The City of Seattle signed an expansion to their partnership with Seattle-based Joon to make free teletherapy available to teens and young adults in the Seattle community. The success of the program’s pilot, which enabled Seattle youth ages 13-24 to access free therapy through Joon, demonstrated that reducing barriers to mental health care draws significant participation from youth in need. Many teens and young adults engage in services they might not have otherwise sought out.
The expanded partnership will provide essential mental health care to hundreds of young people across the city at no cost, ensuring that they have access to effective, evidence-based therapy tailored to their unique needs. The initiative, supported by a $12.25 million investment from the City of Seattle, is a key element of Mayor Harrell’s commitment to improving youth safety and mental health.
“Ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our youth is a top priority for my administration,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “We cannot ignore the youth mental health crisis and the impact it has on our communities. This expanded partnership with Joon will allow more Seattle students to get the support they need with convenient, accessible telehealth therapy and providers who can offer culturally competent care, helping us build a healthier future for our city.”
The Seattle-Joon partnership is especially crucial right now. In 2023, 50% of SPS 8th graders and 71% of SPS 12th grade students reported experiencing feelings of anxiety. One in three 12th graders reported feelings of depression. Joon's therapy has proven effective in addressing these challenges. 88% of Joon clients with severe anxiety and 82% with severe depression saw marked improvement within 12 weeks.
Joon's innovative approach to therapy is not just evidence-based, but also deeply personalized. It combines treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), focusing on each young person's specific needs. Joon therapists specialize in youth mental health, offering compassionate, affirming care that helps teens and young adults work through their challenges in a safe, supportive environment. This personalized approach ensures that every individual feels understood and cared for, an essential aspect of effective therapy.
Emily Pesce, CEO of Joon, expressed her excitement about the expanded partnership: "Our mission is to make effective, safe, and affirming care easily accessible to all. Too often, the cost of therapy or the difficulty of finding a therapist can stand in the way, especially for the most vulnerable in our community. With this partnership, Seattle youth can access the care they need, for free, from highly qualified therapists who are committed to their success."
The partnership between the City of Seattle and Joon represents an essential step toward addressing the pressing mental health needs of the city's youth. Making therapy free and accessible opens the door for young people to ask for—and get—the support they need.
Seattle youth who are 13-24 and live or attend school in Seattle can start therapy now. Teens and young adults who sign up for therapy will be matched with a licensed therapist and participate in live, 1-on-1 video therapy sessions. Therapy is confidential, and it's up to each participant to decide whether to involve their parents.
Joon is committed to providing inclusive mental health care that affirms the dignity, worth, and value of all individuals. We are dedicated to caring for all young people, including underrepresented, underserved, and historically marginalized populations, and we support all therapists in providing culturally responsive care. Joon currently serves clients in 7 states (WA, OR, CA, TX, DE, PA, NY). Learn more at Joon.com.
At Joon, clients "go to therapy" through our convenient mobile app on iOS and Android, increasing access to therapists without limitations caused by distance or transportation. We take great care in matching each young person with a therapist whose experience aligns with their individual needs. Each therapy appointment is a live conversation, one-on-one, with the same licensed therapist each week.
Photo of Lake City Community Center mural courtesy of Seattle Parks and Recreation, used under CC BY
