Founder: Ariela Safira
Ariela developed an intense passion for improving mental healthcare when a friend attempted suicide. The experience gave her a look into a system that she believed didn't make sense. She raised thousands of dollars for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by completing cross-country cycles and joined Columbia University's clinical psychology program, where she received her Master's degree. Through her studies and research, Ariela realized there were even more flaws in the system than she originally anticipated, so she set out to launch her own company to solve them.
Ariela's startup, Real, is re-envisioning therapy by creating a first-of-its kind mental health studio that provides affordable, targeted care and is more sanctuary and less clinic. Her mission is not to just normalize therapy, but to celebrate it through a unique goal-oriented approach and community feel. Unfortunately, just as she was about to open her first location in NYC's Flatiron Spring 2020, Coronavirus struck. She knew that people needed mental healthcare right now, so Ariela and her team built a brand new digital platform to provide patients with one-on-one therapy and small-group salon sessions.
"Today, everyone is designing for therapy; no one is designing for people. The way in which today’s providers and startups market therapy, provide care, track (or don’t track) progress, and provide ongoing support are all based on what therapy has always been like. We need to think about people — what does today’s 30-year-old woman worry about? What words does she use to express this worry? What happens when she doesn’t express this worry? What does she need to feel understood? How do we create that?" - Ariela
Sources: Entrepreneur, Today, Female Founders Fund, Real website