In a pivotal moment for the behavioral health industry, GV (formerly Google Ventures) and Triple Aim have teamed up to invest in Guidelight, a newly launched startup that is poised to redefine mental health care by focusing on intermediate levels of care. This investment reflects a growing demand for treatment options that bridge the gap between traditional outpatient services and the more intensive, 24-hour supervision provided in inpatient settings.
With an increasing recognition of the need for more accessible and flexible mental health care options, Guidelight is emerging as a key player in the evolving behavioral health landscape. By offering innovative treatment solutions in the form of Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), Guidelight aims to provide patients with a highly flexible, yet effective, alternative to traditional inpatient care.
The Rise of Guidelight: Meeting the Growing Need for Flexible Behavioral Health Care
Guidelight’s creation is in direct response to a critical gap in the mental health treatment ecosystem. For many individuals in need of behavioral health care, there has traditionally been a stark choice: outpatient care, which can feel insufficient for those in need of more intensive support, or inpatient care, which often requires a complete disruption of a person’s life.
In response, Guidelight offers a middle ground—providing intensive treatment while allowing patients to continue their daily routines and responsibilities. The company’s focus is on meeting the needs of those who require more than traditional outpatient therapy but don’t necessarily need the full-time supervision and structured environment of inpatient care.
Guidelight’s Intensive Outpatient Programs provide a flexible and intensive level of care that allows individuals to receive the support they need without the need for inpatient admission.
A New Approach to Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Programs
At the core of Guidelight’s offering are its Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). These programs provide a flexible, intensive level of care that sits between standard outpatient services and inpatient treatment.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): These programs are designed for individuals who need a higher level of care than what is offered in typical outpatient treatment but don’t require 24/7 inpatient supervision. IOPs are ideal for patients who may be managing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or trauma but are still able to function in their day-to-day lives with the support of therapy and structured care. The Intensive Outpatient Programs offered by Guidelight consist of group therapy sessions for nine hours a week, broken down into three-hour sessions over three days.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): For individuals in need of even more intensive care, PHPs provide a higher level of support without requiring inpatient admission. Like IOPs, PHPs offer patients the opportunity to receive high-intensity care while still maintaining elements of their regular lives, such as work, school, or family commitments. PHPs at Guidelight also consist of nine hours of group therapy per week, supplemented by individual therapy and medication management to ensure a holistic approach to mental health.
Both IOPs and PHPs are structured to allow flexibility, with options for day and night sessions designed to accommodate patients’ work and family schedules. This flexibility is a critical component of the program’s appeal, as it enables patients to engage in treatment without significantly disrupting their daily responsibilities.
The Guidelight Treatment Experience: Personalized and Peer-Based Support
Guidelight’s approach to behavioral health treatment is designed to provide more than just clinical support—it’s about creating a comprehensive, individualized care experience. When a patient enters the program, they begin with an initial psychiatric evaluation and personal assessment to develop a tailored treatment plan. This personalized approach ensures that each patient receives care specific to their needs.
Guidelight’s programs also emphasize the importance of group therapy, which is known to be a powerful therapeutic tool in mental health treatment. Group therapy sessions at Guidelight are offered for nine hours a week and are segmented based on factors such as age, experience, and other affinities. This ensures that patients are placed in groups with peers who have similar life experiences, making the therapy process more effective and supportive.
“Group therapy is an incredible intervention on its own, and it’s more powerful when you do it among your peers,” said Dr. Andy Cruz, the Chief Medical Officer at Guidelight. “There will be tracks for college-aged kids, older adults, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We know that providing care that reflects their specific experiences will make a significant impact on their treatment.”
The company’s leadership team, led by Dr. Cruz—a psychiatrist by training and former medical director at behavioral health tech company Headway—brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the complexities of mental health treatment. Joining Dr. Cruz are Optum veterans Tesha Simpson, Guidelight’s CEO, and Jordan Cox, the company’s Chief Growth and Strategy Officer. Together, they bring an innovative and patient-focused perspective to the business.
