About Us
Making therapy search human again
StartHere.care helps people find therapists who actually fit, before the first session.
Our mission
Finding a therapist shouldn't feel like a second job. But for too many people, it does: scrolling through endless directories, reading generic bios, making calls that go to voicemail, and hoping the person on the other end actually gets them.
StartHere.care was built to change that. We believe the search for mental health support should feel as thoughtful and personal as the care itself. Our matching system focuses on what actually matters: your preferences, your boundaries, and your therapeutic style, not just insurance and location.
We're building tools that help people start their therapy journey with clarity instead of confusion.
What we believe
Fit matters more than filters
Insurance and location are just the start. Real compatibility comes from understanding how someone works, what they believe, and how they'll show up for you.
Your data is yours
We don't sell your information. We don't track you across the web. Your therapy search stays private, period.
Search shouldn't cause burnout
If finding help is exhausting, fewer people will seek it. We're designing for ease, not engagement metrics.
Therapists deserve better tools too
Good matches benefit everyone. We help therapists find clients who are genuinely aligned with their practice.
About the founder
StartHere.care was built by Jeff Kusler, an ex-credit union CEO and active board member who has spent two decades in the nonprofit space working, volunteering, and fighting for disadvantaged communities.
This is not a business venture. It's a passion project built by someone who has struggled with mental health personally and believes the way people find therapists is fundamentally broken. The for-profit platforms take a cut of something therapists can do themselves. They charge for visibility, optimize for volume, and answer to investors.
StartHere.care has no investors, no revenue targets, and no monetization plan. Jeff covers hosting costs out of pocket because the problem is worth solving. There's no hidden tier coming, no pay-for-placement, and no "super user subscription" down the pike.
Read more in Two Questions, Honest Answers.
Now Open Nationwide
StartHere.care launched in Michigan and is now open to licensed therapists in all 50 states. Our matching system connects clients with therapists authorized to practice in their state. Create an account to get started.
Newsroom
View all articles →Introducing StartHere.care
A new way to find your therapist, focused on fit.
GuideHow StartHere.care Works
A complete guide to our matching process.
The Truth
What happens when venture capital runs mental health care. Shareable graphics.
Media inquiries: info@StartHere.care
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