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Mental health care has become a more open conversation in recent years, yet many families still have questions they feel uncertain about asking. How does therapy actually work? Is online therapy as effective as seeing someone in person? When does a child really need professional help? What is the difference between a therapist and a psychiatrist?
These are not small questions. They are the questions that determine whether a family reaches out for help or waits too long. At Mount Behavioral Health, we believe that clear, honest answers matter. Below, our team addresses the questions we hear most often from families across Brooklyn and NYC.
Many parents struggle with this question. You do not want to overreact, but you also do not want to miss something important. The honest answer is that therapy is appropriate any time a child's emotional or behavioral challenges are causing meaningful distress or interfering with their daily functioning.
Meaningful distress means your child is significantly unhappy, anxious, overwhelmed, or struggling in ways that concern you. Interference with daily functioning means their challenges are affecting school attendance, friendships, family relationships, sleep, or activities they previously enjoyed.
You do not need to wait for things to reach a crisis point. Many of the children and teens who benefit most from therapy are those who start before challenges become entrenched. If something feels off, reaching out for a professional consultation is always a reasonable step.
This is one of the most common questions families ask, and the distinction matters.
A therapist (also called a counselor or psychotherapist) holds a master's or doctoral degree in a mental health field and is trained to provide talk therapy. Therapy focuses on building skills, processing experiences, improving communication, and addressing emotional and behavioral patterns. Therapists do not prescribe medication.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in mental health. Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose mental health conditions, evaluate the biological and neurological factors that contribute to them, and prescribe and manage psychiatric medication when appropriate.
Some children benefit from therapy alone. Others benefit from psychiatry alone. Many benefit from a combination of both, especially when a condition like ADHD, severe anxiety, or depression has both psychological and biological components. At Mount Behavioral Health, our integrated team includes both therapists and psychiatrists working in coordination.
Yes, for the vast majority of conditions and age groups, online mental health therapy produces outcomes equivalent to in-person therapy. This is not a matter of opinion: it is supported by a substantial and growing body of peer-reviewed research.
According to the American Psychological Association, telehealth therapy has demonstrated effectiveness for anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD-related challenges, and behavioral issues in children and adolescents. In many cases, teens are more comfortable opening up via video from their own space than in an unfamiliar clinic environment.
That said, online therapy is not the right fit for every situation. Individuals in acute crisis, those who require hands-on assessment, or those who have limited access to a private, stable internet connection may be better served by in-person care, at least initially. Our team can help you determine which setting is right for your child.
Virtual mental health services follow the same structure as in-person care, delivered through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. Here is what the process typically looks like:
Scheduling: Families schedule an initial consultation by phone or through an online intake form. A member of the team reviews insurance coverage and matches the child with an appropriate clinician.
Intake: The first session (sometimes the first two sessions) involves a comprehensive assessment. The therapist or psychiatrist gathers background information about the child's history, current challenges, family context, school situation, and goals.
Ongoing sessions: Regular therapy sessions are typically 45-50 minutes and occur weekly, biweekly, or at whatever frequency the clinician recommends. Sessions are conducted via video call, often with a parent joining at the start or end as appropriate.
Between sessions: Many therapists assign brief exercises or reflections between sessions to reinforce what is being learned. This between-session practice is a significant driver of progress.
Communication: Parents receive updates as appropriate, with the teen's privacy and trust appropriately protected. For younger children, family involvement is typically more integrated throughout the process.
Scheduling online therapy appointments is straightforward. Most clinics, including Mount Behavioral Health, offer multiple intake pathways:
When you reach out, be prepared to share some basic information: your child's age, the general nature of the concerns, your insurance information, and your availability for appointments. An intake coordinator will help match your child with a clinician and identify appointment times that work for your family.
At Mount Behavioral Health, our contact page makes it easy to reach our team and start the process. We serve families throughout Brooklyn and all five NYC boroughs via both in-person and telehealth appointments.
This is one of the most common concerns parents raise, and it is worth addressing honestly. Many adolescents are initially reluctant to start therapy. Some feel stigmatized. Others feel they do not need it. Still others have had negative past experiences with mental health care.
A few suggestions from our clinical team:
Involve them in the decision. Wherever possible, give your teen some say in which therapist they see and what they want to work on. Autonomy matters enormously to adolescents.
Normalize the experience. Frame therapy not as something for people who are "broken" or "crazy," but as a practical tool for managing life. Many accomplished, high-functioning people use therapy.
Start with a low-stakes commitment. Some teens are more willing to try "just a few sessions" than to commit to an ongoing therapeutic relationship. Often, once they have a good experience with a therapist, willingness grows.
Virtual options lower the barrier. For many reluctant teens, attending a session via video from home feels far less daunting than walking into a clinic. Starting with online therapy appointments can be an effective first step.
If your child is in genuine crisis and refusing care, contact your pediatrician or a crisis line for guidance. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988.
Most major insurance plans cover online mental health therapy, including Medicaid, at parity with in-person services. Following the expansion of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, federal and state laws in New York now require most insurers to cover telehealth mental health services at the same rate as in-person visits.
However, coverage details vary by plan. When you contact Mount Behavioral Health, our intake team will verify your insurance coverage before your first appointment, so you have clarity on costs before you begin.
Mental health care works best when it starts early and is consistent. If your child or teenager is struggling, you do not have to figure it out alone.
Mount Behavioral Health is a certified outpatient mental health clinic serving children, adolescents, and families ages 5-21 in Brooklyn, NYC, and throughout all five boroughs via telehealth. Our team of licensed therapists and psychiatrists specializes in anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, behavioral challenges, and family support.
We are here to answer your questions and help you find the right path forward. Learn more about our online mental health therapy services or reach out today to schedule a consultation.
