Mental health care is no longer just for those with diagnosed conditions, it’s a part of overall wellness for everyone. However, access to care remains a challenge, even for those with a diagnosis.
Across the United States, about two-thirds of Americans with diagnosed conditions and insurance were unable to access treatment in 2021, according to a 2023 report released by actuary firm Milliman. Even those who visited an emergency room or hospital for care during a crisis struggled to receive the care they needed — only a third of insured people received follow-up care within a month of discharge.
In addition to provider shortages in every state nationwide, lack of insurance creates additional barriers. “The average self-pay cost for someone without insurance coverage for a 60-minute psychotherapy visit was $174 in 2021,” the Milliman report stated.
Grow Therapy wants to change that. The company is on a mission to make quality mental healthcare accessible to all by empowering therapists and providers to launch and grow their private practices. The company bridges the gap between therapists and clients, offering easy-to-use platforms that streamline care while ensuring patients can find the help they need, often at affordable rates through insurance.
At the heart of Grow Therapy’s operations is its vibrant, mission-driven culture, according to Director of Product Bre Vergess.
“Every person at Grow has seen the importance of mental health in some direct or indirect way, and it’s palpable in the way that people treat each other,” she said. “The people you work with are just that: people. We all have things that we are navigating outside of work, and my team knows how much I value assuming the best intentions and treating people with respect, even during times of stress or disagreement.”
“Every person at Grow has seen the importance of mental health in some direct or indirect way, and it’s palpable in the way that people treat each other.”
Vergess highlighted the unique sense of community and mutual respect among the teams at Grow Therapy. By celebrating each other’s contributions, from the smallest to the largest milestones, Grow’s culture reflects a deep connection to that mission.
“There’s an instinct in every person at Grow Therapy to celebrate their teammates, and it’s clear that we all understand how much stronger we are and how much further we can go together,” she said. “We recently celebrated a multimillion session milestone, and like every announcement, big or small, it was met with genuine kudos and appreciation for the time, energy and expertise that everyone has contributed across all our teams, and even celebration of our providers who have delivered that life-changing care.”
In a field as critical as mental health, where providers work tirelessly to help others heal, Grow Therapy cultivates an environment that empowers its team to not only support their clients but also one another. Vergess shared more with Built In about how this collective effort, driven by a shared sense of purpose, has allowed the company to thrive while bringing life-changing care to users.
What’s your role? What are your responsibilities?
I’m our director of product at Grow Therapy. I oversee the product team and support our talented product managers building for all the audiences that interact with our products: clients seeking and receiving mental health support, providers who deliver that care and payor partners such as insurers covering and connecting people to care. I drive our holistic product strategy and ensure that our product offerings and product teams work together to provide the best mental health product experience possible.
What’s your vision for leading your team?
My vision for leading the team is rooted in trust, accountability and growth. At Grow Therapy, we’re fortunate to have not only an incredibly talented team but one that’s deeply passionate about our mission to make therapy accessible. I believe each person brings unique talent, perspective, and value, which is why I default to high-trust — giving my team the agency to take ownership of the products they’re building.
That high trust comes with high accountability. In return, I expect thoughtfulness in what we build and why, ensuring we build a cohesive product experience that takes into account the lessons we’ve learned along the way. But above all, I care about my team as individual people and professionals. I’m committed to helping them grow, feel seen and succeed — whatever that success looks like for them individually. When each person on the team thrives, we reach better outcomes and have a bigger impact together.
What structures or policies support Grow Therapy’s values, culture and mission?
Grow is a mental health tech company — and that’s not limited to the services we support. We’ve made a point to prioritize the mental health and well-being of our employees just as much as we do for the clients and providers we serve. We offer weekly mental health mornings or afternoons which gives people the space for self-care during their week, therapy and wellness stipends, support for learning opportunities and benefits designed to support both personal well-being and professional growth.
Our goal is for every employee to view Grow as a place where they can not only do some of the best work of their careers but also feel supported in other aspects of their lives. Equality is also at the heart of our mission. We believe that everyone deserves access to affordable mental health care, and that emphasis on equality carries into our internal culture as well. We are committed to building diverse teams, and we know that diverse teams build the best products. Our strong ERGs and inclusive hiring principles ensure that every voice is heard and that our teams reflect the people we serve.
“We believe that everyone deserves access to affordable mental health care, and that emphasis on equality carries into our internal culture as well.”
How do you build team culture?
Team culture is rooted in trust. At Grow Therapy, that starts with openness — creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable communicating their needs, opinions and concerns. But trust goes beyond speaking up; it means being curious and actively listening, not only to each other but also to our clients and providers and seeking out diverse perspectives to drive better decisions.
Trust is also essential at a rapidly growing company like ours, where we constantly face new challenges and take on new things. As we take on new roles and responsibilities, we have to trust that even as we step away from certain areas, our team will keep driving progress forward. This trust in the people around us allows us to each focus deeply on the challenges we are solving.
I’m also a big believer in positivity. This isn’t blind optimism — it’s grounded in genuine gratitude for the opportunity to work with brilliant people on something that truly matters: making mental health care accessible to everyone. That sense of purpose and positivity keeps the team energized and resilient, no matter what challenges we face.
How do you help your team grow their careers?
Supporting my team’s career growth starts with understanding their aspirations. It’s my role to help them grow, whether that’s in their current function or exploring new paths. By having open conversations about their goals, we can tailor development opportunities to fit their unique ambitions.
Feedback is another key component. While it can be daunting, I encourage my team to see constructive feedback as a collaborative tool rather than criticism. When people can understand that feedback comes from a place of support and someone’s belief in their potential, it becomes a powerful motivator for growth. I also expect them to treat feedback as a two-way street — we hold each other accountable to growth and improvement, highlighting each others’ strengths and helping each other grow in areas where we can be better.
I’m especially energized when people express a desire to learn something new. Whether it’s a skill within the product organization or a new area of interest, I love helping them find resources, shadow others in the company who have those strengths or brainstorm opportunities together. This not only fuels their personal development but also reinforces a culture of continuous improvement.
What is the employee value proposition for those thinking about joining Grow Therapy? What impact does working there have on someone’s career?
At Grow Therapy, joining our team means being part of a rapidly growing company, surrounded by a diverse and talented group of people, with a profound mission. You’ll find opportunities for personal and professional growth in an environment that values innovative thinking and collaboration. The team is stellar — with remarkable talent in every pocket of the company.
And last, while many companies and startups are “mission-driven,” Grow uniquely improves the lives of people throughout the United States every single day, helping them live happier, healthier lives. It’s incredibly motivating to know that together, we’re having that kind of impact day-in and day-out.
