Episode Description:
In this episode, Rachel sits down with Dr. Scott Feers, Chief Medical Officer at Amae Health and a leading psychiatrist and neuroscientist, to explore the evolving landscape of severe mental illness (SMI) care. They discuss the innovative integration of technology, AI, and wearable devices into clinical practice to improve outcomes and prevent hospitalizations for individuals living with SMI.

Dr. Feers shares insights from his decades of research and clinical experience, highlighting how Amae Health combines conventional in-person care with digital tools for monitoring, early intervention, and precision treatment. Listeners will gain a clear understanding of how mental health care is being transformed to focus on both mental and physical health, emphasizing the importance of human connection alongside technology.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Challenges of traditional SMI care and repeated hospitalizations

• The role of AI in supporting clinicians without replacing human interaction

• Wearable devices and data-driven insights for sleep, activity, and heart health

• Early detection of relapse to prevent full decompensation

• Integration of primary care, nutrition, and movement into mental health treatment

• Translating neuroscience and genetics research into real-world clinical applications

• Cost efficiencies through early intervention and improved treatment tracking

Main Takeaways:

• Technology and AI can augment care, but human connection remains central to mental health treatment.

• Wearables and digital phenotyping provide objective insights that enhance clinical decision-making.

• Early intervention can prevent hospitalizations, reducing human suffering and healthcare costs.

• Addressing physical health is essential for improving overall outcomes for people with SMI.

• Integrating research-based tools into routine care makes treatment more precise and effective.

Notable Quotes:

• "I have a very strong belief that humans and connections to humans is the core of mental health treatment."

• "If we can catch relapse early, see if we can do low risk, simpler intervention to prevent the more complicated treatment interventions."

• "We know that folks with serious mental illness often have reduced lifespans… a lot of the causes of mortality are basic things like cardiovascular health."

Resources Mentioned:

• For-profit companies open psychiatric hospitals in areas clamoring for care — CBS News

• Private Equity Among US Psychiatric Hospitals — JAMA Psychiatry

• Amae Health Announces $25 Million Series B — Business Wire

Connect with Dr. Scott Feers:

• Website: https://www.amaehealth.com/team/scott-fears

Connect with The Mental Health Evolution:

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

• Instagram: @mentalhealthevolution

• LinkedIn: Mental Health Evolution

• Facebook: Mental Health Evolution

Music Credit: Music by Zach Harrison

Episode Description:
In this second part of her conversation with Josephine Wilton, Chief Strategy Officer at Hullanta Consulting, Rachel dives deeper into the complexities of value-based care. Josephine draws on decades of experience in managed care strategy, population health, and contract design to explore why these models often feel difficult to implement.

This episode examines the operational realities behind value-based care, including the importance of utilization data, the impact of contracts on organizational performance, and the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration. Listeners will gain actionable insights on how to navigate these challenges, advocate for their teams, and optimize care delivery in a system that is constantly evolving.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Understanding the impact of value-based payment measures on provider organizations

• Why utilization data is critical for telling your organization's story

• Contract design and its influence on revenue, operations, and organizational outcomes

• Engaging specialists and ancillary providers in value-based care

• The role of social determinants of health in patient outcomes and reimbursement

• Strategies for data-driven decision-making and negotiating with health plans

Main Takeaways:

• Ownership of your data is essential — know your utilization metrics and communicate your story clearly

• Value-based care cannot succeed with primary care alone; specialists and ancillary providers must be included

• Contracts influence all parts of an organization, not just payment; thorough review is critical

• Collaboration across disciplines and sharing actionable data drives better outcomes

• Advocating for your organization requires persistence and strategic negotiation with health plans

Notable Quotes:

• "So it's very incumbent upon you to tell your story in your way. Don't let someone else tell your story." — Josephine Wilton

• "Primary care cannot do it alone. You need cardiology, endocrinology, podiatry, everyone involved, and they typically haven't so they're contributing to the total cost. They're seeing different needs of the patients than the other providers." — Josephine Wilton

Resources Mentioned:

• National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

• National Academy for State Health Policy

• Milliman

Connect with the Guest:
Josephine Wilton, MHA
Chief Strategy Officer, Hullanta Consulting
hullantaconsulting.com

Connect with The Mental Health Evolution:

• Website: mentalhealthevolution.com

• Instagram: @mentalhealthevolution

• LinkedIn: Mental Health Evolution Podcast

• Facebook: Mental Health Evolution Podcast

Music Credit: Music by Zach Harrison

Episode Description:
In this episode, Rachel sits down with Josephine Wilton, Principal Consultant at Hullanta Consulting, to dive deep into the operational realities of implementing value-based care. They discuss the challenges organizations face in aligning data, staff, and financial models, and how smaller practices and solo practitioners navigate these complex systems. Josephine shares actionable strategies for bridging the gap between theoretical value-based models and real-world execution.

Rachel and Josephine had so much to cover that they'll be back next week to continue the conversation, exploring even more practical solutions and lessons learned from both providers and payers.

Timestamped Highlights:

1. 0:52–4:28 – Introduction of Josephine Wilton and her expertise in operationalizing value-based care.

2. 5:04–7:40 – Early contracting stages and the importance of communication between providers and payers.

3. 10:15–12:27 – Why operational and clinical teams must be involved early in negotiations.

4. 13:30–16:23 – Challenges faced by solo practitioners and smaller organizations in value-based care.

5. 18:32–21:36 – Importance of real-time data and the delays that can impact value-based programs.

6. 26:25–28:24 – Friction points in attribution, performance metrics, and total cost of care.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Value-based care models vs. fee-for-service systems

• Operational and clinical alignment during contract negotiation

• The critical role of real-time data in decision-making

• Challenges for small and solo practices

• Understanding total cost of care and outcomes measurement

Main Takeaways:

• Early involvement of clinical and operations teams is crucial to success.

• Real-time data access is necessary to track performance and guide decisions.

• Smaller organizations may have agility but require support with modeling and analytics.

• Clear communication between providers and payers prevents misalignment and frustration.

• Understanding both baseline and value-based payment structures is essential before execution.

Resources Mentioned:

• Implementing Value-Based Care, a Scoping Review

• Value-Based State-Directed Payments in Medicaid, Feb 2023–May 2024

• Why Primary Care Practitioners Aren't Joining Value-Based Care Payment Models

Connect with the Guest:

• Josephine Wilton, Hullanta Consulting

Connect with The Mental Health Evolution:

• Website: https://www.traumaspecialiststraining.com/mental-health-evolution-podcast

• Instagram: @mentalhealthevolution

• LinkedIn: Mental Health Evolution

• Facebook: Mental Health Evolution

Music by Zach Harrison

• 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