Franchise Deep Dive: Ellie Mental Health Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

Founded on the principle of destigmatizing mental health, this franchise wants to make therapy accessible to everyone who needs it.

By Victoria CampisiStaff Writer

11:11AM • 12/12/23

LAST UPDATED: October 2023

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://elliementalhealth.com/own-an-ellie/

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 180+

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $279K–$480K

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): N/A

Ellie Mental Health is a fast-growing mental health franchise, dedicated to positively impacting the lives of communities through in-person and online care.

How Many Ellie Mental Health Locations Are There?

Ellie was founded in 2015 by Erin Pash and Kyle Keller, when they opened the first Ellie clinic on the principle of destigmatizing mental health. Since then, the franchise has continued to grow, now having over 180 locations across the country.

What Is the Ellie Mental Health Business Model?

Ellie aims to make therapy accessible and effective for everyone.

“Our mission is to compassionately transform the culture of mental health care by providing creative solutions that make wellness accessible in every community,” the company wrote on its website. “And while we know that caring for your mental health and being vulnerable with someone you just met can seem scary, we do everything that we can to make each Ellie appointment as comfortable and as fun as possible. We aim to walk along this journey with you and provide you with a comfortable place to talk, decompress, do the work, and heal.”

Core services include:

Individual therapy
Couples therapy
Online therapy
Family therapy
Children’s therapy
Medication management
Grief therapy
Trauma-informed therapy
EMDR therapy
Art therapy

Ellie wants to help its franchisees help others through support in:

Real Estate: Staff will help franchisees in the site selection and lease negotiations to find the ideal site.
Finance: The team will provide assistance with loan processing through the Small Business Administration.
Site Build Support: The team walks franchisees through the entire buildout process from corporate-approved layout and general construction to interior design and on-site technology.
Marketing: Once franchisees sign a lease agreement, the marketing of the location begins with personalized support to set up social media and marketing materials to generate business.
Recruitment: Ellie supports franchisees in hiring the qualified clinic directors and therapists.
Training: Franchisees will attend a comprehensive training course, an annual franchise convention and opportunities to connect with subject matter experts.
Brand Development: Franchisees receive brand-standard guidelines, and digital and print material templates to personalize their own Ellie.
Call Center: An in-house call center team will connect prospective clients to therapists to find a perfect match and schedule their first appointment.
Medical Records and Billing: An Electronic Health Record System with integrated billing ensures all client records remain compliant and insurance claims get processed.
Credentialing and Contracting: A credentialing partner panels licensed therapists with insurance to receive the best in-network rates for your services.

How Much Can Ellie Mental Health Franchise Owners Make?

Earnings for Ellie owners are not publicly available.

How Much Does It Cost To Open Ellie Mental Health?

The estimated initial investment to open an Ellie Mental Health is $279K to $480K, according to Entrepreneur.

What Is the Franchise Fee for Ellie Mental Health?

The franchise fee is $60K.

Who Is the Leadership of Ellie Mental Health?

Erin Pash MA, LMFT — CEO, Founder
Jeff Harmsen — Chief Operating Officer
Justin Gerstner MD — Chief Medical Officer
Melissa Amponsah — Chief Marketing Officer
Suzette Schommer JD — Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel
Christopher Pash — Senior Vice President of Business Development
Hallie Corbett MS — Senior Vice President of Strategy
Jesse McBain — Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations
Andy Leinfelder — Vice President of Finance
Emma Martin LaPlant MA, CSM — Vice President of Global Operations Services and Training
Emmanuelle Hardy — Vice President of Franchise Development
Katie Schoenberger — Vice President of Revenue Cycle and Payer Services
LaShelle Londo, MBA — Vice President of Real Estate, Design, and Consultation
Lucas Volini DMFT, LMFT — Vice President of Clinical Quality and Creative
Shawn Fredrickson — Vice President of Technology
Zachary Osgood — Vice President of Talent Acquisition

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About Ellie Mental Health?

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