Elementary School Therapy at Backpack Healthcare
Helping kids manage emotions, behaviors, and school life with support that truly fits in MD, VA, GA, MI, and IL
How can therapy help young children manage emotions and behavior?
Elementary school is a time of big growth—both academically and emotionally. For some kids, those changes feel exciting. For others, the challenges of learning, socializing, and growing up can feel overwhelming. That’s where elementary school therapy can make a difference.
Through therapy, young children learn practical skills to manage big emotions, build confidence, and improve behavior both at home and at school. Instead of simply telling kids to “calm down” or “pay attention,” therapists help children understand why their feelings get so big and how to handle them.
For example, therapy might teach a 7-year-old new coping strategies for frustration when homework feels “too hard,” or help an 8-year-old manage worries that show up as stomachaches before school. These early interventions not only ease current struggles but also lay the foundation for lifelong resilience and emotional health.
When children learn to name their feelings, express them safely, and problem-solve instead of acting out, they experience fewer disruptions in school and at home. Parents often report that after a few weeks of elementary school therapy, they notice calmer mornings, fewer meltdowns, and more confidence in their child.
Are therapy sessions tailored to each child’s developmental level?
Yes. No two children are alike, and therapy should never be one-size-fits-all. At Backpack Healthcare, elementary school therapy sessions are always tailored to your child’s unique developmental stage, personality, and needs.
For younger kids, therapy often looks playful—using games, art, or stories to help children practice social skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Play isn’t just fun; it’s how kids naturally process and learn.
Play-Based Learning for Younger Kids:
Games, art, and storytelling help children express feelings, practice social skills, and build coping strategies—all while having fun.
Growing Skills for Older Elementary Students:
As kids approach middle school, therapy shifts to problem-solving, managing academic pressure, strengthening friendships, and boosting self-esteem.
Therapy That Meets Kids Where They Are:
From calming bubble breaths for first graders to role-playing test scenarios for fourth graders, sessions match your child’s unique needs and pace.
Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Elementary School Therapy
Frequent emotional outbursts over small changes or frustrations
Physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches before school
Avoiding school or showing resistance to daily routines
Difficulty making or keeping friends due to social struggles
Trouble focusing in class or completing homework
Declining grades or noticeable changes in school performance
How do therapists work with parents and teachers to support children?
Children thrive when the adults in their lives work as a team. That’s why elementary school therapy at Backpack Healthcare doesn’t stop at the therapy room—it extends to parents, teachers, and caregivers.
Our therapists collaborate with parents to share strategies that can be reinforced at home. For example, if a child is learning how to self-regulate when angry, parents might receive tools to use during stressful moments, so the skills transfer beyond sessions.
Teachers are also key partners. When possible, therapists connect with educators to understand classroom challenges and provide simple, effective strategies. Sometimes that looks like recommending a quiet break space for a student who gets overwhelmed, or offering teachers language cues that help de-escalate difficult moments.
By working together, therapists, parents, and teachers create consistency. Children begin to experience the same support across different environments, which accelerates growth and reduces confusion.
Can children access therapy at school without disrupting their day?
In-school therapy minimizes the stress of scheduling and transportation, which can often prevent families from seeking consistent care. Instead of missing entire mornings or afternoons for appointments, children step out for a short session and return to class feeling more grounded and focused.
Because therapy happens during the school day, it also provides real-time support. A therapist can address challenges children are actively facing, such as test anxiety, conflicts with peers, or trouble paying attention. The strategies children practice in sessions can be applied immediately in the classroom setting.
Parents often share that in-school therapy brings peace of mind, knowing their child is supported daily without disrupting family routines. For children, it helps normalize therapy as part of their education and growth—not something “separate” or stigmatizing.
Real Help, Real Fast: How Backpack Healthcare Works
We believe getting help should be easy, effective, and inclusive. That’s why Backpack Healthcare offers:
Same-day appointments in MD, VA, GA, MI (and soon IL)
Virtual therapy you can access from home, school, or work
Support in over 250 languages
A self-care app powered by AI that helps between sessions
In-school therapy services (Maryland)
Clinicians who are employees, not contractors—so your care is consistent and connected
Coverage with Medicaid and most major insurances, including Aetna, Anthem, CareFirst, Evernorth, and MedStar
Evidence-Based Therapy That Actually Works
At Backpack, our licensed clinicians use clinically validated approaches tailored to the needs of each age group:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The gold standard for anxiety, CBT helps kids, teens, and adults recognize and reframe anxious thoughts, develop coping skills, and gradually face fears.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
For specific phobias or OCD-like symptoms, ERP helps reduce avoidance behaviors by gently introducing feared situations in a safe, supportive environment.
