From the Entrepreneur’s Perspective: Psychological Support in the Digital Age — The Rise and Future of Online Therapy
As Boğaziçi Ventures, we continue sharing the expertise of the companies in our portfolio. In this week’s article, Ali Ozan Özçiçek—Founder & CEO of Hiwell, a platform that aims to make therapy accessible to everyone by bringing licensed psychologists and clients together online—discusses the prevalence of psychological issues and how the pandemic transformed online therapy. He also covers ethical responsibilities and key considerations in online therapy, and shares advice for entrepreneurs. Enjoy the read!
As Boğaziçi Ventures, we continue sharing the expertise of the companies in our portfolio. In this week’s article, Ali Ozan Özçiçek—Founder & CEO of Hiwell, a platform that aims to make therapy accessible to everyone by bringing licensed psychologists and clients together online—discusses the prevalence of psychological issues and how the pandemic transformed online therapy. He also covers ethical responsibilities and key considerations in online therapy, and shares advice for entrepreneurs. Enjoy the read!
The Human Mind and the Role of Online Therapy
The human mind is an infinite universe waiting to be explored. Anyone who wants to better understand their inner world, problems, dreams, and goals can embark on an inner journey of discovery. Online therapy guides this journey and helps people get to know themselves better.
The Prevalence and Commonality of Psychological Issues
People of all ages, socioeconomic groups, and cultures experience psychological challenges from time to time. The most common issues include anxiety and depression. According to a pre-pandemic 2019 study, 500 million people worldwide experience anxiety and depression. Including all other conditions, this number approaches 1 billion.
Issues like anxiety can significantly affect quality of life and highlight the difficulties of accessing support. Hiwell was founded in 2019 with the mission of making psychological support accessible to everyone. Talking about psychology anywhere people are present takes this work to a universal level.
A Brief History of Online Therapy
Online therapy emerged with advances in technology and the increasing need for psychological support. To overcome barriers such as physical distance, time constraints, and fear of judgment, early attempts began in the 1990s as the internet spread. Counseling via email, messaging, and phone laid the groundwork. What we now recognize as video sessions became possible with the maturation of video-conferencing technologies and smart devices.
By the 2010s, global research showed online therapy can be as effective as traditional therapy, yet many therapists hesitated to transition. COVID-19 and lockdowns changed that.
How the Pandemic Transformed Online Therapy
The pandemic brought lockdowns and social isolation worldwide. This not only increased psychological problems but also led to the suspension of in-person sessions—a period when demand rose as supply fell.
The sector experienced a major break as therapy moved online. Both clients and therapists observed that online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face. This shift made therapy accessible to millions.
Hiwell led this transformation with a mission to make therapy accessible to everyone. Today, Hiwell provides online therapy in 7 languages and continues to expand globally.
Today’s Online Therapy Market
A 2021 market study projected a 14.27% annual growth rate for online therapy. Looking at 2022 performance, this rate exceeded 25%.
Another report shows the global online therapy market at $2.86B in 2021, projected to reach $23.52B by 2028 with a 32.12% CAGR. These figures indicate strong potential and continued rapid growth post-pandemic.
In Turkey, according to our company data, we are growing above the global average. Even in saturated markets like North America, growth rates above 30% are observed in Turkey.
Critical Considerations in Online Therapy
To ensure a safe, respectful, and beneficial process for both clients and therapists, several ethical responsibilities matter:
Client Confidentiality & Data Security: Therapists must protect clients’ personal information. Confidentiality is critical for clients to feel safe and fully engage. At Hiwell, 100% confidentiality and anonymity are ensured; sessions cannot be viewed or recorded by third parties.
Clinician Competence: Therapists on Hiwell are clinical psychologists who have completed required training and graduated from master’s programs recognized in Turkey. They pass a rigorous screening process and specialize in various modalities.
User-Friendly Experience: A user-friendly platform improves access and continuity. Continuously improving the app by incorporating user feedback is essential.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Pursuing an idea and working with people who believe in it is deeply enriching for your career and personal growth. The journey comes with challenges that help you learn and grow. Persistence, determination, and patience are especially important in the early stages.
Avoid perfectionism. Aim for “the best,” but recognize that flawlessness is unrealistic and slows progress. Shipping and testing ideas quickly is often more beneficial.
Successful ventures solve a specific problem and create value. If you believe your idea solves a real problem and creates value, it’s easier to stay motivated long-term. Even if you begin locally, your idea may have global potential—study international markets to expand your vision.
A strong team is one of the most important success factors. The better your team understands and embraces the goal, the higher your chances of overcoming challenges.
About Hiwell
Hiwell is a technology company founded in 2019 by Ali Ozan Özçiçek with the mission to make therapy accessible to everyone. By bringing licensed psychologists and clients together online, Hiwell offers affordable services to clients worldwide. With 800+ psychologists, Hiwell selects therapists through a rigorous screening process.
In 2021, Hiwell received ₺4 million in investment at a ₺16 million valuation from Boğaziçi Ventures. In 2022, its valuation increased 5× to $11 million. Hiwell continues to contribute to Turkey’s tech startup ecosystem. Apply now to grow your technology venture with Boğaziçi Ventures and join our global business network!