Online Christian Counseling for Teens in Texas
The teenage years carry a lot. School pressure, friendships that shift overnight, social media, family changes and big questions about faith can all land at once, and many teens don't have words yet for what they are feeling. At Neema Counseling, we offer online Christian counseling for teens anywhere in Texas, by secure video, so your teen can talk with a licensed counselor from home without a drive across town.
Faith is welcome in the room as much as your family wants it. For some teens that means talking through Scripture, doubts and what they believe. For others it simply means knowing their counselor shares their family's values. Either way, our counselors are trained therapists first, and every session is shaped around your teen.
What online counseling for teens can help with
Parents usually reach out when something has changed and they aren't sure how to help. We often see teens who are working through:
- Anxiety, worry and panic, including school and test anxiety
- Depression, low mood or pulling away from family and friends
- Stress from school, sports, activities and college planning
- Friendship struggles, loneliness and the pressure of social media
- Family changes such as divorce, a move, a new sibling or a loss
- Grief after the death of someone they love
- Questions about faith, identity and where they fit
- Trauma and hard experiences that still feel close
If you aren't sure whether what your teen is going through is a fit, call us. We would rather talk it through with you than have you wonder.
Christian counselors who see teens online
These two counselors are currently welcoming new teen clients online, anywhere in Texas.
Allison Sims, LMFT-Associate (supervised by Heather Timmis, LMFT-S) has specialized training in couples and family therapy and draws on family systems work. That background helps her see a teen in the context of the whole family, and she is glad to bring parents in when it would help. She sees teens online and in person at our Houston office.
Hallie Nicholls, LPC-Associate (supervised by Lynn Strom, LPC-S) uses cognitive behavioral and solution-focused approaches, which give teens practical tools they can use between sessions for anxiety, stress and negative thinking. She sees teens online and in person at our Houston office.
If you aren't sure which counselor would be the best fit for your teen, our care coordinator is always glad to help you choose.
How online sessions work for teens
Sessions happen over a secure video platform that works on a laptop, tablet or phone. Your teen will need a private, quiet space, a set of headphones if others are home, and a steady internet connection. Many teens find it easier to open up from their own room than from an office, and online sessions save the time you would otherwise spend in traffic.
Most of our current openings are during the school day. That tends to work well for homeschooled students, students with a flexible school schedule, and families who can plan around a free period. When you call, we will tell you what times are open right now.
The role of parents
Parents and family are an important part of a teen's healing, and we welcome you into the work as much as possible. A parent or guardian completes the intake paperwork and consent, and we usually begin with a conversation with you to understand what you are seeing at home. From there, your teen's counselor looks at what your teen needs and decides with you how your family will be involved. For some teens that means regular family sessions. For others it means parent check-ins alongside one-on-one time. At the start, we also talk with your family about what stays between counselor and teen, and about the limits of that privacy, including anything that affects your teen's safety. Our hope is that the support your teen finds in counseling carries over to home.
How faith fits into teen counseling
Christian counseling at Neema means we take your family's faith seriously and welcome it into the work when your teen wants it. A counselor might help a teen sort through what they believe about God when life feels unfair, talk through a verse that has been on their mind, or make room for doubts without judgment. We never push faith on a teen who isn't ready, and we don't require it. Our hope, reflected in our name, is that every teen who works with us experiences grace. You can read more about our approach on our Christian counseling page.
Rates and insurance
We accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, Oscar, Ambetter, Curative, Lyra, Magellan and Medicaid. Our care coordinator will check your plan before the first session and let you know which of our counselors it covers. At Neema Counseling, we accept most major insurances and also offer a sliding scale because accessibility is important to us. For out-of-network plans, we can provide a superbill you can submit for reimbursement. You can see our full rates and insurance details here.
In person in Houston, and for younger children
If your family would rather meet face to face, Allison and Hallie also see teens in person at our Houston office in Spring Branch. Online sessions are for teens. Younger children are seen in person in Houston, and you can read more on our counseling for children page. For an overview of all of our teen services, visit our teen counseling page.
Starting with a free 15-minute consultation
The first step is a free 15-minute phone consultation. You can tell us what is going on, ask questions and find out whether one of our counselors is a good fit for your teen. Call us at 512.669.5701 or schedule a free consultation online.
Frequently asked questions
Does online counseling work for teenagers?
Yes. Many teens are comfortable on video and find it easier to talk from home than in an office. Online counseling uses the same approaches as in-person sessions, and it removes the drive, which makes it easier to stay consistent. You can read more in our article on whether online therapy really works.
Who will my teen meet with?
Allison Sims, LMFT-Associate, and Hallie Nicholls, LPC-Associate, are currently welcoming new teen clients online anywhere in Texas. Our care coordinator can help you decide which counselor is the best fit.
Do parents join the sessions?
We welcome parents and family into counseling as much as possible. A parent or guardian completes the paperwork and consent, and we usually begin with a conversation with you. Your teen's counselor then decides with you how your family will be involved, based on what your teen needs, whether that means family sessions, parent check-ins or both. At the start, we also talk with your family about what stays private and the limits of that privacy, including safety.
Does faith have to be part of counseling?
No. Faith is welcome as much as your teen and family want it. Some teens want to talk about Scripture and what they believe, and others do not. Our counselors follow your teen's lead.
When are online sessions available?
Most of our current openings are during the school day, which works well for homeschooled students and students with flexible schedules. Call us at 512.669.5701 and we will tell you what times are open right now.
Do you take insurance for teen counseling?
Yes. We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, and offer a sliding scale. Our care coordinator will check your plan before the first session.
Can younger children be seen online?
Online sessions are for teens. Younger children are seen in person at our Houston office in Spring Branch.