Reaching more teens and families nationwide, Brightside advances its mission to make high-quality mental health care accessible to all.

Brightside Health, a leader in virtual, measurement-based mental health care, today announced the national expansion of its Teen Program, making therapy-first, outcomes-driven care available to adolescents and families across the country.

The expansion advances Brightside’s mission to close access gaps and deliver life-changing mental health care to everyone who needs it—before crisis hits.

“We know that access to quality care saves lives,” said Julia Bernstein, COO of Brightside Health. “Our national rollout ensures that teens across the country can access high-quality, evidence-based treatment designed to change outcomes early, not just respond to crises.”

Advancing Youth Mental Health Nationwide

Adolescent mental health needs remain high, despite modest improvements in depression and suicide risk. Interventions like 988 addressing acute crises have saved lives, yet many teens continue to face persistent challenges related to anxiety, isolation, and emotional wellbeing.

Increasingly, young people are turning to social media and, more recently, AI-based chatbots for mental health support—often seeking connection or understanding when professional care feels inaccessible (Biernesser et al., 2025). As we continue to learn about the impact of AI and social media on youth health, experts caution that such tools cannot replace the clinical expertise and relational safety provided by trained professionals.

To complement this evolving landscape, Brightside Health is expanding access to licensed clinicians who specialize in adolescent engagement and mental health treatment. The company’s therapy-first, outcomes-based model ensures that teens receive timely, evidence-based care from trusted professionals equipped to address mental health needs in a safe and supportive environment.

A Therapy-First Model for Teens

Brightside’s Teen Program provides:

• Therapy-first, medication-optional care, tailored for adolescents ages 13–17.
• A dual-portal system that balances teen autonomy with parent involvement.
• Measurement-based, outcomes-driven therapy delivered by a nationwide network of licensed therapists trained to engage adolescents in care and collaborate in delivering effective, tailored treatment.

The program is covered by most major health insurance plans, with self-pay options available, ensuring cost is not a barrier to timely care.

Continued Innovation

As part of its continued innovation, Brightside is advancing efforts to understand and address the role of social media in teen mental health. The company’s approach integrates social media assessment into therapy, trains clinicians on best practices, and equips families and teens with tools to foster healthier digital habits.

Therapists evaluate how social media use affects each teen’s thoughts, emotions, relationships, and sleep—offering personalized strategies, parent education, and targeted support for those experiencing significant impacts.

These initiatives underscore Brightside’s commitment to helping teens build resilience and well-being in a connected world.

About Brightside Health

Brightside Health delivers life-changing mental health care to everyone who needs it. Rooted in evidence, personalized at scale, and powered by measurement-based treatment, Brightside combines therapy, psychiatry, and digital tools to ensure people get the right care the first time. Brightside offers a full continuum of virtual services—including therapy, psychiatry, and higher-acuity programs such as its Suicide Prevention Program and Intensive Outpatient Program—enabling seamless, clinically informed transitions across levels of care, from adolescence through adulthood. Referrals for teen care are currently being accepted at brightside.com/referral.

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