Getting Started
Who is Brightline?
Brightline is an award-winning pediatric mental health practice that provides expert therapy, psychological testing, and psychiatry services to kids and teens. We have three clinics in New York (Brooklyn Heights, Lake Success, and Columbus Circle) and offer both in-person and online care.
What ages of kids do you see?
We treat kids and teens up to age 18.
What concerns do you treat?
Our clinicians have a wide range of experience; some of the concerns we treat include anxiety, ADHD, OCD, disruptive behaviors, depression, trauma, grief, and symptoms of autism.
What states is Brightline care available in?
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Washington.
Does Brightline provide both in-person and online care?
Yes! Families in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut have access to both in-person and online appointments. Our New York clinics are in Brooklyn Heights, Lake Success, and Columbus Circle — with more to come. Families in Massachusetts and Washington have access to online-only therapy and psychiatry services (including medication management). Families in California with kids up to age 12 have access to free coaching and resources through Brightline’s BrightLife Kids program — an online-only behavioral health resource paid for entirely by the state of California.
If we are out of town, can my child still do their online session?
It depends. Clinicians can only provide care in states where they are licensed. Before your scheduled appointment, please talk with your child’s care team or engagement services to confirm or reschedule as needed.
How much does Brightline cost?
It depends on the type of payment (insurance vs. out of pocket) and the type of service.
Those paying out of pocket can typically expect to pay $350 for an initial therapy session and ongoing sessions are $200–$275 each. On average, psychiatry sessions range from $225–$350 each. And psychological testing can fall between $2,000–$5,000 depending on whether testing is held for a singular concern, complex or multiple concerns, school readiness, or complex learning evaluations.
We are in network — no referrals needed — with Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Premera, and many more. If we are out of network with your insurance, we provide superbills. Brightline services can also be paid for using HSA/FSA funds.
Please visit our pricing page for additional information. For any other questions, call engagement services at (888) 224-7332 (available Monday–Friday from 8am–12am EST).
Do you take insurance?
Yes. We accept Aetna, Cigna, Premera, Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, and many more. All Brightline services are HSA and FSA eligible and we provide superbills. For more information or to find out if Brightline is covered under your insurance plan, call Brightline at (888) 224-7332.
Brightline Care
How old does my child have to be for care?
Brightline supports kids and teens up to age 18. Teens who turn 18 while in our care will continue to receive support as appropriate and if needed, we will create a transition plan for them.
How do I know if my child actually needs therapy?
Ask us! We will have a structured, in-depth conversation with you and your child to gather details about your child’s developmental history, patterns or changes you’ve noticed, and any concerns you have. Together, we will decide whether your child could benefit from therapy or another type of support.
Will my child be in treatment for a long time?
It depends on what your child needs. Your child’s therapist will partner with you to create an individualized care plan. Part of the plan will include an estimated number of sessions. The number can vary based on two things — the program your child is in and how they progress over time. Our goal is to help your child feel better and to move them out of care once they are equipped with the skills they need to thrive long term.
Are parents involved in the child’s treatment?
Yes, parental involvement and support is vital to every child’s progress. If your child is in therapy, you will likely participate in some sessions along with your child. You also have the option of having parent-only sessions with your child’s therapist. And, depending on your child’s age, stage of development, and the main reason you’re seeking support, it might be the case that most of the sessions could be held with the parent(s) only.
Our Programs
What is Brightline’s approach to care?
We provide specialized mental health care for kids and teens up to age 18, and we rely heavily on evidence-based approaches and state-of-the-science care. Everything you need is in one place — as your child’s needs change, their care plan will evolve.
What kinds of therapy approaches do your clinicians use?
All Brightline therapists and coaches use evidence-based therapies in their care approach. Some examples include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Parent Management Training (PMT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). All intervention strategies offered at Brightline are supported by research that shows they work for the types of issues you’re looking to address, and are matched to your child’s needs.
Does Brightline offer focused programs?
Yes. We offer general therapy to support a variety of common mental health challenges, along with four focused programs that specifically address anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and disruptive behaviors. All of our programs can include psychiatry, which means that if medication is recommended as part of your child’s progress, you don’t have to go anywhere else to bring that treatment into the care plan.
How long does each program take?
Generally speaking, therapy runs anywhere between 8–16 sessions, and a typical course of psychiatry (including medication management appointments) is between 6–10 sessions. But how long your child stays in treatment depends on what they’re going through and how they respond to care. You’ll get an estimated length of care after your child’s diagnostic evaluation.
Contact us
How do I get in touch?
We’re available via phone, email, or online. Visit our Contact us page for details.
Can I reach my child’s therapist between sessions?
Yes. You’ll have a phone number you can call to reach your child’s therapist directly during business hours. You can also get in touch via our chat feature on the Brightline app (also during business hours).
Does Brightline have an emergency line?
No, Brightline is not an emergency service. If you have an emergency and your child is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, call 911. If your child is in distress and needs to talk to someone right away, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). You can also chat from a computer at 988lifeline.org.
Where can I submit feedback or a complaint?
If you have any feedback, the best way to share it is by emailing [email protected]. Please include your name, phone number, and anything you’d like to share about your experience. In order to protect your privacy, please do not include any protected health information (PHI) in the subject line or body of the email; communication via email over the internet is not secure.
Data & Privacy
Is my family’s data private?
Yes. Brightline complies with all applicable data privacy laws. Our highest priority is your privacy and the safe and secure management of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected Healthcare Information (PHI).
Does Brightline adhere to HIPAA laws?
Yes. Brightline complies with all HIPAA laws. Our highest priority is your privacy and the safe and secure management of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected Healthcare Information (PHI).
What steps does Brightline take to keep my family’s information safe?
We use reasonable and appropriate physical, electronic, and administrative safeguards, including industry-standard SSL-encryption to enhance the security of data transmissions. Your account information is password-protected for your privacy and security. And, we negotiate and sign Business Associate Agreements (BAA) with all other platforms that may store PHI, ensuring the vendor remains compliant with our program standards for protecting your information.
Where can I find Brightline’s terms of service and other policy information?
Brightline routinely updates various service documents to reflect the constantly changing legislative and policy landscape. The most recent versions are linked below. For questions about our privacy practices, please email [email protected].
Crisis & Emergency Resources
Can Brightline help in case of an acute mental health crisis or emergency?
No, Brightline is not an emergency service. If you have an emergency and your child is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, call 911. If your child is in distress and needs to talk to someone right away, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). You can also chat from a computer at 988lifeline.org.
Please visit hellobrightline.com/safety for more information about safety tips and resources.