TGLWC Virtual Therapeutic After-School Program: flexible online treatment for youth and adolescents
Virtual Therapeutic After-School Programs provides youth and adolescents with intensive mental health treatment from the comfort of their own home.
At Guiding Light Wellness Center, we offer a virtual therapeutic afterschool program designed to support elementary and middle school–aged youth who are experiencing emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges. We understand how difficult it can be for families to see a child struggle, and our compassionate, child-centered approach focuses on helping each child feel safe, understood, and supported as they grow and heal.
Our virtual therapeutic afterschool program provides structured, age-appropriate support in a safe online setting. Children participate from home while maintaining their regular school routines, allowing them to build coping skills, emotional awareness, and resilience without disrupting family life. Programming is tailored to each child’s developmental needs and encourages positive social skills, emotional regulation, and confidence.
We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and affirming environment for children of all backgrounds. Through our flexible virtual format, families can access high-quality, evidence-based care from anywhere, offering meaningful support for children while reducing the need for more intensive levels of care.
What is a virtual therapeutic afterschool program?
A virtual therapeutic afterschool program is an online version of a traditional afterschool program that provides structured mental health support in a safe, engaging format. Children participate in live, therapist-led sessions from home using a secure telehealth platform, typically for several hours each week after school.
The program combines age-appropriate individual support, small group activities, family involvement, skills-building, and clinical oversight. This integrated approach helps children strengthen emotional regulation, coping skills, social skills, and confidence while allowing them to stay connected to their school, home, and daily routines.
How Does a Virtual Therapeutic After-School Program for Youth Work?
Here’s how our virtual therapeutic after-school program supports youth and adolescents as well as their families:
Personalized Treatment Plans
During the first few days, youth meets with their primary therapist (and family members, if appropriate) to create individualized treatment plan goals and objectives.
Group Therapy Sessions
Youth spend at 1.5 hours per day, five days per week in interactive group therapy sessions designed to build coping skills, emotional awareness, and social connection.
Individual & Family Sessions
Each youth has weekly individual sessions and family therapy sessions once a month with our therapists to address individualized concerns and progress.
Experiential Activities
Youth will receive materials for experiential activities throughout the program to reinforce learning and personal growth.
Peer Relationships
Join consistent, age-appropriate groups where they can develop strong peer support and build lasting relationships.
Small Group Sizes
Groups are limited to no more than 15 youth with a behavioral support specialist assigned to each group to ensure safety, engagement, and meaningful interaction.
Multi-Disciplinary Support
Each participant will also work with a team of clinicians and specialists tailored to their needs to help achieve program objectives.
Medication Support
Psychiatry services and medication management, if needed, are integrated into the program and scheduled to accommodate your teen or young adult.
Discharge Planning
At the conclusion of the program, we provide thorough discharge planning and guidance for next steps to support ongoing growth and success.
Attendance Reminders
Our virtual program portal sends reminders for all sessions to help participants stay on track. The convenience of accessing therapy from home helps increase attendance, leading to better outcomes for teens and young adults.
Age Range
Our services are available to school-aged youth (ages 5–13).
Average Length of Treatment
Program length is individualized and based on needs and progress, typically lasting 6–12 weeks.
Genders Served
Our services are inclusive of all genders, including female, male, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Therapy Time Commitment
All group, individual, and family sessions are available after-school. However, family sessions may occur earlier depending on availability.
Conditions Treated
We support individuals facing mental health concerns and co-occurring barriers in a compassionate, client-centered environment.
Weekly Commitment
The program includes two 45-minute group sessions each day, weekly individual therapy sessions, and monthly family sessions
When is a virtual therapeutic after-school program helpful?
A virtual therapeutic after-school program can be helpful when emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges haven’t improved with traditional therapy. Youth may benefit for reasons such as:
Daily challenges
Difficulty keeping up with school, home tasks, or personal care may indicate a need for structured support.
