The power of lived experiences has been harnessed to create a transformative platform for advancing mental health and expanding access for all.

In this episode, Solome Tibebu, Founder and CEO of Behavioral Health Tech, shares her journey from personal struggles with anxiety and OCD to building the largest community focused on advancing mental health and substance use care through technology. She discusses the origins of Behavioral Health Tech during the pandemic, its rapid growth, and its commitment to promoting health equity and innovation. Solome also highlights the importance of lived experiences in shaping effective behavioral health solutions and offers insights into the organization’s ongoing initiatives, including the annual conference, partnerships, and resources.

Tune in to explore how personal experiences and innovative technology are shaping the future of mental health care, breaking barriers to access, and fostering inclusive solutions for all!

Thanks for tuning into the expanding access podcast. Ready to take your knowledge, network, and experience to the next level? Then join us at the BHT Conference in San Diego on November 11-13. Join thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and payers focused on expanding access and improving outcomes in mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and IDD.

Save $100 on your registration here by using your podcast promo code “Podcast100”

Neurodivergent care is being revolutionized through technology and innovation.

In this episode, Christal Wang, co-founder and CEO of Shimmer, at the Behavioral Health Tech Conference in Arizona, discusses Shimmer's strengths-based coaching platform for individuals with ADHD. She emphasizes shifting the perception of neurodivergence from a deficit-focused to a strengths-focused approach. Christal explains how AI can assist neurodivergent individuals by handling tasks that challenge executive function, allowing them to leverage their unique strengths. Shimmer's mission includes raising awareness, decreasing stigma, and offering educational resources to support the neurodivergent community.

Tune in to learn how neurodivergent care and innovative technology are transforming the landscape of mental health!

Thanks for tuning into the expanding access podcast. Ready to take your knowledge, network, and experience to the next level? Then join us at the BHT Conference in San Diego on November 11-13. Join thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and payers focused on expanding access and improving outcomes in mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and IDD.

Save $100 on your registration here by using your podcast promo code “Podcast100”

Telehealth initiatives in schools are expanding access to mental health services, ensuring students receive the care they need.

In this episode of the Expanding Access Podcast, Kacie Kelly, Chief Innovation Officer at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, explains how the Institute bridges policy and practice in mental health technology through innovative partnerships. She highlights significant advancements, including Medicare's decision to finance mobile applications and digital therapeutics, enabling clinician reimbursement. Kacie also discusses the collaborative care model, integrating mental health care into pediatric and primary care, and praises its sustainable financing. With increased funding and community involvement, she is optimistic about transformative changes in mental health care.

Tune in to gain valuable insights and be inspired by the innovative approaches in mental health care!

Thanks for tuning into the expanding access podcast. Ready to take your knowledge, network, and experience to the next level? Then join us at the BHT Conference in San Diego on November 11-13. Join thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and payers focused on expanding access and improving outcomes in mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and IDD.

Save $100 on your registration here by using your podcast promo code “Podcast100”

Lived recovery experiences strengthen Sober Sidekick's support systems for individuals battling substance use disorders.

In this episode of the Expanding Access podcast by Behavioral Health Tech, Christopher Thompson, founder and CEO of Sober Sidekick, shares his personal recovery journey and the inspiration behind his app, which aims to create a supportive recovery community through peer support. He critiques the current incentives in behavioral health, emphasizing that they often do not align with preventing relapses or supporting long-term recovery. Instead of being incentivized by relapses, Sober Sidekick focuses on empowering individuals on their lifelong recovery journey and demonstrating the butterfly effect of these empowerment efforts. The fee-to-use app offers connection and peer support at any time, seeking to significantly reduce relapse rates through community-based support. Chris also encourages those in recovery to overcome guilt and shame, emphasizing the potential for every individual to start an epic comeback story.

Tune in to discover how recovery experiences are transforming support systems for substance use disorders!

Thanks for tuning into the expanding access podcast. Ready to take your knowledge, network, and experience to the next level? Then join us at the BHT Conference in San Diego on November 11-13. Join thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and payers focused on expanding access and improving outcomes in mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and IDD.

Save $100 on your registration here by using your podcast promo code “Podcast100”

Incorporating lived recovery experiences improves Wayspring's programs for Medicaid recipients with substance use disorders.

In this episode of the Expanding Access podcast by Behavioral Health Tech, we meet Ashley Potts, vice president of operations at Wayspring, during the Behavioral Health Tech Conference in Arizona. With 18 years of recovery from substance use, Ashley shares how her lived experience informs Wayspring's programs for Medicaid recipients with substance use disorders. She emphasizes the value of incorporating perspectives from individuals with similar experiences to enhance recovery programs. Ashley also discusses engagement strategies that focus on meeting individuals emotionally where they are, advocating for a recovery-friendly workplace, and including those impacted by the criminal justice system in educational forums. 

Tune in for this inspiring conversation on enhancing recovery program effectiveness and making a difference in behavioral health!

Thanks for tuning into the expanding access podcast. Ready to take your knowledge, network, and experience to the next level? Then join us at the BHT Conference in San Diego on November 11-13. Join thought leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and payers focused on expanding access and improving outcomes in mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and IDD.

Save $100 on your registration here by using your podcast promo code “Podcast100”

🎙️ If you're invested in how technology and innovation are reshaping mental health, substance use, and autism/IDD care, this is the place to be. Join us as we dive into critical discussions and stay ahead of the curve with expert insights that will shape the future of behavioral health.

Whether you're a partner, digital mental health provider, payer, health system, or investor, Expanding Access by Behavioral Health Tech will help you navigate the evolving landscape of mental health care.