In this episode, Rachel talks to Dr. Jane Zhu, an internal medicine physician, health services researcher, and Associate Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Zhu's work focuses on how ownership and financial structures shape healthcare delivery and equity — an increasingly important lens as private equity investment grows in behavioral health.

Rachel and Dr. Zhu explore her research on the geographic penetration of private equity ownership in outpatient and residential behavioral health, discussing the implications for access, quality, and clinician autonomy. They also dive into the broader trends of consolidation, policy oversight, and the transparency challenges that affect both patients and providers.

0:34 – Introduction to Dr. Zhu and her research focus
1:22 – Why private equity is expanding into behavioral health
3:08 – Key findings from Dr. Zhu's JAMA Psychiatry study
6:27 – Impacts on care quality, clinician autonomy, and patient access
9:52 – Policy and transparency implications for healthcare ownership
13:10 – Dr. Zhu's takeaway: balancing investment with public accountability

• Private Equity's Inroads into Mental Health Bring Concern – Psychiatry Online

• Geographic Penetration of Private Equity Ownership in Outpatient and Residential Behavioral Health – JAMA Psychiatry

Website: OHSU – Jane M. Zhu, MD, MPP, MSHP
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janemzhu

Website: The Mental Health Evolution
Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution
LinkedIn: The Mental Health Evolution
Facebook: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Music by Zach Harrison

What does it take to grow a mental health practice sustainably—without burning out the people who make it work? In this episode, host Rachel Harrison talks with Dan King, Co-Founder of Fireside Strategic, about how to align profitability with purpose in behavioral health. Dan shares lessons from years advising investors and business leaders on building organizations where clinicians thrive, culture drives retention, and long-term success balances both human and financial outcomes.

Listeners will hear practical advice on finding the right investment partners, understanding private equity and venture capital dynamics, and leading with values in a changing behavioral health market. Whether you're a clinician, practice owner, or investor, this conversation offers a blueprint for growth without burnout.

• Full Transcript: Provided

• Guest Name: Dan King

• Title / Role / Credentials: Co-Founder, Fireside Strategic

• Bio / Expertise: Dan King is the Co-Founder of Fireside Strategic, helping companies scale sustainably by focusing on human-centered growth. With experience in organizational psychology, M&A strategy, and executive coaching, Dan aligns profitability with purpose to build organizations that thrive without burnout.

• Website: https://www.firesidestrategic.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmking/

• 0:32 – Introduction to Dan King and Fireside Strategic

• 1:08 – Why aligning business growth with human well-being matters

• 2:12 – Lessons from scaling companies that grew too fast

• 3:40 – The link between culture, retention, and sustainable success

• 5:05 – How private equity and venture capital differ in behavioral health

• 7:14 – Finding the right investment partner for your mission

• 9:48 – Balancing profitability with clinician satisfaction

• 12:22 – The future of integrated behavioral health services

• 14:36 – Measuring both financial and human outcomes

• 16:18 – Practical advice for practice owners considering investors

• 18:07 – Key traits of leaders who build without burnout

• Mental Health's Investment Resurgence: A Market Ripe for Innovation – Galen Growth

• Venture Capital's Priorities Are Evolving as Behavioral Health Market Matures – Behavioral Health Business

• Fireside Strategic – Dan King

• Website: firesidestrategic.com

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danmking

• Website: The Mental Health Evolution

• Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution

• LinkedIn: The Mental Health Evolution

• Facebook: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Music by Zach Harrison

In this episode, Rachel speaks with Becky DeGrossa, founder of CounselingWise, about the evolving landscape of mental health marketing. Becky shares her insights on how private practice therapists can leverage local marketing and AI to thrive, even in a market crowded with venture-backed platforms. She discusses practical strategies for mapping the client search journey, creating visibility online, and building sustainable practices that attract the right clients.

• Becky's unique blend of tech, psychology, and marketing experience

• Local clinicians' advantage over large therapy platforms

• Combining local marketing with AI as a competitive equalizer

• Key strategies for Search Everywhere Optimization

• Common mistakes therapists make in local search ranking

• Becky's top advice: do the work to create lasting visibility

• Is This the End of the Private Practice Therapist? – Mental Health Match

• The Marketing Formula That's Fueling Small Business Success – Entrepreneur

Website: counselingwise.com | skool.com/private-practice-builders
LinkedIn: Becky DeGrossa

Website: https://www.traumaspecialiststraining.com/mental-health-evolution-podcast
Instagram: @thementalhealthevolution
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-mental-health-evolution/
Facebook: /TheMentalHealthEvolution

Music by Zach Harrison