Finding mental health support for a teenager can take time. Families may be unsure whether to start with a school counselor, a therapist, a pediatrician, or a specialist. A growing group of U.S. mental health companies is trying to make that first step easier through virtual care, school partnerships, family therapy, and specialized programs.

The companies below offer different kinds of support. Some provide therapy through a teen’s school, while others offer care from home or focus on a specific need, such as eating disorders. They are examples of services in this evolving field, not endorsements. Availability, insurance coverage, age limits, and the right level of care vary, so families should check directly with each provider.

1. Hazel Health and Little Otter

Hazel Health partners with school districts to provide virtual health services, including mental health care, to students. Depending on the district’s program, a student may be able to meet with a provider at school or from home. Families can check whether Hazel is available through their child’s school.

In October 2025, Hazel Health announced its merger with Little Otter, a pediatric mental health provider with a whole-family care model. Little Otter offers services such as child and parent therapy, family therapy, parent coaching, and psychiatric care. Together, the organizations describe their approach as connecting school-based support with care for children and families at home.

This approach may help families who want the student’s school and caregivers to be involved in their care. The specific services available depend on the family’s location and how they access care.

2. Daybreak Health

Daybreak Health works with school districts to provide virtual mental health services for K–12 students. Its programs include one-to-one teletherapy, and the company says it coordinates with parents or guardians and school staff as appropriate. Families can ask their child’s school whether Daybreak is a partner and how referrals work.

Mental health services offered through schools can help students start therapy without families having to find a therapist on their own. The school connection may also help coordinate appointments around a student’s schedule. Families should ask who can access information about the student’s care, how privacy is handled, and what happens if more support is needed than the program provides.

3. Cartwheel Care

Cartwheel Care partners with schools to provide virtual mental health services for students and families. According to its information for families, the service offers individual therapy for students in grades 3–12. Parents and caregivers can also meet with a licensed therapist for guidance. Depending on the school partnership, services may also include family therapy or psychiatric care.

The company’s model is designed to connect school-based referrals with clinical care. A family can start by checking with the school’s counseling or mental health team to find out whether Cartwheel is available. If virtual care does not suit the student, Cartwheel says its care coordinators can help families identify in-person options.

4. Bend Health

Bend Health provides virtual behavioral health care for children, teens, young adults, and families. Its services can include coaching, therapy, and psychiatry, with caregiver involvement built into parts of the care model. Bend also describes working with pediatricians and primary care providers to coordinate support.

Families may consider a service like Bend when they want to explore more than one kind of support, or when caregiver coaching could help adults respond to a teen’s needs at home. The company also offers a virtual intensive outpatient program for young people who need more structured support than weekly therapy. Families should ask a clinician whether that level of care is appropriate for their teen.

5. Charlie Health

Charlie Health offers virtual intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for young people who need more support than a weekly therapy appointment can provide but do not require inpatient care. Its teen program combines group and individual therapy, with family therapy available as part of care.

An IOP is more structured than standard outpatient therapy and involves multiple sessions each week. That schedule can be a significant commitment for both teens and caregivers, so families should discuss school, work, transportation, technology, and family participation before beginning. Charlie Health notes that people who need around-the-clock supervision or medical stabilization require a different level of care.

6. Equip

Equip focuses on eating disorder treatment for children, teens, and adults. Its virtual care model brings together a therapist, dietitian, medical provider, and other support roles. The company says families and loved ones may be involved in treatment, including through family-based approaches for young people.

A specialty provider may be helpful when a teen needs care focused on eating behaviors, nutrition, and physical health alongside mental health support. Because eating disorders can affect physical health, families should ask how medical monitoring is handled and what to do if symptoms worsen. A virtual program may not be suitable for every person or every stage of illness.

How families can compare services

A startup’s technology or virtual format does not determine whether it is the right fit. Before enrolling, families can ask:

• What age groups and mental health concerns does the program serve?
• Is care available in our state and covered by our insurance?
• Does the program offer therapy, psychiatry, family sessions, or only coaching?
• How does the provider involve caregivers while respecting the teen’s privacy?
• What should we do if the teen’s needs change or the program is not enough?
• Is there an in-person option or a referral pathway if virtual care is not a good fit?

It can also help to include the teen in the conversation. Ask what kind of support feels comfortable and what worries them about starting. A teen may be more willing to attend when they understand what sessions involve and have a voice in choosing a provider.

Finding support when a teen is in crisis

School-linked therapy, outpatient counseling, and virtual IOPs are not emergency services. If a young person may be in immediate danger, call 911 or go to an emergency department. In the United States, teens and families can also call or text 988, or use the 988 Lifeline’s online chat, for immediate mental health or suicide-related support.

A growing range of options

These companies show several ways youth mental health care is changing: services connected to schools, virtual access from home, family involvement, and specialized programs for specific needs. Each model has different strengths and limits. Families can start by asking a pediatrician, school counselor, or mental health professional which options are available locally and what level of care best matches the teen’s needs.

With the right information, parents and teens can compare services, understand how caregivers will be involved, and take a practical next step toward support.