SonderMind, a leading hybrid mental health provider, has successfully expanded its virtual services to all 50 states, marking a significant milestone in its growth. The company, which was previously available in 48 states, has now added New York and Michigan to its roster, completing its nationwide coverage. This expansion is part of a broader strategy that has seen SonderMind grow rapidly in 2024, with the company adding 35 new states, primarily through telehealth services.
A Year of Rapid Expansion and Innovation
SonderMind’s growth has been fueled by its ability to leverage telehealth services effectively, particularly through its innovative mobile app. The app, which is central to SonderMind’s care model, offers users a range of on-demand resources, including meditations, breathing exercises, neurotunes, and brain training. These features are designed to help users track their mental health progress and reflect on their emotional wellbeing. In addition to these resources, SonderMind’s app streamlines appointment scheduling using AI, making it easier for users to book and manage their therapy sessions.
Mark Frank, co-founder and CEO of SonderMind, explained how the app enhances care delivery: “You can deliver better care when you’re engaging with your patient asynchronously, as well as synchronously.” The app’s ability to track daily progress allows therapists to dive directly into deep therapeutic work during sessions, saving valuable time and making therapy more efficient. Frank emphasized that the company built its care model to empower therapists to deliver high-quality care while minimizing additional administrative work.
Personalized Care and Local Partnerships
SonderMind treats a wide range of patients, including both children and adults, with varying levels of mental health needs. When necessary, the company refers patients to local healthcare providers such as health systems, primary care groups, or specialty behavioral health providers. This approach ensures that patients receive care that is not only accessible but also relevant to their local context.
“We take an approach that ultimately healthcare is local, so we partner with a whole variety of other care delivery organizations in those local ecosystems,” Frank said. This flexibility allows SonderMind to address diverse mental health needs while maintaining a strong network of local partners.
A Commitment to Measurement-Based Care
One of SonderMind’s standout features is its commitment to measurement-based care, which is considered the gold standard for tracking mental health progress. This approach involves using patient-reported outcomes questionnaires both before and after therapy sessions, with the results being used to inform the therapist’s approach to treatment. Despite its effectiveness, fewer than 20% of therapists in the U.S. currently use measurement-based care. SonderMind’s use of this method helps ensure that therapy is as effective as possible, making the process more outcome-driven and focused on tangible improvements in patients’ mental health.
Looking to the Future: Continued Expansion and Acquisitions
SonderMind’s journey to unicorn status, with a valuation “well north” of $1 billion in 2021, has been supported by a series of strategic acquisitions. These acquisitions were aimed at strengthening both the company’s technology and its clinical care models, enabling SonderMind to deliver a seamless and integrated experience for its users. As it continues to expand nationally, SonderMind aims to meet the growing demand for mental health services and address the critical shortage of mental healthcare providers in many parts of the country.
The company’s future plans include further expanding its in-person care footprint, although specific markets for this expansion have not yet been disclosed. Additionally, SonderMind plans to continue building its national presence while maintaining its commitment to high-quality, measurement-based mental health care. Through its telehealth services and partnerships with local care providers, SonderMind is poised to help even more individuals access the mental health care they need.
