Grow Therapy Team at Behavioral Health Tech Conference
Grow Therapy recently attended the Going Digital Health Behavioral Health Tech Conference (BHT2023), held in person for the first time in Phoenix, Arizona from November 14–17, 2023. As a sponsor, Grow Therapy joined payors, providers, digital health innovators, investors, and policymakers to focus on expanding access to mental health and substance use care through technology, health equity, and evidence-driven innovation.
The Behavioral Health Tech Conference is one of the largest gatherings dedicated to improving access to behavioral healthcare through digital solutions and collaborative partnerships. The event brought together national and regional health plans, technology companies, clinical leaders, and other stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore scalable solutions to address gaps in care. For Grow Therapy, the conference provided an opportunity to deepen payor relationships, showcase clinical and operational approaches, and discover new ways to increase equitable access to mental health services.
Representatives from Grow Therapy’s payor-partnerships team met with key payor decision-makers and innovators throughout the event. Attendees engaged in a broad range of programming, including panel discussions, continuing education sessions, and presentations recognizing entrepreneurial achievements in behavioral health technology.
Highlights of the Event
Young Innovators in Behavioral Health Awards
At the conference opening, Jake Cooper, Grow Therapy’s CEO and co-founder, was honored as one of the year’s 30 Under 30 in Behavioral Health Tech. This recognition acknowledged Jake’s commitment, passion, and leadership in expanding access to mental healthcare for thousands of patients and providers through Grow Therapy. His inclusion among other emerging leaders underscores the role early-career innovators play in shaping digital mental health solutions and improving system-level access.
“Young innovators are rightfully demanding a more central role in defining solutions to problems they see play out in their everyday lives, and their contributions are clearly making a positive impact on mental health across the nation,” said Solome Tibebu, founder and CEO, Going Digital: Behavioral Health Tech. “We’re beyond proud of this year’s winners of the Young Innovators in Behavioral Health Awards and look forward to providing them with the resources, guidance, and support they need to continue showcasing their ideas and digital solutions that are creating a better, healthier future for everyone.”
Panel Discussion: “How Innovative Health Plans Are Improving Access and Quality for Their Members”
Grow Therapy’s Head of Clinical Excellence, Dr. Cynthia Grant, participated on a panel that explored how health plans are partnering with innovators to improve access and quality across behavioral health services. The session examined collaborative approaches that link clinical expertise, technology, and payer strategies to enhance member care. Moderated by Julie Murchinson (Partner, Transformation Capital), the panel featured a diverse group of leaders:
- Cynthia Grant, Head of Clinical Excellence at Grow Therapy
- Kristina Saffran, CEO of Equip
- Jennifer Christian-Herman, Vice President at Mind Body Medicine/Behavioral Health, Blue Shield of California
- Ann O’Grady, Behavioral Health Director at Independence Blue Cross
Panelists discussed how payor-provider partnerships and vendor collaborations can address barriers to care, support clinician capacity, and drive measurable improvements in outcomes and member experience. The conversation emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration to scale effective models and ensure equitable access to behavioral health services for diverse populations.
What’s Next?
Grow Therapy looks forward to continued engagement with Going Digital Health and other industry partners at upcoming national and regional events. The organization remains committed to partnering with health plans, providers, and technology innovators to expand access to high-quality behavioral healthcare. These collaborations aim to improve care coordination, reduce barriers to treatment, and support better outcomes for members and communities.
For strategic partnership inquiries, please contact [email protected].
