{"h1":"What do I need for an online therapy session?","faq":[{"a":"A laptop or tablet works best because the larger screen helps your child see the therapist clearly. A phone is fine too — just prop it up steadily so your hands are free to help your child.","q":"Which device is best for online therapy?"},{"a":"No. Your Pinnacle therapist sends a simple link and guides you through joining. You don't need any technical experience — just tap the link a couple of minutes before the session.","q":"Do I need special software or skills?"},{"a":"Yes, especially for younger children. You are an active partner — you help follow the therapist's cues and continue the activities afterwards, which makes the therapy far more effective.","q":"Should I stay with my child during the session?"},{"a":"For many goals, well-delivered online therapy is highly effective and is recognised as a valid mode of service delivery. Your therapist will advise if any goals are better suited to in-centre sessions.","q":"Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-do-i-need-for-an-online-therapy-session","title":"What do I need for an online therapy session?","entity":{"key":"topic-online","kind":"cross_cutting","name":"Online","slug":null},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent","value":"parent"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Support","value":"support"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Book-Assessment","value":"book-assessment"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Family Empowerment","value":"family_empowerment"}],"parent":null,"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"will-my-child-take-online-therapy-seriously","title":"Will my child take online therapy seriously?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-online-child-development-therapy-work","title":"How does online child development therapy work?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-online-therapy-as-good-as-in-person-therapy","title":"Is online therapy as good as in-person therapy?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-online-therapy-effective-for-children","title":"Is online therapy effective for children?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-parent-s-role-in-online-therapy","title":"What is the parent's role in online therapy?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-therapy-be-done-online-and-does-it-work","title":"Can therapy be done online, and does it work?"}],"summary":"An online therapy session needs only a device with camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, a quiet well-lit space, and a few familiar toys or everyday objects nearby. Your Pinnacle therapist guides every step, and your presence beside your child is the most important ingredient.","answer_md":"*A good online therapy session needs surprisingly little — a quiet corner, a steady connection, and a calm few minutes before you begin.*\n\n## In short\nFor a productive online therapy session you need just four things: a **device with a working camera and microphone** (a laptop or tablet is ideal), a **stable internet connection**, a **quiet, well-lit space** where your child can sit and move comfortably, and a **few familiar toys or everyday objects** your therapist may ask you to keep nearby. You don't need any special software skills — your Pinnacle therapist will guide you through every step, and you, the parent, are an active partner in the room, not a spectator.\n\n## Setting up for success\n**The essentials**\n- A laptop, tablet or phone — a larger screen helps your child see the therapist clearly\n- A reliable internet connection; sit close to your Wi-Fi router if you can\n- Headphones or good speakers so your child hears speech sounds clearly\n- A charged device, or keep the charger plugged in\n\n**The space**\n- A quiet room with the TV and other distractions switched off\n- Good lighting on your child's face so the therapist can see expressions\n- A small table and chair, or floor space, depending on the session goals\n- Have water, a favourite toy, picture cards or crayons within reach — your therapist will tell you in advance what's needed\n\n**A few minutes before**\n- Visit the loo and have a small snack so your child is settled\n- Join 2–3 minutes early to check sound and video\n- Sit beside your child so you can help follow the therapist's cues\n\nOnline therapy, delivered well, is genuinely effective — and your presence beside your child is the single most powerful ingredient.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nDevelopmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care — never from an app, a form or an online session alone. Our [online therapy](/online-therapy) is delivered by the same trained therapists across our network, and your [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) helps your therapist tailor each session to your child. Begin your journey from our [home page](/).\n\n## Trusted sources\nAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association guidance on telepractice service delivery; WHO Nurturing Care Framework on family-centred early support.\n\n**Next step —** Ready to begin from home? [Book an assessment](/online-therapy) and we'll set up your first online session with you.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-do-i-need-for-an-online-therapy-session","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-do-i-need-for-an-online-therapy-session","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[],"meta_title":"What You Need for an Online Therapy Session","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Keep a small box of session items — a favourite toy, crayons, picture cards and a cup of water — ready in advance, so set-up takes seconds and your child stays calm.","published_at":"2026-06-11T02:42:00.094154+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"therapy","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"will-my-child-take-online-therapy-seriously","title":"Will my child take online therapy seriously?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-online-child-development-therapy-work","title":"How does online child development therapy work?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-parent-s-role-in-online-therapy","title":"What is the parent's role in online therapy?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-online-therapy-effective-for-children","title":"Is online therapy effective for children?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-therapy-be-done-online-and-does-it-work","title":"Can therapy be done online, and does it work?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-online-therapy-as-good-as-in-person-therapy","title":"Is online therapy as good as in-person therapy?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-aba-or-behaviour-therapy-be-done-online","title":"Can ABA or Behaviour Therapy Be Done Online?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-grandparents-or-caregivers-join-online-sessions","title":"Can grandparents or caregivers join online sessions?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-i-start-therapy-online-and-switch-to-in-person-later","title":"Can I start therapy online and switch to in-person later?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-my-child-get-therapy-if-there-is-no-centre-near-us","title":"Can my child get therapy if there is no centre near us?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-online-therapy-help-with-speech-delay","title":"Can online therapy help with speech delay?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-speech-therapy-be-done-online","title":"Can speech therapy be done online?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Explore therapy & support","total":21}],"what_to_watch":"Check that your child can see and hear the therapist clearly and stays reasonably engaged. If video keeps freezing or your child cannot settle, tell your therapist — sessions can be adjusted for shorter blocks or a different time of day.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/professional-issues/telepractice/","label":"ASHA — Telepractice service delivery"},{"url":"https://nurturing-care.org/","label":"WHO Nurturing Care Framework"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T02:42:00.094154+00:00","meta_description":"A simple checklist for online therapy: a device with camera and mic, stable internet, a quiet space, and a few familiar toys. Your Pinnacle therapist guide","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}