing or digital communication tools. Pediatric telehealth can include therapy, psychiatry, counseling, developmental support, medication management, and routine healthcare appointments conducted from a child’s home or another safe location.

Telehealth for children can improve access to care for families who live in rural or underserved areas, have transportation challenges, or need more flexible scheduling options.

2. Is telehealth effective for children and adolescents?

Research shows that telehealth can be effective for many children and adolescents, particularly for behavioral health services such as therapy, counseling, and psychiatric care. Virtual care has been shown to support children experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma-related concerns, and other behavioral health needs.

Many children feel more comfortable participating in sessions from home, which may help improve engagement and reduce stress associated with in-person visits.

3. What types of services can children receive through telehealth?

Children can receive a wide range of healthcare and behavioral health services through telehealth, including:

• Individual therapy
• Family counseling
• Psychiatric evaluations
• Medication management
• Behavioral assessments
• Parent coaching and caregiver support
• Speech, occupational, and developmental services
• Follow-up pediatric appointments

The services available may vary depending on state regulations, provider licensure, and the child’s specific clinical needs.

4. How can caregivers help children succeed during telehealth sessions?

Caregivers play an important role in helping children engage successfully in telehealth sessions. Families can support children by:

• Creating a quiet, private space for appointments
• Testing technology before the session begins
• Helping younger children stay focused and engaged
• Encouraging consistent routines
• Participating in sessions when appropriate
• Communicating concerns or behavioral changes to the provider

Caregiver involvement can improve communication, reinforce therapeutic strategies at home, and support better long-term outcomes.

5. Is telehealth safe and private for children?

Telehealth platforms used by healthcare and behavioral health providers are typically designed to protect patient privacy and confidentiality. Providers should use secure, HIPAA-compliant technology and explain privacy practices to both caregivers and children in age-appropriate ways.

It is also important for families to participate in sessions from a private and comfortable environment whenever possible to help maintain confidentiality and reduce distractions.