HHW Therapists 36 - Big Tech in Mental Health: The Honest Pros and Cons

In this episode, Amanda tackles one of the most divisive topics in private practice: venture-backed mental health platforms like BetterHelp, Talkspace, Headway, Alma, and Grow Therapy. Pushing back on the all-or-nothing takes, she breaks down the legitimate criticisms (low pay rates, shifting reimbursement structures, and competitive pressure on private pay practices) while being honest about her own privilege in building a premium fee practice. Amanda shares her experience credentialing with Alma early on, why it served a strategic purpose, and how she's navigating her sponsorship relationship with them transparently amid recent Aetna reimbursement changes. She closes with a call for therapists to stop demonizing each other's choices and remember that burnout and inaccessible care are systemic issues bigger than any one company. Connect with Amanda: Follow on Instagram: @amandakbcoaching Check out the Amanda KB Coaching website Register for the Therapist Scaling Intensive Workshop: A half-day, hands-on virtual workshop for therapists who want to scale beyond private pay therapy sessions Resources & Links: This episode is sponsored by: Alma - learn more here Jane - use code: AMANDA2MO for a 2-month grace period SEO for Therapists Email Membership Therapy Intensives Academy Happy, Healthy, & Wealthy Mastermind Free Training: 3 Steps to Booking Your First Therapy Intensive Free Guide: 3 Steps to Double Your Income SEO Freebie Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Love the show? Leave a review for a chance to win a free coaching session with me each month. Apple Podcasts only allows one official review, so if you want extra entries, use the form below. Comments on Spotify episodes also count as entries! → Submit extra reviews here Just a quick heads up, everything I share in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It's not legal advice, financial advice, or tax advice. Every practice and every state has its own rules. So if you're wondering how something applies to your situation, make sure to check in with an attorney, accountant, or another qualified professional who can give you guidance based on your specific circumstances.