People-First. App-Based. Science-backed.
We’re a team of researchers, clinicians, engineers, and advocates who believe mental health and addiction treatment should be more than just showing up to a room and hoping it sticks. At Affect, we’re changing the way people heal —with real clinical care, smart technology, and zero judgment.
Why Affect? Because traditional healthcare doesn’t work for everyone.
Because people are tired of stigma, long commutes, and waiting lists. Because most treatment models haven’t kept up with real life—or real science.
We built Affect to make getting better actually possible. We bring proven methods like contingency management, CBT, medication-assisted treatment, and peer support into the palm of your hand—literally. It’s all delivered through our secure app, and designed to help people build a better future.
We’re relentless about increasing access to high quality mental healthcare
Affect has grown to be the only nationally scaled digital treatment provider serving members across all mental health and substance use disorders and types of insurance
2020
We got started.
Affect was founded with one mission: make addiction treatment easier, faster, and actually effective.
2021
First big step forward.
We launched our first clinical pilot in California — and yep, the results looked good.
Also in 2021…
We landed a major NIH grant to back a clinical trial (science gives us gold stars too).
2022
We expanded—and expanded fast.
Started offering treatment in Arizona, Nevada, Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. We officially launched our alcohol use disorder (AUD) program.
2023
More states, more support.
Florida, New Mexico, Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Washington, North Carolina, and Idaho joined the party. Our cannabis use disorder (CUD) program also made its debut.
2024
New programs. New places.
Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, and Oregon got access to Affect. Our opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment program rolled out.
2025
Mental health, meet Affect.
We launched our telehealth mental health care program—making high quality care for things like depression and anxiety available to millions of Americans.
Where We’re Going
We’re expanding access to outpatient and intensive outpatient (IOP) care across the U.S., and building partnerships with providers, courts, employers, and health systems who want better outcomes and more innovative treatment models.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all recovery. We believe in meeting people where they are, and helping them get where they want to go.
Who We Help
We serve people from all walks of life, but especially those who are often left out of traditional care systems. Many of our members are:
- Covered by Medicaid
- Managing other health or mental health conditions
- Working jobs, raising kids, or juggling both
- Dealing with trauma, stigma, or legal systems
- Just not sure where to begin—and that’s okay
Meet the Affect team
Embodying our core values of empathy, accountability, and passion, our team brings a diverse background of experiences to innovate in mental healthcare.
Kristin Muhlner
Russell Osborne
Jon Peeples
Natalie Pitcher Clark
Bryan Prout
Bayla Weick
Advisors and Board Members
Haden Blackman Writer and Game Designer
Haden is a highly celebrated writer and game designer, having authored the award winning series Batwoman and written well-known video games including Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and Mafia III. He brings his storytelling and design expertise to Affect and advises the company in the development of engaging products.
Thomas McLellan National Drug Control Policy
Dr. McLellan is one of the most published researchers in the field of substance use disorder treatments. He served as Deputy Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy and in 2003 was awarded the Life Achievement Award by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He brings his depth of expertise to help guide Affect in the development of its treatment programs.
Stuart Peterson Artis Ventures
Stuart Peterson founded Artis Ventures in 2005. He led early stage investments for the firm in media giant YouTube and targeted cancer therapeutics leader StemCentrx among others. He sits on the board of many innovative companies working to revolutionize healthcare through cutting-edge research and technology, including Affect’s.
Jeff Rinehart City Light
Jeff is a partner at City Light, which invests in companies that drive social impact. Prior to joining City Light, Jeff was a senior marketing executive at a number of highly successful companies including Capital One and 2U. He serves on the board of directors for Affect.
Jeff DeFlavio AlleyCorp
Jeff co-founded Affect Therapeutics and is an entrepreneur in residence at AlleyCorp. A physician by training, Jeff has dedicated his career to broadening access to healthcare and driving clinical innovation in addiction treatment. Dr. De Flavio was the founding CEO of Groups: Recover Together, which is now the largest value-based opioid addiction treatment provider in the United States. He is also a co-founder of Tempest, an online alcohol addiction treatment program.
We’re Building Something That Actually Works. Want In?
We’re on a mission to make mental health and addiction treatment more accessible, more effective, and more human. If you’re tired of broken systems and want to build something that actually helps people—you’ll feel right at home here.