Charlie Health Review 2025: Cost, Pros & Cons, & Who It’s Right For

Detailed Review of Charlie Health

Charlie Health’s virtual IOP offers a holistic approach to mental health care with the unique benefit of coordinating with your insurance benefits. With personalized therapy, diverse group sessions, and family support, this program empowers individuals and families to navigate their mental health challenges effectively. From evidence-based treatment to experiential therapies, this comprehensive program is designed to foster growth, connection, and long-term healing, all within a budget-friendly framework.

Charlie Health earned 4 out of 5 stars

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Detailed Scoring Breakdown

Clientele Served (5 out of 5)

Range of Therapist Specialties & Treatment Approaches (4 out of 5)

Geographic Location (5 out of 5)

Attending Live Video Sessions (4 out of 5)

Online Therapy Cost (3 out of 5)

Insurance & Out-of-Network Benefits (5 out of 5)

Therapist Matching or Selection (3 out of 5)

Extra Features & Resources (4 out of 5)

Client Interface & User Experience (4 out of 5)

Privacy & HIPAA (5 out of 5)

Therapist Credentials & Expertise (4 out of 5)

Customer Service (5 out of 5)

Reliability & Longevity (4 out of 5)

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How Does Charlie Health Work?

Charlie Health is a virtual intensive outpatient therapy (IOP) program committed to providing comprehensive and effective services to individuals with various mental health conditions. Their services are designed for teenagers, young adults, and adults, though the exact age ranges may differ depending on the provider. The Charlie Health IOP program accepts many major insurance plans, but they can work with you to assess cash-pay rates.

Charlie Health’s IOP program includes:

• 3-5 days of treatment
• 1 hour of individual therapy weekly
• 1-2 hours of family therapy weekly
• 3 hours of support groups, three days weekly (9 hours in total)
• Medication management, if needed

Treatment plans typically span nine to twelve weeks, offering evidence-based treatments with a flexible care plan tailored to each individual’s schedule and goals. During intake, clients’ mental health struggles, demographic information, treatment history, and lived experiences are assessed to curate personalized treatment experiences based on their condition, age, and therapy preferences. This approach ensures that clients are matched with individual therapists who specialize in addressing their unique needs.

Charlie Health’s approach focuses on crafting personalized treatment plans addressing mental health disorders like anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar or other mood disorders, personality disorders, OCD, gender identity struggles, dissociative disorders, neurodivergence, self-harm, substance use, and post-traumatic stress.

Charlie Health offers a comprehensive range of tailored therapeutic modalities categorized into three groups: Evidence-Based Treatment (including DBT, CBT, and more), Experiential Treatment (involving meditation, art, music, dance, and mindfulness), and Processing (for identity acceptance, such as LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC experiences). These approaches are designed to address the unique needs of each patient effectively.

At Charlie Health, patients can work with up to three therapists, each specializing in distinct evidence-based treatment modalities. Patients can switch therapists if needed, ensuring their mental health journey is personalized to accommodate their evolving needs. Charlie Health’s mission revolves around making mental health care a right, not a privilege, emphasizing accessibility, effectiveness, and personalization.

Guardians’ participation requirements may vary based on state laws. In California, teenagers aged 12 and up can consent to their treatment independently, although parents may become aware of it through the insurance process. While guardians are encouraged but not mandated to participate, Charlie Health also welcomes “chosen family” involvement.

The Admissions Process

Getting started with Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a straightforward process. Parents, guardians, caregivers, or young adults can follow these steps:

1. Obtain a referral from your provider or contact Charlie Health directly.
2. Reach out to their 24/7 admissions department at 1 (866) 508-7084, by email at [email protected], or by filling out this form.
3. Engage in an initial intake call to discuss your needs and see if Charlie Health is a good fit.
4. Charlie Health will gather your insurance information and assist with coordinating your benefits. They will inform you of your insurance coverage and help to schedule your initial individual session with your primary therapist.
5. Attend your initial individual session with your primary therapist and discuss your treatment plan.
6. Select the days you’d like to attend your group therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy sessions.
7. Attend all of your sessions according to the schedule you and your care team create.

Virtual IOP

Getting connected with your treatment team at Charlie Health is typically a swift process. Live therapy sessions are generally conducted for one hour each, and you can expect to participate in a total of nine hours of supported groups spread over three days per week. Their treatment approach may include assignments and activities tailored to your progress and goals. They offer several group options to accommodate diverse schedules.

