• 00:03 – Introduction to Matthew Stone and overview of episode
• 06:10 – Discussion on the increase in student mental health needs post-COVID
• 11:03 – Overview of federal grant shifts and funding uncertainty
• 14:07 – Impact of grant terminations on hiring and staffing
• 19:01 – Focus on school psychologists and narrowing of grants
• 25:38 – Implications for districts trying to fulfill local needs

• COVID's impact on student mental health
• Federal grant programs for school mental health
• Policy changes and administrative priorities
• Workforce challenges: counselors, social workers, and psychologists
• Local district strategies for sustaining services

• Student mental health needs have increased, exacerbated by COVID
• Policy changes and grant terminations create uncertainty for districts
• Narrowing grants to school psychologists may limit local flexibility
• States and districts are developing innovative strategies to meet needs
• Sustaining mental health services requires planning beyond federal funding

• "I think the focus on school psychologists has stumped a lot of people in the mental health world."
• "Schools are navigating unprecedented changes while trying to provide consistent support to students."

• KFF: The Landscape of School-Based Mental Health Services
• US House Press Release: Fitzpatrick Leads Bipartisan Coalition
• Education Week: Trump Admin Relaunches School Mental Health Grants

For this week's episode, I was excited to welcome Dr. Dylan Ross, PhD, LMFT, LPCC, Head of Clinical at Blueprint AI and a nationally recognized leader in behavioral healthcare, clinical innovation, and measurement-based care. Dr. Ross brings a wealth of experience from his leadership roles at Optum, Rogers Behavioral Health, and Kaiser Permanente, where he shaped clinical strategy, digital innovation, and measurement-informed care frameworks. He currently chairs the American Psychological Association's National Advisory Committee for Measurement-Based Care, guiding national strategy on standardized clinical measurement protocols.

In this conversation, Dr. Ross shares insights on measurement-based care (MBC), value-based care, and how AI can support clinicians without replacing clinical judgment. We discuss how integrating patient-reported outcomes into routine practice improves clinical efficiency, therapeutic alliance, and outcomes, while also addressing workforce challenges and administrative burden. He also highlights Blueprint's AI-driven tools that save clinicians time, enhance care delivery, and enable real-time insights to support patient care.

0:03 – Introduction to Dr. Dylan Ross, his background in behavioral health, and his current role at Blueprint AI
4:08 – Dr. Ross shares his career journey from Kaiser Permanente to Optum, Rogers Behavioral Health, and Blueprint AI
9:27 – Explaining measurement-based care (MBC): definition, benefits, and impact on treatment outcomes
16:02 – Adoption rates and challenges of MBC in behavioral health, including clinician and patient engagement
17:42 – Value-based care: evolution, payer perspectives, and how outcomes drive reimbursement
27:17 – How AI supports clinicians: reducing administrative burden, increasing MBC adoption, and providing real-time session insights
34:25 – Call to action for the behavioral health system: workforce preparedness, aligned incentives, and systemic improvements

• Value-Based Care: What It Is, and Why It's Needed — Commonwealth Fund

• Getting on Board with Measurement: Implementing Measurement-Informed Mental Health Care — Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)

• AI in Behavioral Health Documentation: Ethical Considerations for Mental Health Clinicians — Blueprint AI Blog

• Website: Blueprint AI

• LinkedIn: Dylan Ross

• Website: The Mental Health Evolution

• Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution

• LinkedIn: The Mental Health Evolution

• Facebook: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Music by Zach Harrison

In this episode, Rachel talks to Dr. Jane Zhu, an internal medicine physician, health services researcher, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Zhu's work focuses on how ownership and financial structures shape healthcare delivery and equity — an increasingly important lens as private equity investment grows in behavioral health.

Rachel and Dr. Zhu explore her research on the geographic penetration of private equity ownership in outpatient and residential behavioral health, discussing the implications for access, quality, and clinician autonomy. They also dive into the broader trends of consolidation, policy oversight, and the transparency challenges that affect both patients and providers.

