FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Support for teens is available for a range of challenges like school stress, sleep issues, relationships, anxiety, and depression. When your child signs up, they’ll have access to behavioral health coaches who can help them through text-based chat with a range of issues, like relationships with peers, effective study habits, anxiety, and depression. Coaches can help you and your teen feel better in the moment and set and achieve goals for the future. If extra support is needed, video-based therapy and psychiatry are also available.

Currently, Ginger for teens is only available in English.

Ginger for Teens is only available to members who reside in the United States.

There's no cost for adolescents ages 13-17 to use our coaching services and self-care resources in the app. Video-based therapy and psychiatry services are also available either at no cost or for a fee, depending on your organization’s plan.

Yes. Sign up to get started with effective, immediate mental healthcare right from your smartphone — for you and your child.

• Download the "Ginger Emotional Support" app. Tap “Get Started” and enter your email.
• We’ll send you an email. Follow the instructions and set up your account in the app.
• In the app, tap “Profile,” then “Dependents.” Enter your dependent’s info.
• Your child will receive an email with instructions to sign up for Ginger, like you did!

Once you’ve referred your child to Ginger through the mobile app, we will send them an email with instructions for them to sign up, just like you did. To get started:

• Ask your child to search their inbox for a Ginger email. Check the spam folder too!
• Download the "Ginger Emotional Support" app.
• In the app, tap "Get started," then tap "Enter an access code."
• In the app, enter the access code from the Ginger email, tap “Next,” and set up your account.

Coaching focuses on where your teen is in the present and your teen’s goals for the future. Our behavioral health coaches are trained professionals who can work with your teen to identify steps they can take to work on a range of challenges, like relationships, time management, anxiety and depression, and making time for self-care.

If your teen needs additional support to manage their mental health, their coach will help connect them to a therapist. Therapists are licensed clinicians who provide in-depth support to address more significant issues or longstanding patterns. Therapy allows teens to dive deeper into past or present issues to make positive changes in their life.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication to manage more severe or enduring symptoms

Coaching sessions happen through in-app text messaging. Therapy and psychiatry sessions take place through video over a platform called Zoom, either on your teen’s phone through the Ginger app or their computer, whichever they prefer. We recommend your teen finds a quiet, private place where they feel comfortable. Your teen will be placed in a virtual waiting room (just like an in-person clinic). Their clinician will admit them into their session as soon as their clinician is ready and has verified their identity.

Coaching is the ideal place to start for most members, since coaches are trained to work with a wide range of situations and can assess the level of care needed. However, we understand that some members are looking for treatment for an active diagnosis or a higher level of care than coaching. If you believe your teen would benefit from therapy or psychiatry, you can reach out to Member Support to schedule an appointment with a Ginger therapist or psychiatrist by clicking on “Chat with Support” on the Video tab. Your teen will still be connected with a coach who will be able to submit a referral for therapy. Your teen must complete the onboarding process in order for them to begin therapy at Ginger. Your teen’s therapist will be able to refer them to psychiatry if needed.

After your teen meets with a therapist or psychiatrist, we recommend they chat with their coach, who can help them make progress between therapy or psychiatry appointments. Their coach will also be able to support them when they step down from clinical services.

Your teen's coach can help determine whether they should start working with a therapist or psychiatrist. If your teen is referred to clinical care, you will be notified via email and the Ginger app to begin the clinical intake process for your teen. You will be connected with Member Support to complete an intake form and schedule an appointment for your teen. You will join the first appointment, but follow-up appointments will be between your teen and their therapist only.

We strongly encourage you to communicate directly with your child about questions you may have regarding their care. You will also have visibility in the app of your child's progress.

We strongly encourage you to communicate directly with your child about questions you may have regarding their care. However, if there is a non-urgent matter, you can contact a Member Support Specialist who will relay your message to your child’s coach, therapist, or psychiatrist. Please note that this route should only be used if absolutely necessary. You will also have visibility in the app of your child’s progress

If your child is in crisis and dealing with an urgent matter, please call 911, your local crisis line or The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 for immediate assistance.

In most cases, your child’s communication with their care team is confidential. However, there are some issues that we are required by law and/or Ginger’s policy to share with parents or other authorities, including safety issues. We also encourage teens to talk with their parents about their mental health.

First, talk to your child to determine what they need. Allow your child to share openly and be willing to listen without judgement. Try not to jump in and offer advice right away. (We realize this isn’t always easy.) Second, remember that there are professionals who can help. Discuss with your child what options might be right for them and for your family. Encourage your child to reach out to a Ginger coach who can offer immediate support, if needed.

If your child’s safety is at risk, call 911 or a local crisis line immediately.

The safety of your child is our priority. If your child is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, please immediately contact 911. You can also reach out to your local crisis center or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255. Make sure that the immediate safety concerns have been addressed before reaching out to your Ginger care team.