Accessibility and Nationwide Expansion Plans
One of the unique features of Guidelight’s approach is its emphasis on in-person treatment, which is particularly important for many patients who prefer face-to-face interaction during their mental health treatment. “We’ve had so many conversations on the ground with patients, providers, and payers, and we’re hearing from everyone that they want to be in-person,” Dr. Cruz explained. “So we’re building brick-and-mortar facilities. There will be a flexible hybrid option if, for example, a child or a patient gets sick, or if you get sick, you should be able to continue accessing care.”
While Guidelight will offer a hybrid option for certain situations, the majority of its services will be provided in-person to create a more immersive and effective therapeutic environment. The company’s nationwide expansion plans are already underway, with the first clinic scheduled to open in Q1 of 2024. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to provide accessible, high-quality care across the United States.
Guidelight is also committed to making its services available to a wide range of individuals, including adolescents and adults aged 12 and over. The company will accept a variety of insurance types, including Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring that its programs are accessible to as many people as possible.
Investment and Support from GV and Triple Aim
Guidelight’s recent funding of approximately $16.35 million, as reported by SEC documents, is expected to help the company expand its team and open new facilities. The backing from GV and Triple Aim provides Guidelight with both financial resources and strategic guidance from experienced investors.
“The backing is significant, such that I do not spend any of my days worried about funding,” Dr. Cruz remarked. “I get to spend my days worrying about building the best clinical curriculum out there and putting together a mission-driven and excited team. We also have access to investor teams, who help us think through the complexities of starting a mental health care business.”
GV and Triple Aim are no strangers to behavioral health investment. Both organizations have made significant investments in companies focused on improving mental health care, such as Firsthand, a peer support startup aimed at helping individuals with serious mental illness access care. GV’s portfolio includes other major behavioral health investments like Headway, Brightline, and Quartet Health. Dr. Ben Robbins, a trained psychiatrist and general partner at GV, has highlighted the potential of intermediate levels of care, noting that PHPs and IOPs are effective at reducing stigma and providing much-needed support.
“We’ve seen a couple of venture-backed companies doing virtual groups, and the sense of connectedness, the rate of engagement, the sustained engagement—it’s really high, especially among teens,” Robbins said at a recent behavioral health event. “But it’s a pretty effective way to get around that stigma around mental health care.”
The Financial and Social Value of IOPs and PHPs
One of the key drivers behind the growing interest in Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) and PHPs is their cost-effectiveness. Traditional inpatient care can be prohibitively expensive, and for many patients, it’s not necessary. Intensive Outpatient Programs and PHPs provide a highly effective, yet more economical alternative, which is especially appealing to payers and health insurance companies.
As Terry Hyman, managing partner at Northwood Healthcare Partners, previously stated, “If someone can be treated in an IOP setting versus an inpatient setting, on a per diem basis, it’s a fraction of the cost. And if you can avoid that inpatient stay or a single ED visit, it is a highly economical alternative.”
This cost-saving potential makes Intensive Outpatient Programs and PHPs an increasingly popular option among both patients and providers alike, helping to ensure that more individuals can access the care they need without the financial burden of inpatient treatment.
Conclusion: Guidelight’s Role in the Future of Behavioral Health
Guidelight is on track to make a significant impact on the future of behavioral health care. By offering flexible, intermediate levels of care in the form of Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) and PHPs, Guidelight is providing patients with more options for receiving the support they need while maintaining their lives outside of treatment.
Backed by the expertise of GV and Triple Aim, and with a strong commitment to accessibility and high-quality care, Guidelight is poised to become a leading force in the growing field of mental health care. For individuals seeking effective treatment that meets their specific needs, Guidelight’s programs offer an exciting new option that balances intensive care with the flexibility to keep patients engaged with their daily lives. As the company expands and continues to innovate, its approach could shape the future of how behavioral health care is delivered in the United States.
 and partial hospitalization..){kind=link}