By Riley Kaminer
Despite a rapidly-growing Hispanic population in the US, the availability of Spanish-language mental health services is shrinking.
“It makes a big difference as a patient when you have a therapist that speaks your language and understands your culture,” Opción Yo co-founder and CEO Daniela Sichel told Refresh Miami.
Opción Yo helps Hispanic or Spanish-speaking individuals in the U.S. to take care of their mental health needs, addressing a critical gap in the market. “Ninety percent of our clients are in the U.S. We’re solving the problem of a lack of Spanish-speaking providers and the high prices of private practices,” Sichel explained. With Opción Yo, clients can access four therapy sessions a month for just $149 – an affordable option compared to the typical $200 per session charged by private practices.
“We shifted our service delivery to a subscription model,” Sichel said. This move came from recognizing the challenges people face in committing to long-term therapy. “Our new model helps clients stay focused and committed, rather than just buying sessions in bulk and only coming to us during crises.”
The impact of this shift has been substantial. Opción Yo now boasts a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 95, indicating high customer satisfaction. “Our churn rates have dropped, and the reviews and testimonials are incredible,” Sichel continued. “Clients now understand where they are in their therapy journey and what to expect next.”
One key differentiator for Opción Yo is its structured therapy protocol. Developed by Sichel and her co-founder, both licensed marriage and family therapists, this five-stage process educates clients on what to expect at each step. This transparency has built trust and significantly improved client outcomes.
The platform’s approach contrasts sharply with competitors, who often operate more like marketplaces where clients choose therapists based on availability rather than quality. “We control the quality of service delivery closely,” Sichel noted, emphasizing the importance of consistent, high-quality care.
“We’ve also increased the number of therapists working with us, all full-time employees, which allows us to provide the professional development and supervision they need,” she added. Sichel declined to share an exact number of full-time employees, but LinkedIn shows that the company has at least 59 affiliated staff members.
Sichel highlighted the cultural values that Opción Yo upholds, which play a crucial role in its success. “We have a great culture where respect, vulnerability, openness, and honesty are paramount. We start our sessions with meditation and personal check-ins, fostering a sense of community and humanity among our team,” she said.
Last year, entrepreneur Abi Mandelbaum acquired Opción Yo for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition brought a wealth of experience and strategic vision to the company, according to Sichel: “Abi is not just a partner but also the president of the company. His expertise in scaling businesses has been invaluable.”
Sichel hinted that we can expect to see more product development coming from Opción Yo in the coming months. But don’t necessarily expect to see AI. Sichel noted that Opción Yo is steering clear of integrating artificial intelligence into its core therapy services, at least for now.
“We believe in the human connection,” Sichel emphasized. “If you’re looking for AI, there are other platforms, but if you want a real human connection, that’s where we excel.”
Photo at top of post: Opción Yo team members, left to right: President Abi Mandelbaum, CEO Daniela Sichel; CPO Mariana Morales; and CFO Gonzalo Marquez.
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