We’re excited to share that Backpack Healthcare is officially accepting patients in Virginia!
Families can now access comprehensive, accessible and inclusive teletherapy, along with psychiatry/medication management, our new app Hello Backpack, and mental health workshops.
This marks our first expansion outside of the state of Maryland, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to serve more kids and families than ever before.
“As we embark on this significant expansion into Virginia, we are fueled by our unwavering commitment to revolutionize children’s mental health care. Every child, teen, and family in Virginia should have access to the mental health support they need, regardless of their background or circumstances,” said Backpack Founder and CEO Hafeezah Muhammad. “Our success in Maryland has shown us the positive impact Backpack Healthcare can have on young lives. Now, with the launch of our services in Virginia, we are taking a crucial step toward creating a future where mental well-being is not just a goal but a shared reality for families across the region.”
Making Mental Healthcare Accessible to All
When considering our next state to launch Backpack’s services in, Virginia was a natural fit. Not only do we have some strong, trusted partners throughout the state, but there’s also a significant need for accessible pediatric mental healthcare.
More than 800,000 children in Virginia are enrolled in Medicaid, but unfortunately, many therapists don’t accept this form of insurance. Backpack accepts Medicaid and most other insurances, making us a viable option for many families, regardless of economic status.
We look forward to building additional partnerships with schools, employers, government agencies, payors, and healthcare providers who support our mission and want to help bring Backpack’s services to more Virginia families.
A Proven Solution for the Youth Mental Health Crisis
In a time when youth mental health challenges are on the rise — yet only 20% of children with mental, emotional and behavioral health disorders receive care — Backpack offers a much-needed and highly effective solution.
In fact, a recent study showed that 84% of Backpack’s clients have seen a reduction in their depression symptoms.
“As the Chief Clinical Officer, our expansion into Virginia is propelled by a profound commitment to enhance behavioral healthcare accessibility for families. We envision our services not just as clinical care but as a beacon of support, fostering the mental well-being of Virginia families through culturally intentional and comprehensive behavioral healthcare,” said Jenny Ryan, LCSW-C.
The expansion into Virginia is only step one of our significant growth goals for 2024. We hope to continue expanding to additional states, and we also just launched our groundbreaking pediatric mental healthcare app, Hello Backpack.
If you live in Virginia and want to learn more about how Backpack’s therapy can benefit you and your family, schedule an appointment here.
Partner with Backpack to Break Barriers and Heal Young Minds
Backpack’s expansion would not be possible without the support of our fantastic partners and dedicated team of mental health professionals.
If you’re an educator, employer, government agency employee, payor, or healthcare provider who believes in Backpack’s mission and wants to get involved, we’d love to connect with you! Visit this page to learn more and get in touch.
Backpack is also hiring a variety of licensed professionals in Virginia, including:
- LPC/ LPC-R
- LMSW
- LCSW
- Clinical Supervisors
- Clinical Psychologists
- PMHNP-BC
Interested applicants can learn more on this page.
We’re thrilled to continue building our networks in Virginia and beyond as we work to make mental healthcare accessible for all!