Services › Children & Teens
Child & Teen Therapy, From Home.
Telehealth therapy for children and teens. Covered by Partnership HealthPlan Medi-Cal under EPSDT, with no referral and no waitlist.
Last updated: October 2026
What We Treat
What child and teen therapy helps with
- Anxiety and depression
- ADHD and executive function
- School stress
- Identity and self-esteem
- Family conflict
- Children and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Most child patients are 6 years and older. Teen care is offered for ages 12 and up.
Our Approach
How sessions work
- Developmentally informed. Care is matched to your child’s age and developmental level.
- Parents involved. Guardians are involved with consent, while a teen’s space in session is protected.
- Consent first. A parent or guardian gives written consent and is present for the intake session.
- Privacy for teens. California law gives minors 12 and older certain confidentiality rights, which your clinician explains at intake.
Many teens find telehealth an easier format to open up in. Evening and weekend appointments fit around school.
When To Reach Out
Signs your child or teen may need support
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy that last more than a few weeks
- Pulling away from friends, family, or activities they used to enjoy
- Frequent stomachaches or headaches before school
- Irritability, anger, or meltdowns that feel bigger than before
- Falling grades or not wanting to go to school
- Talk of feeling worthless, hopeless, or like a burden
If your child talks about suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What To Expect
How child and teen care unfolds
- Parent intake. A parent or guardian joins the first session, gives consent, and shares history and concerns.
- Building trust. Early sessions focus on helping your child feel comfortable with the clinician and the format.
- Skills for real life. Children and teens learn ways to handle worry, anger, sadness, and stress at home and school.
- Parent check-ins. You receive guidance on how to support progress at home, while a teen’s private space in session is respected.
Younger children usually need more parent involvement. Teens usually need more privacy. Your clinician balances both.
Why Telehealth Works
Therapy without missing school
Telehealth means no pulling your child out of class and no long drive after school. Sessions fit into the afternoon or evening from a quiet room at home.
Many teens open up more easily from their own space, behind a screen, than in an unfamiliar office. For families in rural counties, telehealth may be the only realistic way to reach a therapist at all.
Explore free, kid-friendly coping tools like guided breathing and 5-4-3-2-1 grounding on our Therapy Tools page.
Myths & Facts
Common myths about child and teen therapy
MythKids will grow out of it.
FactSome problems pass, but anxiety and depression in young people often continue without support. Early help tends to work faster.
MythTherapy means I failed as a parent.
FactSeeking help is a strong parenting decision. Many families use therapy to get through a hard stretch.
MythTeens will not talk to a therapist.
FactMany teens talk more freely with a neutral adult who is not a parent or teacher, especially when they know their privacy is respected.
Coverage & Getting Started
What child and teen therapy costs and how to start
In network with Partnership HealthPlan
PMHS is a contracted, in-network provider with Partnership HealthPlan of California. Covered sessions for Medi-Cal members usually cost nothing.
Children and teens under 21 with Partnership HealthPlan Medi-Cal qualify for mental health services under the EPSDT benefit, which often covers more than standard adult benefits. Covered sessions typically cost nothing, and no referral from a pediatrician or school is needed.
- Reach out. Submit the short form or call or text (925) 771-0430. We respond within one hour between 8am and 8pm, or by 9am the next morning.
- We verify your coverage. We check your Partnership HealthPlan, Medicare, or other benefits for you.
- Start this week. No waitlist. Your first session is an intake, by secure video or phone from home.
Where We Serve
Child & Teen Therapy in all 24 Partnership HealthPlan counties
PMHS is 100% telehealth, so you can start from home in every Partnership HealthPlan county, including these towns.
What PMHS does not provide
- Crisis or emergency services. Call or text 988, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
- Medication management or psychological testing.
- Court-ordered evaluations or forensic assessments.
- In-person appointments. PMHS is 100% telehealth by video or phone.
- Sessions while you are physically outside California.
Common Questions
Child & Teen Therapy FAQ
Does Medi-Cal cover therapy for my child?
Yes. Children and teens under 21 with Partnership HealthPlan Medi-Cal qualify for mental health services under the EPSDT benefit. Covered sessions typically cost nothing.
What is the minimum age?
There is no strict minimum age, but telehealth requires a child who can engage in a video session. In practice, most child patients are 6 years and older.
Will I know what my teen talks about?
Guardians are involved with consent. Minors 12 and older have certain confidentiality rights under California law, which your clinician explains at intake.
Do we need a referral from a doctor or school?
No. Parents and guardians can contact PMHS directly. No referral from a pediatrician, school, or regional center is required.
What is EPSDT?
EPSDT is the Medi-Cal benefit for members under 21. It covers medically necessary mental health services, including therapy, often at no cost to families.
Can my teen start therapy without me?
California law allows minors 12 and older to consent to some outpatient mental health care on their own in certain situations. Your clinician can explain how this applies to your family.
Related Services
Other therapy PMHS offers by telehealth
Ready to take the next step?
Support that fits your family. Start this week.
Telehealth therapy across all 24 Partnership HealthPlan counties. No referral needed. No waitlist.
Get Started