Online Therapy for College Students in Philadelphia and Beyond
Helping your child make good decisions for their mental health doesn’t have to be complicated.
As a parent, you’re used to worrying about your child. And because they’re an adult or almost one, it doesn’t mean that stops. You just want to see them happy and fulfilled, but instead they’re struggling. Maybe you find them crying more than usual or having panic attacks, or they’re just not themselves. You’re concerned about how your child is going to get through college with their mental health intact, let alone flourish. You know they’re hardworking and successful when they put their mind to it, but when something comes up, like that really low mood hits around the same time every year, they do poorly on a midterm exam, or they have a huge fight with their best friend, your child really struggles to figure out how to manage it and get back on track.
You encourage them to go to their college counseling center but they get put on a waitlist, or referred out to a community therapist with a waitlist, when you both know they need help now. Or maybe your child connects with a therapist for a semester, but session limits or an inability to see them over the summer forces them to stop, sending them spiraling again. You want to help, but how much can you do when they’re in another state? We are here to remove these barriers for you and your child.
Here to help your high schooler, college student, or graduate
Throughout the years, you’ve shown up for your child over and over again, and we take that same caring approach toward each of our clients. Knowing that your child will have consistent support through the ups and downs of their college experience can be a heavy weight lifted off your shoulders, especially as you see them learn, grow, and become secure in their abilities to navigate adult life. Additionally, you can be confident that your child is in the care of an expert. We’ve got years of training and experience in helping young adults going through similar things.
Think of us like the fellow soccer mom who makes sure your child gets home safely after every practice (orange slices not included).
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes your practice different from my child’s college counseling center?
Many college counseling centers are understaffed and overbooked, struggling to meet the growing demand of their students’ mental health needs. They often have to refer out to community resources like us, or set strict session limits in order to best serve all their students. Additionally, college counseling centers can usually only offer services to students who are actively enrolled in classes and residing in-state, meaning they cannot see students before they begin their first semester, over summer break, or after they graduate. We are able to support our clients at all times throughout their academic journeys, including before they head off for freshman year and after they get their hard-earned degrees!
My child’s current therapist said that they can’t see them when they go out-of-state for college or when they return home for summer break. Why is that?
Most mental health licenses are state-specific, so unless your child’s current therapist is also licensed in the state where your child physically is, they cannot continue to see them due to ethical guidelines. All of our psychologists are members of PsyPact so we are authorized to see clients in most states, making transitions to and from an out-of-state college a breeze! Learn more about PsyPact here.
What happens after graduation?
Nothing different on our end! We can continue to work with your child long after graduation to help them achieve their post-graduate goals. Whether it’s starting a new job, navigating a big move, or entering into a romantic relationship, we’re still here to help. You can rest assured knowing that your child can reach out to us whenever they need a little extra support.
We have health insurance, but are there any benefits to paying privately?
There are some potential benefits for your child’s privacy and treatment. Submitting claims to insurance requires assigning a diagnosis in the very first session, which can sometimes be too early for proper assessment; and stigmatizing diagnoses can remain in your child’s insurance-based health record even after their symptoms have significantly improved. Additionally, the insurance company can determine that your child no longer needs therapy based on its own standards for care, dictating the course of your child’s treatment. Paying privately eliminates these concerns. All that said, we totally recognize that mental/medical healthcare is costly and that paying privately might not be a feasible option. So while we want you to be informed of how insurance works, we also fully support you in using it if you choose to. That is why we’re partnered with Mentaya to make it easier for clients to utilize their out-of-network benefits. You can quickly find out how much each session would cost after reimbursement here.
Will you tell me what my child is working on in therapy?
We know they’ll always be your little baby at heart, but if your child is legally an adult (age 18 or older), then their therapist cannot tell you anything about their treatment without your child’s written consent. If your child is legally a minor (age 17 or younger) and you have provided the consent for their treatment, then their therapist can provide you with some information. However, it is important for children to trust that their therapist will maintain their privacy, allowing them to feel free to discuss personal matters without worrying about what their parents will find out. This is particularly true for adolescents who are naturally developing a greater sense of autonomy. Therefore, it is the policy of Pewter Therapy Services to provide you with general information about your child’s treatment but to not share specific information without your child’s agreement. Please know that if your child’s therapist believes that your child is in danger, they will quickly and directly communicate their concerns to you.