Charlie Health

What Charlie Health Is

Charlie Health is a virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) delivered from home for youth and adults with mental health and substance use challenges. The company serves three age groups: kids ages 8-11, teens ages 12-17, and adults ages 18-64. Programs cover mental health conditions and addiction treatment. All care is delivered virtually, with no need to travel to a physical location. The company partners with 600+ major insurance providers nationwide, accepting both commercial and Medicaid coverage.

How the Program Works and What You Get

Charlie Health's virtual intensive outpatient programs provide structured group-based treatment designed to meet people between weekly therapy and inpatient hospitalization. Participants join online sessions from home, with early morning and evening sessions available to fit different schedules. Treatment starts as soon as today, making access rapid for people in crisis or needing immediate support.

Each participant receives a care plan tailored to their needs, supported by a clinical team throughout treatment. The core of the program is expert-led peer groups where people connect with others facing similar challenges. Participants are carefully matched with a therapist based on their needs and preferences, pairing professional guidance with peer support. The service emphasizes that this combination allows people to see themselves in others' progress and find courage to change through authentic connection with peers who understand their experience.

Each participant becomes part of what Charlie Health calls their "core community." The matching process is designed to connect people who share challenges and understand each other without judgment. Because groups are a core treatment component, peers become part of the healing process. The program includes family programming that involves loved ones in treatment, recognizing that family support affects long-term recovery. Built-in risk detection, safety planning, and 24/7 crisis support are integrated into the platform, accessible whenever participants need immediate assistance.

For kids ages 8-11, the program is designed around how children think, feel, and learn. Treatment uses interactive groups and involves family members, helping kids build emotional skills and feel understood. For teens ages 12-17, the program acknowledges that adolescents benefit from groups with peers who "get it," building confidence and real-life coping skills while staying connected to school, friends, and family. For adults ages 18-64, the program is designed for adult life, helping people regain stability, build practical coping skills, and move forward through serious challenges without putting work, family, or caregiving on hold.

Care is HIPAA-compliant and private, delivered through secure platforms. The company emphasizes that treatment is individualized, family-inclusive, and designed to address the whole person rather than just a diagnosis. An alumni program exists for people who complete treatment, offering continued connection and support.

What the Program Treats and Clinical Outcomes

For adults, Charlie Health treats major depressive disorder, anxiety and panic disorders, PTSD and trauma-related conditions, and substance use disorders, with mention of additional conditions beyond these. For teens, conditions include depression and persistent sadness, anxiety and school avoidance, self-harm and suicidal thoughts, and marijuana use. For kids, the program addresses anxiety and excessive worry, sadness and irritability, school refusal, and social withdrawal.

The company publishes outcome data: 92% of individuals who complete programs show improvement in common mental health symptoms. This figure applies to self-reported outcomes from routinely discharged clients who presented with moderate to severe anxiety, moderate to severe depression, or at least one day of self-harm at intake and showed improvements at discharge. The company notes that 31,000 providers have trusted Charlie Health with their patients, and 13 peer-reviewed studies verify the company's methods and show the model works.

Professional services are provided by licensed physicians and clinicians affiliated with independently owned and operated professional practices. For patients in California, services are provided by CH Medical CA, P.C. For North Carolina and New Jersey patients, CH Medical NC NJ, P.C. provides services. For New York, CH Medical NY is the provider. For all other states, Charlie Health Medical, P.A. provides professional services. Charlie Health, Inc. provides administrative and technology services to these affiliated practices.

The company offers specialized treatment programming for specific populations including BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, maternal mental health, military veterans and their families, neurodivergent individuals, medication-assisted treatment, and trauma-focused care.

Insurance, Geography, and What Is Not Detailed

Charlie Health works with commercial and Medicaid coverage nationwide, partnering with 600+ major insurance providers. However, specific plan names are not listed on the website. The company does not publish pricing or out-of-pocket costs. The virtual eating disorder treatment program and virtual substance use disorder treatment program for individuals with a primary substance use disorder diagnosis are only available in select states, though the specific states are not named on the main page.

The company does not specify which therapist credentials are available (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor, etc.). Treatment duration is not discussed. Wait times to start are not published, though the company says people can "start as soon as today." The company does not break down group size, frequency of groups per week, or specific session length. Medication prescription policies are not detailed on the main page.

Who It Fits and Who It Does Not

Charlie Health fits people who need more than weekly therapy but do not require inpatient hospitalization. Someone with moderate anxiety or depression who wants structured treatment while maintaining work and family responsibilities fits well. Parents of teenagers struggling with school anxiety or self-harm can access teen-specific programming designed for adolescent needs. Adults managing substance use disorders can find treatment paired with family involvement. Kids ages 8-11 who struggle with anxiety or emotional regulation can access child-appropriate intensive treatment. Families wanting to be included in treatment will find family programming integrated into the model. Someone in immediate crisis with access to their phone or computer can reach 24/7 crisis support. Someone using Medicaid or commercial insurance that is in-network with Charlie Health's 600+ provider partnerships can access the service.

Charlie Health does not fit people needing medication-only management or medication monitoring without therapy and groups. People in states where the company's eating disorder or substance use disorder programs are unavailable would need to verify eligibility before enrolling. People who strongly prefer one-on-one therapy without group components may find the group-focused model uncomfortable. People who cannot access stable internet or have concerns about privacy using a home-based virtual platform may want to explore in-person alternatives. Adults over age 64 are outside the stated age range. People requiring inpatient or residential treatment need a higher level of care than outpatient programming. Those on specific medications may need to confirm prescribing capacity in their state, as medication-assisted treatment is listed as a specialized program but details are limited.