Clinical Admissions Therapist

Headspace adds referral partners for autism, eating disorders, and high-acuity care. Published. August 12, 2026 Headspace has established referral partnerships with Charlie Health, Cortica, Prosper Health, and Equip, giving members and their families more direct pathways to specialty mental healthcare. The partnerships cover autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, eating disorders, substance use, and mental health needs requiring more intensive support than weekly therapy. They are available to members receiving care through Headspace's employee assistance program and through other employer and consumer channels. Nearly one-third of Headspace referral requests over the past year involved high-need specialty care. The company has provided more than three million care sessions through employers and health plans over the past decade and is supported by a network of more than 65,000 clinicians. When a Headspace therapist, psychiatrist, or coach determines that specialty care is appropriate, the company's Referral Coordination team will explain the available options and arrange a handoff to one of the partner organizations. Charlie Health provides virtual intensive outpatient programs for people ages 8 to 64 with serious mental health conditions, addiction, or co-occurring needs. Cortica offers diagnostic and multidisciplinary care for children with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Prosper Health provides virtual autism evaluations, therapy, and post-diagnosis support for neurodivergent adults. Equip delivers virtual eating disorder care through teams that can include therapists, dietitians, medical providers, and coaches. "Families seeking autism evaluations, eating disorder treatment, or intensive outpatient care are often navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives," said Headspace Chief Clinical Officer Jenna Glover, PhD. "They deserve a clear path to care, not a confusing search process."

Charlie Health, a virtual high-acuity behavioural healthcare provider, has appointed Ashok Balakrishnan as chief technology officer to lead its technology strategy and AI initiatives. Balakrishnan will report to CEO and co-founder Carter Barnhart and oversee scaling of the company's technology infrastructure to meet growing demand from health systems, payers and clients. Balakrishnan previously served as CTO at K Health, where he built an AI-enabled primary digital care model embedded in healthcare systems nationwide. He brings over 25 years of technology experience and expertise in applying AI and machine learning to healthcare delivery. The appointment comes as Charlie Health accelerates investment in its technology platform to support clinicians and enhance its virtual Intensive Outpatient Programmes, which provide personalised treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

What You Should Know:– Charlie Health, the leading provider of virtual high-acuity behavioral healthcare, today announced the launch of its dedicated virtual treatment program for individuals with primary substance use disorders (SUD).– Building on years of experience supporting clients with co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions, the program formalizes and expands Charlie Health’s proven virtual intensive treatment model to serve teens and adults whose primary need is SUD care—delivering personalized support, specialized clinical expertise, and fully integrated, measurement-based treatment.Charlie Health Expands Virtual High-Acuity Care with Comprehensive Substance Use Disorder ProgramCharlie Health, a leading virtual behavioral health provider, delivers high-acuity, evidence-based care designed to drive life-saving outcomes. Offering personalized, intensive treatment for adolescents and adults facing serious mental health and substance use disorders, Charlie Health combines clinical expertise, human connection, and measurement-based care to support long-term recovery. The company is currently in-network with most major commercial and Medicaid health plans across 37 states and growing.Recognizing the critical need—more than 46 million Americans struggle with substance use disorders annually, yet only 6% receive treatment—Charlie Health has launched a new virtual substance use disorder (SUD) program. This initiative addresses access gaps by pairing evidence-based substance use treatment with comprehensive mental health support, ensuring clients receive coordinated care through a single, connected experience.Key features of the virtual SUD program include:Multiple weekly sessions : Clients engage in group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), all delivered virtually to maintain continuity with school, work, and family life.: Clients engage in group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), all delivered virtually to maintain continuity with school, work, and family life. Curated peer cohorts and dedicated care teams : Clients are matched with peer groups and consistent clinical teams to provide clinically aligned support throughout the recovery journey.: Clients are matched with peer groups and consistent clinical teams to provide clinically aligned support throughout the recovery journey. Integrated medication-assisted treatment: MAT options, including buprenorphine and naltrexone, are incorporated into personalized care plans aligned with each client’s treatment progress.Charlie Health’s outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of this model for clients with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions:94% of clients completing treatment did not require readmission to a higher level of care within three months.84% reduction in opioid use and 80% reduction in alcohol use among clients completing care.Significant mental health improvements, with over 70% reductions in self-harm and suicidal ideation, and nearly 50% reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety.To further strengthen accountability and support long-term recovery, Charlie Health has partnered with You Are Accountable, a peer-led recovery support program providing virtual coaching and at-home drug and alcohol testing