Grow Therapy Inclusion & Diversity

What does Pride mean to you? How does Pride make you think of history, the current moment or the future?

Pride means a lot to me and to most queer people I know. For me, it means being proud of who I am — wherever I am in my life — for being myself and living authentically. During a time when America seems to be moving backward on social issues, including the targeting of transgender people for simply living their truths, I think Pride means more this year than it ever has. Most LGBTQ+ people know the origins of Pride, but it’s worth mentioning that the rights I enjoy today were fought for by black transgender women like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, gay men during the HIV/AIDS crisis and Freedom Fighters who fought because they knew a better future was possible. Despite how things have moved backwards the past few years, I still think a better future is possible as the giants of the Pride and LGBTQ+ Rights Movement did in the 1960s onward. Why? Because there are good people in the world, and love, authenticity and substance win over hate. Every. Single. Time. 

This year, Pride means having fun and feeling joy. It also means centering the experiences of our trans siblings given the onslaught of legislation and hate against them. I intend to do both.

What does Pride look like at Grow Therapy? What is Pride Month typically like? Are there any specific ways Pride manifests year-round?

Pride@Grow was the first ERG at Grow Therapy and was founded by myself and Derek Lee in the summer of 2022. As a company of around 60 people then, we didn’t have a large LGBTQ+ employee base, but we knew it would grow as Grow’s message of expanding access to insurance-covered therapy to all — including queer and trans people from all walks of life — became a reality. Three years later, our ERG sits at nearly 60 members itself and represents more than 10 percent of Grow’s employee base. 

As you can imagine, Pride is a big deal for us! Year-round, Grow Therapy is proud to support LGBTQ+ Americans seeking therapy in all 50 states. Given the state of affairs today, therapy and medication management serve as important pillars of care for those seeking to calm their nervous systems, heal from trauma and PTSD and more. Throughout my journey as an out gay man, therapy has always served as a safe place and refuge. Beyond our offerings as a mental health provider, Grow hosts an annual drag show at our headquarters in New York, and Pride@Grow is proud to fundraise for organizations supporting the community. This year, we’re raising money for Advocates for Trans Equality and the Trevor Project.

Why is it important for your team to include LGBTQIA+ inclusivity as part of its cultural makeup? What does Grow Therapy get right?

LGBTQ+ inclusivity isn’t just part of Grow — it’s foundational to who we are. As a mental health company that provides therapy and psychiatric care, our goal is to serve as a partner in everyone’s mental health journey — regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race or socioeconomic status. As a team, Grow recognizes that to unlock the talents of our employees, instilling a sense of inclusion and belonging is essential. Without it, ideas can go unnoticed, ignored or simply unvoiced. 

By prioritizing the well-being of all teammates through ERG programming, health care benefits and dedicated mental health mornings or afternoons, known internally as MHMs or MHAs. Grow creates a culture I’m extremely proud to be a part of. In sum, Grow gets a lot right. No company is perfect, but I imagine I’ll be here for a while, given our strong commitment to the mission of improving access to affordable mental health care, our emphasis on inclusivity and belonging and the many teammates I’m proud to call friends.