In response to the nationwide shortage of psychologists and lengthy wait times for ADHD diagnosis and therapy, Clarity Pediatrics, a groundbreaking chronic care startup, has introduced a unique solution to expedite access to treatment for children with ADHD. Clarity Pediatrics, established in 2021, aims to reduce wait times from several months to just a couple of days, significantly offering relief to families grappling with the challenges of managing ADHD.
The company’s innovative approach involves providing group therapy sessions not for the children themselves, but for their parents. These eight-week sessions of behavioral parent training (BPT) empower parents with strategies and skills to effectively support their children aged five to 12 with mild-to-moderate ADHD. This model is based on recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, recognizing the pivotal role parents play in helping children navigate symptoms such as difficulty focusing and emotional outbursts.
Christina LaMontagne, CEO and co-founder of Clarity Pediatrics, emphasizes the effectiveness of parent-focused therapy over individual therapy for young children with ADHD. LaMontagne’s background includes leadership roles at Pill Club and Johnson & Johnson, bringing a wealth of healthcare expertise to the innovative model implemented by Clarity Pediatrics.
Despite being relatively new to the healthcare landscape, Clarity Pediatrics has rapidly gained traction, providing online care to thousands of families in California over the past 18 months. The startup recently secured $10 million in seed funding from investors such as Rethink Impact, Homebrew, and Maverick Ventures, enabling the expansion of its services beyond California into other states starting in 2024.
Clarity Pediatrics is part of a movement within the healthcare startup ecosystem, alongside companies like Brightline, Little Otter, and Bend Health, all aiming to address the critical shortage of therapists specializing in pediatric mental health, particularly ADHD.
Looking ahead, Clarity Pediatrics plans to broaden its scope beyond ADHD treatment to encompass other low-complexity pediatric chronic conditions like asthma, allergies, and obesity. This expansion underscores the startup’s commitment to providing comprehensive and accessible healthcare solutions for children and families facing chronic health challenges.
Dr. Alesandro Larrazabal, co-founder of Clarity Pediatrics and a seasoned pediatrician trained at prestigious institutions including UCSF and Stanford, brings valuable clinical expertise to the company’s mission of improving pediatric care delivery.