Story of Rula: Digital Platform Enhancing Access to Quality Mental Health Care
Story of Rula:
Founding and Leadership
Rula was founded in 2019 in Los Angeles, California by
Joshua Bruno, who also serves as the co-founder and CEO. Under his leadership,
Rula has become a digital mental health platform focused on improving access to
quality care for individuals, couples, and families across the United States.
Mission and Vision
Rula’s mission is to make mental healthcare accessible,
convenient, and effective. The platform connects patients with licensed
therapists and psychiatric providers while supporting providers with
administrative, marketing, and operational assistance.
Digital Mental Health Platform
Rula offers virtual therapy sessions, personalized treatment
plans, and digital tools that allow users to manage their mental health. The
platform ensures patients can find providers who meet their specific needs,
accept insurance, and are available for appointments quickly.
Support for Providers
For mental health professionals, Rula provides the
flexibility of private practice while filling caseloads and handling
administrative tasks such as credentialing, billing, and marketing. This allows
providers to focus on patient care without being burdened by back-end
operations.
Remote-First Operations
Rula operates as a remote-first company with specialized
teams in Clinical, Partnerships, Operations, Marketing, Engineering, and
Product. This structure allows Rula to efficiently manage its network and
continuously improve digital mental health services.
Partnership with Curai Health
Rula partnered with Curai Health, a virtual primary care
provider, to expand access to mental health services. Curai patients can now be
referred to Rula’s network of over 15,000 licensed providers across 100
clinical specialties in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Improving Access and Coordination
Through the partnership, patients receive fast, convenient
access to care tailored to their preferences and needs. Providers collaborate
to deliver comprehensive, whole-person care, bridging gaps between mental and
primary healthcare.
Integration with Amazon Health
Rula has also joined Amazon Health’s platform, bringing over
10,000 licensed mental health professionals to Amazon Health Condition
Programs. This allows millions of users to find mental health support through
search tools, product pages, or the discovery bar.
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Patient-Centered Approach
Rula integrates patient-reported outcome questionnaires into
every session, enabling clinicians to monitor progress and adjust treatment
plans. The platform emphasizes matching patients with providers who have
specific expertise and cultural competence.
Extensive Insurance Coverage
Rula works with major health plans, including Optum, Cigna,
Aetna, Anthem, and most Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates. This broad coverage
ensures that mental healthcare services are accessible to more than 120 million
insured individuals in the U.S.
Rapid Access to Care
Patients can schedule appointments within 24 hours, and Rula
provides 24/7 crisis support. The platform makes it simple for users to find
care, confirm costs, and engage in telehealth sessions without barriers.
Impact and Growth
Since its founding, Rula has expanded its network,
partnerships, and digital offerings, making high-quality mental health care
more accessible nationwide. The company continues to innovate, aiming to
integrate mental health care seamlessly into everyday life.
Timeline of Rula
- 2019
– Rula founded in Los Angeles, California by Joshua Bruno.
- 2020-2021
– Platform development and onboarding of initial providers.
- 2021
– Expanded network and introduced patient-centered tools for tracking
mental health outcomes.
- 2022
– Raised Series C funding of $198 million with investors including Blue
Venture Fund and Harmony Partners.
- 2022
– Partnership established with Curai Health to integrate mental health
into primary care.
- 2023
– Joined Amazon Health Condition Programs, providing broader access to
over 10,000 licensed providers.
- 2023-2024
– Expanded insurance coverage to include major health plans, covering over
120 million insured Americans.
- 2024-2025
– Continued growth of digital platform, enhanced patient matching system,
and expansion of telehealth services nationwide.