Outpatient therapy isn’t enough
When traditional therapy hasn’t been effective, a virtual therapeutic after-school program provides more intensive care in a safe online setting.
Difficulty coping with life changes or stressors
Major transitions, bullying, or academic pressure can overwhelm teens; a Virtual IOP teaches resilience and healthy stress management.
Emotional instability
Frequent mood changes or difficulty regulating emotions that interfere with daily functioning.
Withdrawal or loss of interest
Youth who isolate themselves or stop enjoying activities may benefit from virtual therapy that promotes connection and personal growth.
After higher levels of care
Individual therapy can provide continued support following hospitalization, residential treatment, or more intensive services.
Accessible online mental health treatment: what to expect at TGLWC’s Virtual Therapeutic Afterschool Program
Treatment that works around school and home life
Our Virtual Therapeutic Afterschool Program fits into your child’s life, providing the intensive support they need while allowing them to stay connected to home, school, and family.
Intensive mental health support
The program offers focused, healing care for preteens, teens, and young adults facing significant mental health challenges such as severe anxiety, depression, trauma, or OCD.
Personalized mental health care that works for your child
Data-backed outcomes show that participants in our Virtual Therapeutic Afterschool Program often experience reduced anxiety, depression, and distress, along with improved overall well-being.
Benefits of Virtual Therapeutic After-School Program at The Guiding Light Wellness Center
Virtual Therapeutic After-School Program offers mental health support tailored to the unique needs of youth and adolescents. Some key benefits include:
Flexible care
Provides youth and adolescents the flexibility to connect with a therapist from home to overcome behavioral health challenges
Inclusive Psychiatry Services
TGLWC’s Virtual Therapeutic Afterschool Program includes comprehensive psychiatric services and medication management. We begin with a thorough psychiatric evaluation to create a personalized treatment plan for your child. Follow-up visits occur as often as bi-weekly, and at minimum once a month, allowing us to continually adjust and optimize care. This approach ensures consistent, high-quality support, addressing all aspects of your child’s path to wellness.
Evidence-based treatment
Benefit from proven therapies such as CBT and DBT to address anxiety, depression, stress, and emotional regulation.
Accessibility
We meet you where you are, even if in-person treatment isn’t available nearby. Our virtual program is also a good option for those who prefer to receive care at home or are waiting to access an in-person program. We’re here to help you get the quality care you need.
Enhanced daily functioning
Develop problem-solving strategies, emotional awareness, and healthy coping mechanisms for long-term well-being.
Measurable Results
Our therapists track progress with measurable outcomes, demonstrating how much youth have grown and improved through our Virtual Therapeutic Afterschool Program.
How effective are virtual therapeutic after-school programs?
Virtual therapeutic programs have been shown to be highly effective in supporting teens and young adults with mental health challenges. Research indicates that these programs can help participants manage conditions such as depression, suicidal thoughts, and self-injurious behaviors.
For example, a study published in JMIR Formative Research evaluated the outcomes of remote IOPs for adolescents and young adults. The study found that:
Nearly 60% of participants experienced significant reductions in depressive symptoms.
Among those who entered the program with active suicidal thoughts, 71% no longer reported these thoughts at discharge.
Over 50% of participants who initially met criteria for self-harm reported improvement by the end of the program.
These findings suggest that virtual therapeutic programs can provide effective, accessible support for teens and young adults, helping them build coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and reduce risky behaviors all in a structured, safe, and supportive online environment.
Payment Options for Virtual Therapy
➤ In-Network Insurance
Our individual therapy program accepts Maryland Medicaid and CareFirst insurance plans. Using in-network coverage allows for seamless access to therapy services, helping you focus on your mental health without worrying about unexpected costs.
➤ Self-Pay Options
We also offer flexible self-pay options to meet your needs, including cash, credit/debit cards, check, and direct deposit. This provides convenience and flexibility when investing in your mental health care.