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