Charlie Health strongly emphasizes timely access to group therapy for teens and adults. Generally, it doesn’t take long to connect individuals with a group, and their clinical team facilitates the process. Group assignments are thoughtfully made, often grouping individuals with shared experiences or mental health goals. Group sizes are intentionally small, typically ranging from 3 to 8 participants, ensuring an intimate and supportive environment. Each group session lasts one hour, and participants attend nine to eleven hours of supported groups spread over three days per week.

Accessing group sessions with Charlie Health is user-friendly and can be done through their HIPAA-compliant communication platforms, making it convenient and secure. The clinical team is available to discuss and facilitate this transition if the client desires to change groups or if it’s deemed beneficial for the client’s progress. The facilitators leading the groups are qualified mental health professionals with various levels of licensure.

During my interaction with Charlie Health, I did not encounter any bugs or lagging issues. While I wasn’t able to access the platform itself, I was impressed with the responsiveness and efficiency of the admissions team. Within just 20 minutes of submitting my request, they reached out to me via phone and email to schedule a discussion about my needs, demonstrating a commitment to prompt service. The website is user-friendly and provides easy access to information, but having clearer information about the cost of their IOP, in general, would be helpful for potential clients to better understand insurance costs upfront.

Group Therapy

Charlie Health’s virtual IOP incorporates essential group sessions conducted over three days each week, totaling three hours daily. These groups foster a sense of community and collective healing among individuals facing similar mental health challenges, transcending geographical barriers.

With a diverse array of over 50 group tracks, Charlie Health’s IOP caters to various mental health needs and recovery goals. These groups cover multiple therapeutic modalities and themes, such as DBT skills, mindfulness, art therapy, emotional awareness, and music therapy. Patients have the flexibility to select tracks that align with their specific mental health goals, promoting connection and shared recovery journeys.

Family support is a central focus, complementing individual and group therapy with family support groups. These sessions provide additional spaces for patients and their families to collectively address mental health challenges, fostering positive client outcomes. Charlie Health’s facilitated groups, led by trained therapists, offer a collaborative environment where participants can set goals, share experiences, build connections, and learn new skills.

Substance Abuse Treatment

In April 2025, Charlie Health broadened its offerings by launching a virtual program specifically for individuals whose primary concern is substance use. While the company has long supported clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions, this new track is designed for teens and adults needing focused substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The program includes multiple touchpoints each week such as group and individual therapy, family sessions, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with medications like buprenorphine and naltrexone. Clients are placed in peer cohorts and work consistently with the same care team, making the experience feel both structured and personal. This expansion highlights Charlie Health’s effort to make comprehensive SUD care more accessible for those who need it most.

How Much Does Charlie Health Cost?

Charlie Health’s costs will depend on what insurance you have and what your plan covers. Patients have the option to self-pay if they don’t have insurance. True out-of-pocket costs may be exceptionally high for many, so Charlie Health offers a sliding scale fee structure tailored to individual financial circumstances. They also provide financial aid options to those who qualify.

Who Does Charlie Health Serve?

Charlie Health offers its virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) across a wide range of U.S. states, including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Note that Charlie Health’s services are not offered internationally. For more information or to verify service availability in your area, you can visit their official website.

User Reviews for Charlie Health

Charlie Health does not have an app, and there are few true user reviews on review aggregate sites. However, we were able to find some first-hand review experiences on Reddit, and Charlie Health has published several testimonials and reviews from their clients.

History & News About Charlie Health

Year Founded: 2020
Founders: Carter Barnhart, Dr. Caroline Fenkel, Justin Weiss
Headquarters: Bozeman, Montana
Publicly Traded? No

Charlie Health was founded in Montana in 2020, with a clear vision of providing better care to teens and young adults struggling with mental health challenges anywhere in the country. Charlie Health’s CEO and Co-Founder, Carter Barnhart, draws personal inspiration from her journey through mental health challenges, including surviving a sexual assault as a teen. They have since expanded their services to cover 36 states, aiming to eradicate suicide by prioritizing preventative care and supporting individuals through various levels of care.

One unique aspect of Charlie Health is its commitment to being 100% virtual. It reflects its dedication to making mental health support accessible to all without needing brick-and-mortar facilities. In 2024, Charlie Health launched a new program dedicated to helping improve maternal mental health for new mothers.

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