Parent Coaching & Family Therapy
Anxiety doesn’t just affect individuals—it affects families. We offer therapy that supports the entire family unit so everyone has the tools they need to thrive.
Mindfulness and Somatic Strategies
Especially effective for teens and adults, these tools teach body awareness, grounding techniques, and emotional regulation.
Whether you’re a parent worried about your child, a teen feeling trapped by panic, or an adult juggling too much and barely sleeping—you deserve support that works.
Start online anxiety therapy today with Backpack Healthcare.
We’re fast, inclusive, and rooted in care that actually makes a difference.
Accepting Medicaid & most insurance
App + chat tools to support you between sessions
Same-day scheduling available
Serving MD, VA, GA, MI, and IL
In-Network
Insurances
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a diverse staff of specialists, including counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners and social workers, who can address your child’s specific challenge. We also offer family counseling. Our goal is to make sure you get an appointment when you need it. – usually within 5 days.
We have the ability to diagnose disorders, provide cognitive talk therapy and prescribe medication. Whatever your child is struggling with, we have a specialist to help.
Yes. We provide cognitive talk therapy including medication management/psychiatry.
Medicaid will cover at 100% with no patient responsibility. Commercial insurance plans such as Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare and Tricare may apply a co-pay, deductible or coinsurance that you would be responsible for.
We are in-network with ALL Medicaid Managed Care Organizations such as Aetna Better Health, AMERIGROUP Community Care, CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield Community Health Plan Maryland, Jai Medical Systems, Maryland Physicians Care, MedStar Family Choice, Priority Partners and United Healthcare Community Plan. If you have Maryland Medicaid and your insurance is not listed, please go to https://maryland.optum.com/ and search MCO for the updated list of accepted insurances. If you have Virginia Medicaid and your insurance is not listed, please go to https://vamedicaid.dmas.virginia.gov/provider/mco#gsc.tab=0 and search MCO for the updated list of accepted insurances. We also accept commercial insurance plans such as Aetna, Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield ( BCBS) United Healthcare ( UHC ) and Tricare East Region.
If your insurance is Out of Network, you are welcomed to pay at our reasonably priced self-pay rates and a HCFA-1500 claim form can be provided for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
You have the choice to pay our reasonably priced self-pay rates at each individual or family session or you can save more by joining our discounted 3 Month Subscription plan. Please see rates and plan description HERE
Our counselors are licensed, trained, and experienced, and have the ability to make diagnoses, provide therapy and prescribe medication. All therapists are licensed in Maryland.
To give you faster access to care, all sessions are conducted remotely. You can choose a video conference through a secure patient portal or an audio phone call.
We believe in the power of telehealth — to help patients feel more comfortable, to make appointments more accessible, and to keep therapy on track. For that reason, in-office visits are not available. But we may revisit that decision over time.
Yes. Our model is designed so that you can get an appointment in less than 5 days through our scheduling portal. We are also available by text, email and our patient portal messaging.
Yes, however you can request to transfer to a different therapist if you’d like.
Our model is designed to give you faster access to care. Chances are you can get an appointment in less than 5 days. If you are in crisis, do not use this site. Please call 988 or use this resource to get immediate help.
We are available by remote video and audio sessions. Of course, your therapist is available via text, email and our patient portal messaging whenever you may need them.
We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. In the interest of providing fast, accessible care to all our patients, “no shows” may be charged a $50 fee.
Healing Starts Now
Three simple steps to get started.
Step 1. Fill Out The Form
Complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
Step 2. Schedule Your Consultation
Begin your intake process and get matched with a provider.
Step 3. Feel Like You Again
Begin regular sessions with your provider and start your healing journey.
Sources:
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Any Anxiety Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). The long-term effects of anxiety. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-long-term-effects-of-anxiety