Cox Invests in Platform for Therapists 

There aren’t enough new therapists, counselors, psychologists and social workers to meet the growing demand for mental health services today. But Cox is investing in a new healthtech startup, Motivo, that enables aspiring therapists to more easily obtain their state licensure in a more convenient and affordable way. 

Motivo was one of 10 companies in the 2018 class of Techstars Atlanta, a startup accelerator for which Cox Enterprises is presenting sponsor. Cox’s investment in Motivo reflects our strong interest in developing new digital healthcare solutions — in particular, innovative technologies that can make healthcare more accessible, said Tim Howe, senior director of corporate strategy and investments at Cox Enterprises.  

“We see Motivo as perfectly positioned to capture the therapist credentialing market, and to identify lateral healthcare markets that would also benefit from tele-supervision and the Motivo marketplace,” said Tim, who is also on Motivo’s board of directors.  

Meeting a Need 
Like residency for a doctor, aspiring mental health professionals are required to complete approximately two years of face-to-face consultation with a licensed therapist following graduate school. This process is called clinical supervision. It’s designed to give new mental health therapists guidance as they begin treating clients. 

The trouble is there are far fewer credentialed supervisors than recent graduates. In fact, 55 percent of counties (all rural) have no practicing therapists, social workers or psychologists. So recent graduates often travel hundreds of miles to meet with a supervisor – a major barrier to accruing their necessary supervision hours. This also has led to an acute shortage of mental healthcare providers in rural America.  

Motivo has capitalized on the rise of telehealth to disrupt this inefficient system. Many states now allow supervision hours to be collected through secure video conference. So Motivo’s CEO and founder Rachel McCrickard — a licensed therapist — developed an online “telesupervision marketplace” as a sort of Match.com for clinical supervisors and recent graduates.   
 
Mastering the Market 
Since launching in 2017, Motivo has quickly become the largest platform for therapist tele-supervision. 

The company recently signed a partnership with the AAMFT, the largest association for marriage and family therapists, after also signing the American Counseling Association earlier this year.  

Support Cox and Motivo 
Cox’s investment in Motivo demonstrates our continued commitment to our purpose, to Empower People Today to Build a Better Future for the Next Generation. 

Please visit wearemotivo.com to learn more.