Journey CEO Stephen Sokoler on Why Employers Should Rethink Mental Health Tech
The future of digital mental health isn’t more access, it’s smarter care.
The digital mental health boom promised transformation: instant access, personalized support, better outcomes, and stronger ROI. But in a pointed new Forbes article, Stephen Sokoler, founder and CEO of Journey, argues that many platforms aren’t delivering on those promises and it’s time employers stop settling for glossy engagement stats and start demanding clinical results.
“Not all innovation translates into impact,” Sokoler writes, referencing recent findings from the Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI). Their independent evaluation of top virtual mental health platforms found that blended models—those combining therapy with digital tools–actually increased healthcare spending by over $25 million per million members.
More Therapy Isn’t Always Better
Sokoler argues that part of the problem is that therapy has become the default, even for employees with mild symptoms. Without triage or stepped-care systems in place, platforms push everyone toward expensive solutions that may not be necessary—or sustainable.
On top of the cost, he points to a troubling evidence gap: many mental health vendors rely on internal, vendor-driven data rather than independent, peer-reviewed research. That’s a problem for HR teams who are otherwise expected to make data-informed decisions across benefits, finance, and operations.
When Tech Feels Transactional, People Disengage
Even engagement—the supposed strength of digital mental health—may not be what it seems. Sokoler highlights user complaints that platforms feel too clinical or generic, noting that “mental health is deeply personal.” If a tool doesn’t feel relevant or human, people check out—and when engagement drops, outcomes follow.
Behind the scenes, Sokoler flags performance pressures on clinicians at some of the most well-known platforms, with therapists pushed to rush care, meet productivity quotas, and follow rigid protocols that don’t always serve the patient. That’s not just bad for providers—it’s a liability for employers.
What Employers Should Ask Instead
Sokoler doesn’t call for abandoning digital mental health, but for being more rigorous in how employers choose and implement it. He recommends:
Replacing therapy-as-default with triage and stepped-care models
Demanding independent research, not just internal case studies
Prioritizing personalization and human connection
Evaluating ROI based on outcomes, not just usage
“It’s not enough to recommend the biggest name in the market,” he says. Instead, HR leaders and advisors should push vendors to balance innovation with cost-effectiveness and clinical integrity.
From Hype to Substance
As Sokoler puts it, the digital mental health space is maturing. The winners of this next phase won’t be the ones with the flashiest apps or the biggest VC rounds, but the ones delivering sustainable, personalized, evidence-based care.
Read more on Forbes
Listen to Stephen Sokoler with Matthew Brimer on the Venture Everywhere podcast: Mental Wellness is a Journey. Now on Apple & Spotify and check out all our past episodes here!
