Robert Krayn, co-founder and CEO of Talkiatry, has been named a 2024 Future Leader by Behavioral Health Business (BHB), a prestigious recognition in the behavioral health space. The title is awarded to young leaders under 40 who are not only high performers but also demonstrate an unwavering passion for improving behavioral health services and advocating for those in need. They are individuals who can take a vision and turn it into actionable results, all while maintaining a commitment to those they serve and the professionals working alongside them.
For Krayn, this recognition marks a significant milestone in his journey of transforming behavioral health care. He started Talkiatry in 2020 with the mission of making psychiatric care more accessible, effective, and patient-centered. What began as a telepsychiatry service in New York City has since expanded to 43 states and employed over 300 psychiatrists, providing virtual care that is vital to individuals struggling with mental health issues.
In June 2024, Talkiatry raised $130 million in an equity and debt financing round, led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, further solidifying its place as a leader in telepsychiatry leadership. BHB spoke with Krayn about his personal journey into the behavioral health industry, the challenges and lessons learned along the way, and his vision for the future of psychiatry and mental health care.
A Personal Journey into Behavioral Health
Krayn’s path into the behavioral health industry was deeply personal. In 2016, he experienced a traumatic home invasion in New York City, an event that left him shaken and in need of psychiatric care. Reaching out for help, he turned to a friend whose wife was a psychiatrist. His friend suggested he seek professional help, and thus began Krayn’s own journey as a patient. Unfortunately, the process was far from seamless. Krayn quickly realized that the system for finding and accessing care was fractured, and navigating it proved to be a cumbersome experience.
Krayn found it difficult to locate a psychiatrist who accepted insurance. Ultimately, he was forced to go out of pocket, which limited his options and made his care feel even more inaccessible. This experience ignited a desire to improve the mental health system from within. He wanted to build a solution that could bridge the gap between patients and care providers, making it easier for individuals to get the help they need without the financial and logistical barriers that so many face. This drive led to the creation of Talkiatry, a telepsychiatry platform that aims to make quality psychiatric care available to people across the United States.
Krayn’s work in telepsychiatry leadership is reshaping the accessibility of mental health care, ensuring that patients can connect with the right professionals no matter where they are. Talkiatry’s rapid expansion shows the critical demand for accessible and high-quality psychiatric services.
Lessons Learned in the Industry
Krayn’s journey in building Talkiatry has not been without its challenges. One of the biggest lessons he’s learned is that there are no shortcuts in building a successful company, especially when it comes to healthcare. Krayn emphasizes that any organization entering the behavioral health space must make a choice: are they building a consumer-facing company, or are they building a healthcare company?
In his view, the healthcare company must always come first. High-quality clinical care must be the cornerstone of any behavioral health organization. Once that foundation is laid, it becomes possible to build a patient-friendly platform that appeals to individuals seeking care. Krayn notes that too many companies try to straddle the line between consumer company and healthcare company, but ultimately, he believes that focusing on providing top-notch healthcare should be the priority.
One of the key challenges that Talkiatry continues to face is the shortage of psychiatrists in the U.S. This shortage has created a significant gap in access to psychiatric services. Krayn advocates for more psychiatrists to enter the field and for better solutions to address the shortage. He also points out that connecting physical and behavioral health is an important area that needs more attention. The integration of physical and mental health care is still lagging behind other medical specialties, but Krayn is optimistic that the industry is beginning to move in the right direction. Better data and a more integrated approach to care will ultimately lead to improved outcomes for patients.
Krayn’s dedication to telepsychiatry leadership is pivotal in addressing this gap, helping to provide much-needed access to psychiatric services.
The Future of Behavioral Health Care
Looking ahead to the future of behavioral health, Krayn is optimistic about the changes that are coming. One area he sees growing momentum is measurement-based care, which he believes is a critical step toward value-based care. In the past, the behavioral health industry has often lagged behind other medical fields in terms of data and outcomes measurement. However, with the increased use of electronic health records (EHRs) and the push for more structured data collection, there is now more opportunity to better understand patient outcomes and use this information to improve care.
Krayn also notes that payers—such as insurance companies—are becoming more thoughtful in how they build their behavioral health networks. Access to care is no longer enough; payers are now looking for networks that offer high-quality, effective care. This shift is helping to elevate the industry as a whole and improve the overall patient experience.
Another major shift Krayn foresees in the coming years is the continued integration of technology into behavioral health care. Telepsychiatry leadership and virtual care models, which have grown exponentially in recent years, are here to stay. Krayn believes that these models not only provide much-needed access to care but also create opportunities for better coordination and more personalized treatment.
Krayn’s leadership in telepsychiatry leadership is at the forefront of this movement, as he continues to advocate for scalable solutions that can meet the growing demand for mental health care.
What Makes a Future Leader?
When asked what qualities future leaders in the behavioral health space must possess, Krayn’s response is simple but profound: adaptability. The behavioral health landscape is changing rapidly, and future leaders need to be capable of evolving alongside it. Whether it’s adjusting to new regulations, shifting toward a value-based care model, or adapting to new technology, leaders must be flexible and forward-thinking.
For Krayn, this adaptability isn’t just about staying on top of trends; it’s about leading with vision and resilience. He points out that the behavioral health space is undergoing a major transformation, and leaders must be ready to navigate this shift. This may involve consolidating in the industry, embracing new care models, or even making bold decisions to prioritize quality care over immediate financial returns. For Krayn, this has always been the guiding principle in his leadership approach.
His emphasis on telepsychiatry leadership underscores the importance of evolving with the times and leading with purpose. The shift towards virtual care models is a key area where leaders must demonstrate flexibility and innovation to meet the changing needs of patients.
Advice to His Younger Self
Reflecting on his journey, Krayn offers some advice he would give to his younger self: “I would tell myself I’m doing the right thing and keep focusing on it.” When Talkiatry was first starting, many people questioned the company’s approach. Critics suggested that there were already other companies offering similar services, and questioned whether Talkiatry’s focus on psychiatrists would be successful. But Krayn’s persistence and commitment to his vision have proven successful. Talkiatry’s model of prioritizing psychiatrists has helped differentiate it in a competitive industry and has led to strong outcomes for both patients and insurers.
Today, Talkiatry stands as a leader in telepsychiatry leadership, and Krayn’s vision has been validated. Talkiatry is ahead of its time, shaping the future of psychiatric care in a way that is patient-centered, accessible, and effective.
The Exciting Future of Behavioral Health
As Krayn looks to the future, he is excited about the vast opportunities that lie ahead. With more focus on data access, regulatory support, and a growing commitment to improving behavioral health, Krayn believes that the industry is on the brink of transformative change. The future of behavioral health is bright, and leaders like Krayn are paving the way for innovation and progress.
As a 2024 Future Leader, Robert Krayn’s work exemplifies the kind of visionary leadership needed to drive lasting change in behavioral health care. His commitment to improving access to care, integrating technology, and providing high-quality clinical services will continue to shape the future of the industry for years to come. Talkiatry’s role as a pioneer in telepsychiatry leadership will undoubtedly inspire others to innovate and push for better behavioral health solutions nationwide.
