Why We Need to Rethink Private Practice Mental Health Care

For more than a century, outpatient mental health care has relied on an outdated model that assumes a single provider, working alone, can meet all the needs of a person seeking help. This solo-practitioner approach dates back to Sigmund Freud’s original practice, and while nearly every other area of medicine has evolved, behavioral health care has remained largely the same. It’s no surprise that this model is falling short.

Demand for mental health care has never been higher — and while technology like AI may improve collaboration and efficiency, it can’t yet replicate the effectiveness of expert clinicians operating as a team. Today, the best solution to meet this demand is an integrated system that connects care and drives better outcomes.

Outpatient care is notoriously fragmented, mak