0:34 – Introduction to Dr. Zhu and her research focus
1:22 – Why private equity is expanding into behavioral health
3:08 – Key findings from Dr. Zhu's JAMA Psychiatry study
6:27 – Impacts on care quality, clinician autonomy, and patient access
9:52 – Policy and transparency implications for healthcare ownership
13:10 – Dr. Zhu's takeaway: balancing investment with public accountability

• Private Equity's Inroads into Mental Health Bring Concern – Psychiatry Online

• Geographic Penetration of Private Equity Ownership in Outpatient and Residential Behavioral Health – JAMA Psychiatry

Website: OHSU – Jane M. Zhu, MD, MPP, MSHP
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janemzhu

Website: The Mental Health Evolution
Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution
LinkedIn: The Mental Health Evolution
Facebook: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Music by Zach Harrison

What does it take to grow a mental health practice sustainably—without burning out the people who make it work? In this episode, host Rachel Harrison talks with Dan King, Co-Founder of Fireside Strategic, about how to align profitability with purpose in behavioral health. Dan shares lessons from years advising investors and business leaders on building organizations where clinicians thrive, culture drives retention, and long-term success balances both human and financial outcomes.

Listeners will hear practical advice on finding the right investment partners, understanding private equity and venture capital dynamics, and leading with values in a changing behavioral health market. Whether you're a clinician, practice owner, or investor, this conversation offers a blueprint for growth without burnout.

• Full Transcript: Provided

• Guest Name: Dan King

• Title / Role / Credentials: Co-Founder, Fireside Strategic

• Bio / Expertise: Dan King is the Co-Founder of Fireside Strategic, helping companies scale sustainably by focusing on human-centered growth. With experience in organizational psychology, M&A strategy, and executive coaching, Dan aligns profitability with purpose to build organizations that thrive without burnout.

• Website: https://www.firesidestrategic.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmking/

• 0:32 – Introduction to Dan King and Fireside Strategic

• 1:08 – Why aligning business growth with human well-being matters

• 2:12 – Lessons from scaling companies that grew too fast

• 3:40 – The link between culture, retention, and sustainable success

• 5:05 – How private equity and venture capital differ in behavioral health

• 7:14 – Finding the right investment partner for your mission

• 9:48 – Balancing profitability with clinician satisfaction

• 12:22 – The future of integrated behavioral health services

• 14:36 – Measuring both financial and human outcomes

• 16:18 – Practical advice for practice owners considering investors

• 18:07 – Key traits of leaders who build without burnout

• Mental Health's Investment Resurgence: A Market Ripe for Innovation – Galen Growth

• Venture Capital's Priorities Are Evolving as Behavioral Health Market Matures – Behavioral Health Business

• Fireside Strategic – Dan King

• Website: firesidestrategic.com

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking

• Website: The Mental Health Evolution

• Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution

• LinkedIn: The Mental Health Evolution

• Facebook: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Music by Zach Harrison

In this episode, Rachel speaks with Becky DeGrossa, founder of CounselingWise, about the evolving landscape of mental health marketing. Becky shares her insights on how private practice therapists can leverage local marketing and AI to thrive, even in a market crowded with venture-backed platforms. She discusses practical strategies for mapping the client search journey, creating visibility online, and building sustainable practices that attract the right clients.

• Becky's unique blend of tech, psychology, and marketing experience

• Local clinicians' advantage over large therapy platforms

• Combining local marketing with AI as a competitive equalizer

• Key strategies for Search Everywhere Optimization

• Common mistakes therapists make in local search ranking

• Becky's top advice: do the work to create lasting visibility

• Is This the End of the Private Practice Therapist? – Mental Health Match

• The Marketing Formula That's Fueling Small Business Success – Entrepreneur

Website: counselingwise.com | skool.com/private-practice-builders
LinkedIn: Becky DeGrossa

Website: https://www.traumaspecialiststraining.com/mental-health-evolution-podcast
Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-mental-health-evolution/
Facebook: /TheMentalHealthEvolution

Music by Zach Harrison

In this episode, Rachel talks with Deborah Steinberg, Senior Health Policy Attorney at the Legal Action Center, about the current state of mental health parity in the U.S. Deborah explains what parity means, why it matters, and how gaps in enforcement continue to affect patients and providers.

They also discuss the recent HHS rule reversal and its impact on insurance coverage, including disparities in reimbursement and network adequacy. Listeners will learn about key barriers in mental health and substance use disorder care, as well as practical steps for advocacy and holding plans accountable.

