In a significant move that could change the landscape of mental health care across the United States, Rula Health, a Los Angeles-based company, announced its expansion into all 50 states and Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. This nationwide rollout of Rula Health’s digital platform aims to connect prospective patients with talk therapists and ultimately make mental health care more accessible, personalized, and affordable for people across the country.
As mental health issues continue to rise and the need for accessible, personalized care becomes more urgent, Rula Health seeks to fill a crucial gap. The company’s services are designed to help patients find the right therapist for their unique needs, without the added stress of navigating insurance complexities.
Bringing Personalized Care to Every State
The expansion of Rula Health into all 50 states and Washington, D.C. is a pivotal moment for the company, which aims to create an easier, more efficient way for patients to connect with mental health care providers. The company’s platform works by allowing patients to fill out an online questionnaire detailing what they’re looking for in a therapist. Whether they prefer a therapist of the same gender, need specific expertise in dealing with a particular issue, or seek other personal preferences, Rula Health’s platform takes this information and generates a list of in-network therapists that match the patient’s requests.
In the press release announcing the expansion, Rula Health’s CEO and co-founder, Josh Bruno, said, “We want to allow patients to choose the provider that best suits them without concern about whether or not their care will be covered.” By providing a list of therapists that accept most major commercial insurance plans, Rula Health eliminates one of the biggest barriers to accessing mental health services: the concern about affordability. In a time when insurance coverage can be difficult to navigate and may not always include the care a person needs, Rula’s platform ensures that patients find care that works within their financial and insurance limitations. This model puts personalized therapy at the forefront, offering a tailored experience that matches each individual’s unique needs.
A Growing Network of Providers
Rula Health’s platform is built around a vast network of over 10,000 providers who offer a wide range of specialties and services, all of which are in-network with major insurance providers. This large network ensures that patients have many options to choose from, increasing the chances of finding a provider who meets their specific needs.
The company’s model represents a major shift in how people find and access mental health care. Instead of spending hours researching providers, calling offices to inquire about insurance, and trying to figure out who might be available to see them, patients now have a streamlined way to connect with the right therapist—one that’s not only affordable but also matches their needs on a deeper, more personal level. This level of personalized therapy helps create a deeper sense of connection and trust between patients and therapists, increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes.
Expanding Psychiatry Services: A Holistic Approach to Mental Health
In addition to its therapy matchmaking services, Rula Health is also expanding its psychiatry services, which are currently available in 31 states. Over the coming months, the company plans to roll out these services nationwide, offering a more comprehensive approach to mental health care. By including both therapy and psychiatry options, Rula Health provides patients with the ability to access holistic care through a single platform.
This expansion into psychiatry aligns with Rula Health’s broader goal of supporting patients throughout their entire mental health journey—from talk therapy to psychiatric evaluations and medication management. By ensuring that all aspects of mental health care are covered, the company continues to focus on personalized therapy, providing patients with a truly tailored approach to care.
Supporting Providers: Helping Mental Health Professionals Thrive
Rula Health isn’t just focusing on patients—it’s also committed to helping mental health professionals thrive. In addition to connecting patients with therapists, the platform also provides marketing and administrative services to mental health care providers, helping them navigate the complexities of running a practice while also enabling them to focus on what they do best: providing care.
By offering these services, Rula Health makes it easier for providers to expand their practices without worrying about the logistics and marketing side of things. This allows them to spend more time with patients and deliver the best possible care, free from the stress of business operations.
On top of administrative support, Rula Health delivers valuable clinical data to providers. The platform supplies therapists with ongoing assessments and clinical measurements, providing them with critical data to improve their treatment plans. This data-driven approach ensures that providers can offer the highest quality care by tailoring their treatments based on real-time insights into their patients’ progress, helping to continually enhance the level of personalized therapy they offer.
The Vision Behind Rula Health: Making Mental Health Care Accessible to All
Rula Health’s mission is deeply rooted in a vision of making high-quality mental health care available to all individuals, regardless of their background, race, gender, sexual orientation, or insurance provider. For co-founder Gabe Diop, this mission is personal. In a recent speech at the Behavioral Health Business VALUE conference in April 2024, Diop spoke about the importance of providing tailored mental health care and ensuring access to treatment for everyone. He noted that disparities in mental health care persist, with individuals from certain racial and ethnic backgrounds often facing more barriers to treatment than others.
As Diop pointed out, research shows a stark contrast in the treatment rates for different racial groups. While 38% of white individuals diagnosed with a mental health condition receive treatment, only 25% of Black individuals and 22% of Hispanic individuals do. These disparities highlight the pressing need for services like Rula Health’s, which aims to level the playing field by offering easy access to affordable, culturally sensitive care for individuals from all walks of life. This commitment to equitable care ensures that Rula Health’s personalized therapy services are available to all, regardless of race or background.
A Strong Foundation and Growing Team
Founded in 2019 under the name Path Mental Health, Rula Health was created with the belief that mental health care should be as accessible and personalized as any other form of health care. Josh Bruno, with his background in consulting at Bain & Company and Bain Capital Ventures, recognized the need for a streamlined, more efficient way to connect people with the mental health care they need. Bruno’s experience as CEO of New York-based hometeam, a company that helps connect patients with home caregivers, further influenced his approach to making health care more accessible.
In July 2024, Rula Health strengthened its leadership team by hiring Doug Newton as its chief medical officer. Newton, who previously held the same position at SonderMind, another company that uses a platform to connect patients with therapists, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Rula’s growing team.
With $74 million in funding from investors such as Blue Venture Fund and GS Futures, Rula Health is poised to continue expanding its platform, improving its services, and making a significant impact in the mental health care space.
The Future of Mental Health Care: Personalized, Accessible, and Inclusive
As Rula Health expands its services to all 50 states and Washington, D.C., it is clear that the company is on a mission to reshape the future of mental health care. By offering a platform that connects patients with providers who meet their specific needs and offering insurance coverage transparency, Rula is making it easier for individuals to seek the care they need—whether it’s therapy, psychiatry, or a combination of both.
Rula Health’s model represents a transformative shift toward more personalized, inclusive, and accessible mental health care. As the company continues to grow, it is poised to make a lasting impact, ensuring that everyone—regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or insurance provider—has access to the highest quality care. Personalized therapy will continue to be at the heart of Rula’s mission, helping individuals feel understood, supported, and empowered as they navigate their mental health journeys.
