Psychologist Texas — Virtual Therapy for Families Across the State

Texas is a big state. Good therapy for kids, teens, and college students shouldn't feel rare.

If your kid, teen, or college student is anxious, struggling at school, melting down over small things, or just not themselves — you shouldn't have to drive two hours or wait six months to get help. Little Dove Psychology brings specialty-level mental health care to Texas families, virtually, from anywhere in the state.

Founded by Dr. Kristin Kroll, PhD — a Texas-licensed psychologist, former academic medicine professor, and mom — our practice specializes in four core areas: anxiety, depression, family conflict and communication, and emotion regulation for kids, teens, and college students. We don't treat everyone for everything. We focus on what we do best.

Virtual Therapy for Families Across Texas

No matter where you live in Texas, we can support your family. Our four most-requested service areas have their own dedicated pages with local resources:

We also serve families in El Paso, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Amarillo, Waco, Midland-Odessa, Tyler, College Station, Beaumont, McAllen, Laredo, Brownsville, Killeen, Denton, Round Rock, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Arlington, Irving, Garland, Pearland, League City, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, New Braunfels, Schertz, Georgetown, and every community in between. If you're in Texas, we can help.

What We Treat

Anxiety in Kids, Teens & College Students

Excessive worry, school avoidance, separation anxiety, panic, social anxiety, perfectionism, OCD-related behaviors. Many young people have lived with anxiety for months or years before families reach out — and within 8–12 sessions, most see significant relief. We work with elementary-age kids through college students.

Family Conflict & Communication

For parents stuck in the same fight about how to handle the kid — whether she is six, sixteen, or in her first year of college. Getting back on the same team is what shifts the dynamic at home. Learn more →

School Refusal & School Anxiety

When your child won't — or can't — go to school. This is one of the most stressful situations a family can face, and it almost always has anxiety at its root. We work with your child AND coordinate with schools to create a gradual, sustainable return plan.

Big Emotions & Behavior

Meltdowns that feel out of proportion. Anger that seems to come from nowhere. A young person who feels everything, deeply. We help kids, teens, and college students understand their emotions and build the coping skills they'll use for life.

Parent Coaching & Support

Sometimes the most effective intervention is not therapy for your child — it is helping YOU understand what is happening and build new strategies at home. We offer parent-only consultations for caregivers ready to support their anxious, depressed, or dysregulated child or college student.

Emotion Regulation (DBT-Informed)

For the young person whose feelings run bigger than her body has learned to hold. Dr. Kroll’s approach draws from DBT skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance. Learn more →

Hospital-Trained Background

Before opening Little Dove Psychology, Dr. Kroll trained as a pediatric psychologist at Children's Wisconsin and held an academic appointment at the Medical College of Wisconsin. That depth of hospital training shapes how she works today with anxious, depressed, and dysregulated young people. Learn more →

Why Virtual Therapy Works for Texas Families

• No driving. Your young person doesn't have to miss school or sit in Austin or Houston traffic. Connect from home, dorm, office, or anywhere with Wi-Fi.
• No delays. Most Texas specialty practices have 3–6 month delays. We typically have openings within a week.
• Same quality of care. Peer-reviewed research consistently shows virtual therapy is just as effective as in-person for the work we do.
• Flexible scheduling. After-school and early evening appointments that fit around school and work.
• Your young person's comfort zone. Kids, teens, and college students often open up faster from their own room than in a stranger's office.
• Texas expertise. Dr. Kroll is Texas-licensed and understands the unique pressures Texas families face — from competitive school systems to the cultural landscape your young person is growing up in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a Texas psychologist from anywhere in the state?

Yes. Dr. Kristin Kroll is a Texas-licensed psychologist, which means she can provide virtual therapy to any family located in Texas — from Austin to El Paso, Houston to Amarillo, and every community in between. You just need a private space and a stable internet connection.

Is virtual therapy effective for kids, teens, and college students?

Yes — peer-reviewed research consistently shows that virtual cognitive behavioral therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation work across these ages. Many young people actually open up more easily in their own home or dorm, where they feel safe and comfortable.

How quickly can we start?