• Introduction to Deborah Steinberg and her policy work

• Overview of mental health parity laws and importance

• Discussion on HHS rule reversal and its impact

• Disparities between mental and physical health coverage

• Enforcement gaps at federal and state levels

• Role of data collection in identifying parity violations

• Network adequacy challenges for providers and patients

• Aligning health plan coverage criteria with standards of care

• Steps consumers can take to report parity violations

• Ways to engage in state-based advocacy and reforms

• Advocacy benefits for patients, providers, and systemic change

• Mental Health Care May Be Harder to Obtain After HHS Rule Reversal – STAT News

• New Tool Brings Mental Health Parity Problems to Light – AMA

• Commissioner King Fines Insurers Over $20 Million for Parity Violations – Georgia OCI

• Mental Health Parity Enforcement Updates – Congressman Tonko

• Website: https://www.lac.org

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-steinberg-b4822536/

• Instagram: @deborahgwen

• Website: The Mental Health Evolution

• Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution

• LinkedIn: The Mental Health Evolution

• Facebook: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Music by Zach Harrison

This week, we have a solo episode in which Rachel explores the mental health system through a family systems lens. She examines how different players—including clients, providers, insurers, tech companies, and advocacy organizations—interact and influence access to care, reimbursement, and overall system outcomes. Listeners will gain insight into systemic disparities, the role of new disruptors, and how ongoing dialogue and advocacy can help create a healthier mental health ecosystem.

0:30 – Rachel introduces solo episode exploring the mental health system
1:06 – Discusses therapist income disparities and systemic influences
2:56 – Explains using a family systems lens to view the industry
3:48 – Highlights relevant articles on barriers to mental health care
7:28 – Role of clients/patients and access challenges in the system
9:52 – Income and influence of individual providers in insurance networks
13:14 – Tech companies and managed service organizations as system disruptors
17:08 – Insurance companies' influence on reimbursement, coverage, and policy
19:01 – Advocacy groups shaping regulations, standards, and systemic improvements
20:05 – Importance of dialogue among all system players for better outcomes

• Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Care in the U.S. – AAMC

• Therapist Salaries in 2025 – Twofold

• Website: The Mental Health Evolution

• Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution

• LinkedIn: The Mental Health Evolution

• Facebook: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Music by Zach Harrison

In this episode of Mental Health Evolution, host Rachel Harrison sits down with Cathy Gilbert, a seasoned consultant and former insurance executive, to unpack how new and proposed health care policies are reshaping the future of mental health services. Cathy brings a wealth of expertise from her work in provider network development, operations, and policy analysis, offering both a big-picture perspective and practical strategies for navigating change.

Together, Rachel and Cathy dive into the Big Beautiful Bill and other recent federal actions affecting Medicaid, ACA coverage, telehealth, and funding for crisis services. Listeners will gain valuable insight into how these shifts impact providers and patients alike, from reimbursement rates to eligibility requirements. Cathy also shares concrete advice for solo and group practice owners on what to watch for and how to prepare. This episode will help you better understand the fast-moving policy environment and make informed decisions for your practice.

• 0:37 – Guest introduction: Cathy Gilbert's career in insurance and consulting

• 1:11 – Overview of the Big Beautiful Bill and major policy shifts

• 3:23 – Why policy changes feel faster in behavioral health

• 4:35 – Impact on vulnerable populations losing health coverage

• 6:20 – Provider challenges: reimbursement cuts and sustainability concerns

• 10:16 – A rare positive: permanent telehealth coverage provisions

• 12:59 – Unresolved concerns: in-person visit requirements for telehealth

• 13:54 – Key advice for solo and group practice owners

• 14:33 – Medicaid retroactive coverage shortened and what it means

• 15:19 – How often providers should check eligibility

• 17:03 – Why monitoring payer notices is critical during rapid change

• 18:35 – Closing reflections and key takeaways

• New Policies Affecting Access to Mental Health Care

• NAMI Statement on Final Passage of Bill Cutting Medicaid for Millions of Americans | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Website: https://ceghealth.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-gilbert-29648421/

Website: The Mental Health Evolution
Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution
LinkedIn: The Mental Health Evolution
Facebook: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Music by Zach Harrison