Therify Raises $1.3M Seed Round to Diversify Therapist Network

The Challenge of Finding the Right Therapist

Locating a suitable therapist can be a difficult process for anyone, but the challenge intensifies for individuals from marginalized communities, such as people of color or those with disabilities, when there’s a lack of available professionals who share similar life experiences. Therify was created to address this issue, building a network of therapists who both represent and cater to these underserved populations.

A Personal Revelation and a Growing Need

Co-founder James Edward Murray explained the impetus behind Therify, noting the logical necessity of such a service. He experienced this firsthand while participating in Y Combinator’s Summer 2021 demo day. The core problem is straightforward: many individuals struggle to find therapists with whom they feel truly comfortable, a difficulty compounded when specific personal preferences are considered.

As a Black man, Murray initially sought a Black female therapist, someone akin to the women who raised him and with whom he felt a natural sense of vulnerability. However, factoring in practical considerations like scheduling, availability, and therapeutic methodologies, his options were severely limited. He believed it was unacceptable that so few professionals shared his background were accessible through the existing system.

From Informal Matching to a Formal Business

Murray discovered this wasn’t an isolated experience. “I spoke with colleagues of color and those with disabilities,” he stated, “and it became evident that a significant gap existed.” He initially responded by creating a simple Google form to connect individuals with culturally sensitive therapists, successfully matching over a hundred people.

This informal effort quickly evolved when companies expressed interest in incorporating this service into their employee benefits packages. “That’s when I realized this had real value,” Murray recounted.

Building the Therify Network

Murray partnered with Warren Sadler, a CTO with a background in machine learning within the healthcare industry, after successfully persuading him to join the venture.

Therify functions by aggregating a diverse supply of therapists, particularly those associated with large group practices or specializing in serving individuals who face barriers to accessing traditional mental healthcare.

Expanding Beyond a Single Community

“Initially, my focus was on serving the Black community,” Murray admitted, “but as I progressed, I recognized the broader scope of the opportunity. We now concentrate on anyone who feels underrepresented – not just Black and Latinx employees, but also Asian employees, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and anyone with marginalized identities.”

He explained that users can specify their needs on Therify, such as a focus on anxiety, a preference for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a location in Los Angeles, and a South Asian cultural background. This ensures they are connected with a therapist who understands their unique identity and experiences, a crucial element often missing in traditional therapy searches.

Addressing Barriers to Access

Therify integrates with employee benefits programs, acting as a liaison between users and covered providers. They also offer coverage for initial sessions to facilitate the matching process and provide group therapy formats to overcome stigma and other obstacles faced by certain communities.

Image Credits: Therify

Murray highlighted the stigma surrounding therapy in some communities. “Group formats, which allow for anonymous participation, can be particularly effective for addressing issues like imposter syndrome or race-related trauma, offering an alternative to traditional one-on-one sessions.”

Image Credits: Therify

Streamlining Payments and Leveraging the Digital Shift

Therify has rapidly onboarded hundreds of providers, partly due to its efficient payment system. Therapists often experience delays in receiving payments, and many in marginalized communities operate on a sliding scale. Therify guarantees market rates and direct deposit.

The increasing adoption of digital therapy has also played a role, as have companies’ growing recognition of the importance of mental health benefits as part of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Mental Health as a DEI Imperative

“Mental health is a DEI issue,” Murray emphasized. “Employees from underrepresented backgrounds are more likely to experience job dissatisfaction, report mental health symptoms, and encounter work-related mental health challenges. It’s a significant retention problem.”

He argued that companies often invest in DEI programs without establishing the necessary infrastructure to attract and retain a diverse workforce. He personally experienced this at Facebook, and knows he isn’t alone.

Securing Funding for Growth

Therify recently secured a $1.3 million seed round led by SoftBank’s SB Opportunity Fund, with participation from Looking Glass Capital, Y Combinator, Flexport, True Culture Fund, K5 Global, and several individual investors, including former Reddit CEO Ellen Pao.

Future Expansion and Impact

Murray stated that the funding will be used to expand Therify’s provider network and sales channels. The company plans to launch in Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia within the next 18 months, requiring significant legal and compliance work. However, the core product is readily adaptable, thanks to the widespread availability of video conferencing technology.

As Therify grows and serves more individuals, the goal is to improve the matching process and ensure everyone has access to the mental health support they deserve. This represents a crucial step towards making quality mental healthcare accessible, simple, and equitable for all.