Typically within a week of your free 15-minute consultation. We don't maintain the long delays you'll find at most in-person specialty practices.

Do you accept insurance?

Little Dove Psychology is a fee-for-service and membership-based practice. We don't bill insurance directly, but we provide superbills you can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many Texas families find this approach gives them faster access to care without insurance panel restrictions. Learn more about why self-pay works →

What ages do you work with?

We work with children, adolescents, college students, and parents — roughly ages 5 through 22. Younger kids are typically seen with parent involvement woven through; teens and college students are seen directly, with parents brought in based on what the young person and family want. We also offer parent-only consultations for caregivers who want support navigating what their kid or college student is going through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Working with a Psychologist in Texas

How do I find a child psychologist in Texas?

The most important factors when choosing a child psychologist in Texas are: (1) whether they are licensed in Texas (essential — out-of-state license alone does not count, though PSYPACT-authorized psychologists can practice across state lines), (2) whether they specialize in your child’s specific issue, and (3) whether they offer the format you need (in-person vs. virtual). For families across Texas — Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and rural areas — virtual practices like Little Dove Psychology are often the only way to access specialists who do not have a brick-and-mortar location near you.

What does it cost to see a psychologist in Texas?

Costs vary significantly based on location, specialty, and whether the psychologist accepts insurance. Out-of-network psychologists in Texas typically charge $150-$300 per session. In-network psychologists often see lower per-session costs but may have longer delays. For families considering specialty work — anxiety, depression, family conflict — investing in the right clinician often costs less long-term than cycling through providers who are not the right fit. Little Dove Psychology is a private-pay practice with superbills available for out-of-network insurance reimbursement.

Can a Texas psychologist see my child via video?

Yes — telepsychology has been a recognized practice modality in Texas since well before the pandemic, and research consistently shows it is as effective as in-person therapy for most concerns in children and adolescents. The Texas Psychological Association supports virtual practice. PSYPACT (the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact) also allows Texas-licensed psychologists to see clients in 42 other states. Virtual sessions work especially well for busy school schedules, kids in two-household custody arrangements, and college students who travel between home and school.

Will my child grow out of their issue without seeing a psychologist in Texas?

Some kids do work through difficulties without professional support — that is the truth. But research is clear that kids who get evidence-based care earlier tend to have better outcomes and shorter overall treatment time than those who wait until things escalate. A consultation with a Texas psychologist is a low-cost way to find out whether what you are seeing in your child is something a few skills can fix, or something that benefits from a more structured approach.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counselor in Texas?

In Texas, “psychologist” is a protected title requiring a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), supervised clinical hours, passing the EPPP licensing exam, and ongoing continuing education. “Counselor” generally refers to a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), which is a master’s-level credential. Both can provide therapy. Psychologists are also trained in psychological assessment and testing, which counselors typically are not. For complex cases, severe anxiety, or situations involving diagnostic clarification, a psychologist’s training depth matters.

How long does therapy with a Texas psychologist take?

Treatment length varies significantly by issue and age. For straightforward anxiety in a kid with no other concerns, 12-20 sessions can produce meaningful change. For more complex presentations — severe depression, family conflict tangled with co-parenting issues, emotion regulation difficulties — longer-term work of 6-12 months is more common. The good news: research shows that even brief evidence-based therapy with the right Texas psychologist produces measurable changes in functioning, mood, and family relationships.

How does a Texas psychologist work with families across the state?

We work virtually with families across all of Texas — Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, Southlake, and smaller communities. As a Texas-licensed and PSYPACT-authorized psychologist, we can also continue working with families if they relocate to another PSYPACT state. Sessions happen on a secure video platform, with options for parent-only meetings, child sessions, or full-family work depending on what each week needs. Most families set up a regular weekly time, with flexibility for school breaks and travel.

Still have questions about working with a psychologist in Texas?

Every family’s situation is different, and these answers cannot cover every case. The simplest next step is a free 15-minute consultation with our team. We can talk through what is happening with your child, teen, or college student, what working with a Texas psychologist would actually look like for your family, and whether Little Dove Psychology is the right fit. No commitment, no sales pitch — just a real conversation about how to support your young person.