Do I need a diagnosis to start?

No. You do not always need a formal diagnosis to begin therapy. We can discuss your needs, concerns, and goals during the initial consultation and help determine what type of support may be appropriate.

What ages do you serve?

We provide therapy and support for children, teens, and adults. The best way to determine whether our services are a good fit is to contact us and discuss your needs and goals.

Is this covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage depends on your individual insurance plan and the services you receive. We recommend checking with your insurance provider regarding your specific benefits. We can also provide information about our fees and payment options.

How is therapy different for teens?

Therapy is personalized to each child's individual strengths, communication style, sensory needs, and goals. For teens, we focus on creating a supportive, comfortable environment while helping develop skills such as communication, emotional regulation, social interaction, independence, and everyday functioning.

Can I switch therapists if it's not a good fit?

Absolutely. A strong relationship between the child, family, and therapist is important for successful therapy. If you feel that your current therapist isn't the right fit, please let us know. We'll work with you to find a better match whenever possible.

What if we move to another state?

If you move to another state, please let us know as soon as possible. Because therapy licensing requirements vary by state, we may not always be able to continue providing services after you move. We can help you understand your options and, when possible, assist with finding an appropriate provider in your new location.

Counseling for Young Adults

BUILT FOR TEENS

With the right care team, anxiety and depression stop running the show.

Our clinicians work specifically with young adults navigating anxiety, depression, and the pressure of figuring life out. We focus on what's actually getting in your way.

Fast virtual access to a licensed therapist.

Age-specific care from early childhood through the teen years.

Private sessions, with parents kept appropriately informed.

Measurement-based care to track real progress.

WHY PARENTS AND TEENS TRUST BACKPACK

A model built around how young adulthood actually shows up.

Fast access to care

95% of patients begin care within 3 days of referral, cutting the wait that so often gets in the way.

Young adult-specific expertise

Clinicians trained in the specific pressures of this life stage: school, work, relationships, identity.

Privacy that makes sense

Teens get space to talk openly. Parents stay informed on what matters, without every detail.

No diagnosis required

A hard stretch, a rough year, or just feeling off is reason enough.

Medicaid-focused expertise

Built to serve Medicaid-enrolled families, with billing and eligibility handled for you.

Consistency through change

Care that stays steady through school transitions and everyday teenage chaos.

How therapy works AT THIS AGE

They set the goals. In their own words.

45–50 minutes per session, or shorter and more frequent, based on what works.

45–50

Minutes per session

Real conversations. Real skill-building. Not rushed.

Your teen.

They're the patient

We meet them where they are, not just where you'd like them to be.

CBT · DBT · MI

Approaches that work

Approaches suited to teens, built around how they actually think and talk.

This week

Practical tools

Tools they can use between sessions, not just abstract ideas.

Okay.

Not sure yet?

If you don't know what they need yet, that's okay. We'll figure it out together.

Therapy when THEY've never done it before

Maybe nobody in their life talked about this stuff.

Maybe they've been told to just get over it, or been the easy kid so long that nobody noticed something was off.

Here's what to know.

They don't need to have it figured out.

That's the whole part of starting.

They don't need a diagnosis.

A rough week is enough of a reason.

It's not weird to feel weird about it.

Most teens do, at first, and that fades.

They can stop, switch, or change direction.

They can stop, switch, or change direction. Nothing is locked in.

When life is in motion

Care should work with that—not against it.

A lot is changing at this age. School, friends, family, all at once. Here's how we keep up.

Evenings & weekends

Real appointment times. Not just half-hour lunch slots.

Evenings & weekends

From their room, from a friend's, from the car after practice.

School schedule changes

We work around the school year, not against it.

If you move out of state

We'll help you find someone good before we let you go.

Insurance changes? Tell us

We'll figure it out. We accept Medicaid and are in-network with major plans.

Can't pay? Tell us

We won't drop you for a missed bill. We'll work with you.

IF THERE'S A LOT GOING ON RIGHT NOW

A lot, sometimes all at once. Piece by piece.

Life rarely shows up as one clean issue. We coordinate evaluation and treatment in one place, help with Medicaid or insurance paperwork, connect medication management with therapy, and work with you through school, work, or coverage changes.

Coordinate with school counselors if it helps

Help with insurance paperwork

Coverage-gap support

Coordinate with school counselors if it helps

Work with you through changes in address, custody, or coverage

Stick with you when things shift

WHAT IT COSTS

Most families pay $0

Medicaid

Most families pay nothing

We accept 100+ insurance plans, Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE in MD, VA, MI, IL, and GA. Most families pay nothing per visit.

No copay

No referral needed (most plans)

Therapy + psychiatry included

Commercial insurance

In-network with major plans

$15–$40_/Visit

Typical per-visit copay range, depending ony our plan.

Aetna · Cigna · UnitedHealthcare · and more

100+ Insurance plans accepted

We verify before your first visit

Self-pay

Transparent rates

$96_/Visit

Individual therapy, 60 minutes. Sliding-scale and group rates available.

Group sessions from $44

Sliding scale available

Get in touch — we'll figure it out

No surprise bills.

We tell you what you owe before you owe it. If anything changes, we tell you before the next visit.

Questions parents ask

You're not the only one wondering.

Why do I feel anxious or depressed even when nothing seems "wrong"?

Anxiety and depression aren't always tied to one clear cause — counseling can help you unpack what's underneath it, even when things look fine on paper.

When should a young adult seek professional help instead of just pushing through?

If it's been affecting your sleep, focus, relationships, or motivation for a few weeks or more, that's a good sign it's worth talking to someone.

What's the difference between counseling and therapy?

The terms are largely interchangeable — both involve working with a licensed clinician on what you're going through.

Can online counseling really help with anxiety and depression?

Yes — online counseling is clinically comparable to in-person care, and it's how most of our young adult patients choose to meet.

What should I expect during my first counseling session?

A conversation about what's going on and what kind of support fits — no diagnosis needed to begin.

How do I find a counselor who understands what young adults are going through?

Look for a clinician or practice that specifically works with this age group — that's the core of what we do.

Let's get started

Your teen doesn't need a big reason. Just a place to start.

Backpack Healthcare is here to help teens and families get support, quickly and without the runaround.

Schedule a Visit

See how therapy works

At a glance

Time to first appointment

3 days

Ages served

4 and up

States served

Languages supported

250+