If you suspect your child is using alcohol and/or marijuana, it’s important to talk to your child directly. We recognize it can be daunting to have that conversation. Here are some tips that can help:

• Initiate the conversation at a time when you feel calm.
• Let your child know about your specific concerns and that you want to be able to talk openly about them.
• Approach the conversation from a place of curiosity and with a goal of better understanding your child.
• Be prepared to let your child know about your expectations regarding alcohol and/or marijuana. Or, revisit previously set expectations.
  
  *Research shows that teens thrive when they have structure, and setting clear expectations around substance use helps to keep teens safe

Please share your concerns, and any plans you’ve made with your teen, with your child’s Ginger care team. Check out this resource for more information on prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery.

It’s important to talk to your child to understand what’s motivating them to self-harm. People self-harm for a variety of reasons, including to manage emotions or cope with challenging situations. Self-harm does not necessarily indicate a wish to die, but should be taken seriously and assessed by a mental health professional. Approach the conversation with your child without judgement, with openness, and with empathy. Reach out to a Ginger coach or therapist or other mental health professional who can support your child and help them understand their feelings and can work with them to find alternative coping skills. Remind your child about the importance of seeking help, even if they identify the self-harm as minor or experimentation.

Please share with your child’s care team your concerns and any plans you’ve made with your child. If you'd like to learn more about the difference between self-harm and suicide, visit this site.

Executive functioning challenges are pretty common during adolescence. There is a difference between executive functioning difficulties experienced in adolescence (or a general lack of motivation) and a diagnosis of ADHD. Tell your child’s Ginger care team if you have concerns about your child. Check out this resource for more information about ADHD.

Depression can present in many different ways in teens. If your child is experiencing sadness, irritability, lack of motivation, loss of interest in things, extreme fatigue or tiredness, and/or hopelessness that impacts several or all aspects of their life, this could be depression. If you’re concerned about your child’s functioning, start by having an open and honest conversation with your child about how they’re feeling. Be patient, remove judgement, and lead with compassion. It is important for teens to feel heard and validated. Know that there are many resources available if your child is dealing with depression, including Ginger coaching, therapy, psychiatry, crisis lines, websites, and so much more. Take time to identify what is right for your child and family. Check out thisresource for more detailed information on ways to support and be an advocate for your teen.

Talking about sex is a conversation that can feel particularly nerve-wracking for both parents and teens. But, it’s also a must-have conversation. The earlier you’re able to begin talking with your child about sex, the better. Starting to talk about sex earlier can allow you to have several conversations over time, rather than feeling rushed to have one big talk, which can be overwhelming for you and your child. It’s important that you’re able to take time to educate yourself and to identify (and possibly resolve) your personal thoughts and feelings connected to sex and sexuality before you talk with your child. If you’re struggling with this topic, consider talking to a coach or therapist of your own. Check out this resource for more strategies about talking to your child about sex.

When it comes to eating and body image, teens are paying attention to us, their peers, and the media, even when we may not realize it. Talk to your child early about these topics. Here are some tips that we recommend:

• Talk about exercise as a way to be healthy and improve wellness, and not as a way to lose weight.
• Focus more on internal characteristics and values rather than focusing on outward appearance when speaking with or around your child.
• If you hear your child talking about their body or dieting, ask them questions about it. Use the opportunity to better understand your child and their own understanding of what it means to be healthy.
• If you notice a change in your child’s weight, eating habits, or exercise patterns, ask questions using “I” statements free of judgement (e.g. “I noticed your eating habits have changed recently, is everything okay?”).
• Watch TV, movies, and/or look at social media with your child. Use it as a jumping off point for a conversation about body image.
• Help normalize talking to a doctor or mental health provider about eating concerns and body image. You don’t have to wait until there is a problem.
• If you’re aware that your child is engaging in patterns of restrictive eating, purging, or if your child is showing signs of depression (e.g., your child is withdrawn, irritable, experiencing changes in sleep, changes in appetite, lack of motivation, etc.) consider reaching out to their Ginger Care Team, primary care doctor, or other mental health professional right away.

Please visit our FAQs here: https://www.ginger.com/faq

First, it’s great that you have a relationship with your child and/or their friend that allows you to be aware of an issue in the first place. Second, let your child’s friend know that your priority is to keep them safe from harm. If your child’s friend feels comfortable sharing with their own parents about what they’re struggling with, encourage them to do so. Offer to role-play a conversation with the friend about what they might say to their parent. Or, help them map out what they might want to say.  

Let the friend know about Teen Line or Crisis Text Line. If the friend is in a crisis, please reach out to their parent directly and be prepared to reach out to your local crisis agency, 911, or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.

