Co-founders discuss bridging the gap in affordable mental health care
Thaar Care Foundation co-founders Patricia Thaar Tocco (CEO and Executive Director) and Diane Johnston (Vice President) recently joined WJR’s Michigan Voices to discuss the critical issue of financial barriers to mental health treatment and how their organization is working to remove them.
From Private Practice to Nonprofit Mission
The conversation revealed how Thaar Care was born from a common frustration both founders experienced in private practice.
“I would have people calling and begging me for help on the phone and crying,” Patricia shared. “And then when I would tell them the prices—sometimes that’s more than a car payment to come every week for a month.”
With private practice therapy sessions running upwards of $150 per session without insurance coverage, Patricia and Diane recognized an urgent need to bridge the gap between what people could afford and what therapists need to earn a sustainable living, especially given the student loan debt many counselors carry.
Remarkable Growth Meeting Tremendous Need
What started with two therapists and one client has grown to over 20 therapists serving clients across two offices.
“We’ve grown quite quickly, but I feel like it’s because people need the services,” Diane explained.
The organization now serves clients of all ages and demographics, with a particular focus on reaching younger generations early.
Expanding Access Through Telehealth
The co-founders discussed how telehealth has dramatically expanded their reach, allowing them to serve clients throughout Michigan, including homebound individuals and those in remote areas.
“You can basically treat anybody in the state where before they had to come in the office personally,” Diane noted.
Changing Lives, Saving Lives
When asked about the impact of mental health assistance, Patricia didn’t hesitate: “We definitely hear from clients in our organization that have had a lot of suicidal ideation in their time. And we see them still coming. We are the one support in their life to be able to keep them going.”
Diane added that therapy helps people “cope better with life and the things that come up versus managing crisis all the time.”
A Sustainable Model
Thaar Care operates on corporate donations and personal fundraising rather than federal or state grants, allowing them to supplement counseling costs, cover copays and deductibles, and serve those without insurance.
Looking Toward the Future
Both founders envision a future where therapy becomes as routine as regular health maintenance.
“It would be nice if the next generation could add therapy to their regular health checkups,” Diane shared. “So you go to the dentist, you go to the doctor, and if you need to, you go to your therapist.”
Need Help? Take the First Step
Patricia’s advice to anyone struggling: “Make the phone call or have a friend make a phone call. If you’re struggling with anything that you just want to talk to somebody about…” That first call can make all the difference.
Listen to the full interview above to hear more about Thaar Care’s mission and impact.
Ready to take the first step? Contact us or call 248-277-5353 to request services.