Spotlight: Dakota Haugen @ Grow Therapy

A spotlight is a short-form interview with a leader in RCM or health tech.

In this spotlight, you'll hear from Dakota Haugen, Eligibility Lead at Grow Therapy. You'll learn what Grow does and how Eliana thinks RCM will change in the next few years.

What does Grow Therapy do?

Grow Therapy is a leading hybrid mental health company delivering both in-person and virtual therapy and medication management. With a nationwide network of over 20,000 rigorously vetted providers, Grow connects individuals with high-quality, affordable mental healthcare – often at little to no cost through insurance.

Currently available in all 50 states and accessible to 180 million Americans through their health plans, Grow is on a mission to make high-quality mental health care accessible and affordable to all. By removing barriers to care and empowering independent providers, Grow is transforming how people access and experience mental health support. Backed by top investors including Sequoia Capital and Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Grow reached a total of $178 million in funding in 2024 following a Series C raise of $88 million. The round was led by Sequoia and supported by PLUS Capital, alongside artists and athletes such as Anna Kendrick, Lily Collins, Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, Jrue Holiday, and Lauren Holiday. They joined existing investors Transformation Capital, SignalFire, and TCV – underscoring a strong belief in Grow’s mission to become the most trusted destination for mental healthcare.

Why Grow?

• Accessible & Affordable: More than 90% of visits are insurance-covered; many clients pay just $0–$20 per session.
  
  

• Diverse & Inclusive Care: Providers reflect a wide range of identities, languages, and specialties – including trauma-informed, mindfulness, and faith-based care.
  
  

• Tech-Enabled Progress: Industry-leading Measurement Informed Care (MIC) platform and AI-assisted tools ensure clients and providers track meaningful progress.
  
  

• Trusted Relationships: 95% of clients report a strong therapeutic alliance; NPS of 85 signifies exceptional client satisfaction.
  
  

• Support for Providers: Grow removes the administrative and financial barriers to starting a private practice, empowering clinicians to focus on care.

How did you end up working in health tech?

I’ve always known that I wanted to help people – especially by addressing barriers to healthcare and creating pathways to access. My career began in the healthcare space as a medical biller, where I saw firsthand just how complex and discouraging it can be for individuals to access care. I realized I wasn’t even well-versed in navigating my own insurance, and that experience fueled my drive to better understand the system and make it easier for others.

Working in billing gave me insight into the structural challenges that stand between people and the care they need. I became passionate about creating a seamless, informed experience for patients. That passion deepened when I began my own mental health journey and experienced the benefits of care personally.

This led me to pivot into mental health, where I found an intersection of purpose and personal connection. When I discovered Grow Therapy, I immediately aligned with the mission. Grow’s commitment to both providers and clients resonated deeply with me – it’s the kind of meaningful, impactful work I’ve always aspired to do.

How does your role intersect with revenue cycle management (RCM)?

As the Eligibility Lead, my role sits at the front line of RCM, where I help ensure that clients are accurately verified for insurance coverage before beginning care. This early step is foundational to the entire revenue cycle – by identifying coverage details, confirming benefits, and addressing potential issues upfront, we minimize claim denials, reduce billing delays, and support timely reimbursement for our providers. But eligibility is more than just a financial checkpoint – it’s a critical access point for care. When done right, it removes barriers that might otherwise prevent someone from starting or continuing treatment. It gives clients clarity and confidence about what their insurance covers and what to expect financially, creating a smoother, more equitable path to mental healthcare. My work in eligibility helps lay the groundwork for both a positive client experience and a sustainable, efficient billing process.

What do you think RCM will look like two years from now?

I believe RCM will continue to evolve into a more specialized, data-driven function – especially within mental health. As the industry matures, I see RCM playing a pivotal role in not just operational efficiency, but also in driving financial outcomes that reflect the value of care. With the integration of AI and automation, particularly in areas like eligibility verification, we’ll be able to optimize workflows, reduce manual errors, and deliver real-time insights that help clients get approved and connected to care faster.

RCM will increasingly align with performance-based and value-driven models, where financial success is tied to meaningful health outcomes. This will allow individuals to see clearer connections between what they’re paying for and the results they experience – ultimately building more trust in the mental healthcare system. As we continue to remove financial and administrative barriers, RCM will help make mental health care more accessible and affordable, reinforcing the overall client experience and encouraging more people to seek and sustain the care they need.