Coaching focuses on where your teen is in the present and your teen’s goals for the future. Our behavioral health coaches are trained professionals who can work with your teen to identify steps they can take to work on a range of challenges, like relationships, time management, anxiety and depression, and making time for self-care

If your teen needs additional support to manage their mental health, their coach will help connect them to a therapist. Therapists are licensed clinicians who provide in-depth support to address more significant issues or longstanding patterns. Therapy allows teens to dive deeper into past or present issues to make positive changes in their life.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication to manage more severe or enduring symptoms.

Coaching sessions happen through in-app text messaging. Therapy and psychiatry sessions take place through video over a platform called Zoom, either on your teen’s phone through the Ginger app or their computer, whichever they prefer. We recommend your teen finds a quiet, private place where they feel comfortable. Your teen will be placed in a virtual waiting room (just like an in-person clinic). Their clinician will admit them into their session as soon as their clinician is ready and has verified their identity.

Due to prescribing restrictions for telemedicine, all controlled substances require an in-person visit, which our platform does not accommodate. Because of this, Ginger psychiatrists cannot prescribe any controlled substances including stimulants, benzodiazepines, or opiates. However, our psychiatrists are able to treat many conditions without medications that are controlled substances.

Ginger therapists are state-licensed healthcare professionals trained in a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches and have either a master's or doctoral degree. Ginger psychiatrists are medical doctors with four additional years of psychiatric training. They're state-licensed to prescribe medication and monitor its effects on your health. Ginger psychiatrists that work with teens have a specialization in adolescent psychiatry.

Ginger psychiatrists are able to prescribe psychotropic drugs, which are medications that target the reduction of mental health symptoms. Examples include certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety medication. Ginger psychiatrists are not permitted to prescribe controlled substances, some of which are used to treat ADHD, including stimulants, benzodiazepines, or opiates, as they require in-person visits for a prescription. Ginger psychiatrists are able to treat most issues without the use of controlled substances.

Coaching is the ideal place to start for most members, since coaches are trained to work with a wide range of situations and can assess the level of care needed. However, we understand that some members are looking for treatment for an active diagnosis or a higher level of care than coaching. If you believe your teen would benefit from therapy or psychiatry, you can reach out to Member Support to schedule an appointment with a Ginger therapist or psychiatrist by clicking on “Chat with Support” on the Video tab. Your teen must complete the onboarding process in order for them to begin therapy or psychiatry at Ginger

After your teen meets with a therapist or psychiatrist, we recommend they chat with their coach, who can help them make progress between therapy or psychiatry appointments. Their coach will also be able to support them when they step down from clinical services.

Your teen's coach can help determine whether they should start working with a therapist or psychiatrist. If your teen is referred to clinical care, you will be notified via email and the Ginger app to begin the clinical intake process for your teen. You will be connected with Member Support to complete an intake form and schedule an appointment for your teen. You will join the first appointment, but follow-up appointments will be between your teen and their therapist only.

We strongly encourage you to communicate directly with your child about questions you may have regarding their care. You will also have visibility in the app of your child's progress.

Ginger values the role of the family system in the mental health of teens. The initial clinical session will provide space for both your teen and you as the parent to connect with the clinician, share information, and develop a collaborative treatment plan to best support the mental health needs of your teen. Parents will be invited to engage in future sessions as deemed clinically appropriate for your teen.

Therapy and psychiatry sessions happen via video chat right from the Ginger app—which means your teen can have their session anywhere they’d like. Your teen can also access their appointment over a platform called Zoom on their computer. We recommend your teen finding a quiet, private place where they feel comfortable. Sessions can range in number and frequency, depending on their needs.

Sessions with a therapist are 45-50 minutes, based on your teen’s needs. With a psychiatrist, the first appointment is 45 minutes and follow-ups are 20 minutes

To change your teen’s appointment, contact the Member Support team in the app at least 24 hours before their scheduled session. If you are unable to provide at least 24 hour notice or your teen is a no-show for their scheduled session, you will be charged for the session.

Your teen can access their appointment from their phone or computer.

To use their phone, they can join the session in the “Video” tab in the Ginger app at the time of their appointment

To use their computer, they can download Zoom here: https://zoom.us/download. When it’s time for their appointment, they can go to the confirmation email and click “start session.”

Your teen will be placed in a virtual waiting room (just like an in-person clinic). Their clinician will admit them into their session as soon as their clinician is ready and has verified their identity.

We strongly encourage you to communicate directly with your child about questions you may have regarding their care. However, if there is a non-urgent matter, you can contact a Member Support Specialist who will relay your message to your child’s coach, therapist, or psychiatrist. Please note that this route should only be used if absolutely necessary. You will also have visibility in the app of your child’s progress.

If your child is in crisis and dealing with an urgent matter, please call 911, your local crisis line or the The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255 for immediate assistance.

In most cases, your child’s communication with their Care Team is confidential. However, there are some issues that we are required by law and/or Ginger’s policy to share with parents or other authorities, including safety issues. We also encourage teens to talk with their parents about their mental health.