Founder-led small businesses depend on a small number of highly committed people. When those individuals experience burnout or chronic stress, the impact is immediate — on morale, productivity, and retention.
Investing in meaningful mental health support reduces costly turnover, protects decision-making capacity, and strengthens the long-term stability of your team.
My employer-sponsored executive mental health services are designed to protect both people and performance. By supporting emotional resilience and reducing burnout risk, I help founders build teams that sustain high standards without sacrificing well-being.
Isn’t this an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
No. This is a boutique, clinician-led alternative designed for small businesses seeking direct access and meaningful utilization. Care is discreet, clinically grounded, and focused on long-term resilience — not temporary intervention.
So, why not just use an EAP?
Employee Assistance Programs can be helpful for short-term or crisis-based support. However, they are typically session-limited and designed for large corporate structures.
Paulson Executive Mental Health provides ongoing, relationship-based care tailored specifically for founder-led small businesses. In small teams, stress and burnout rarely begin as crises — they show up gradually as disengagement, decision fatigue, and quiet strain.
By offering consistent, confidential support with a dedicated clinician, this model helps prevent burnout before it impacts productivity or retention. The result is not only stronger individual well-being, but greater stability, sustained performance, and reduced turnover risk for the organization.
FAQs
Are these services tax-beneficial?
Yes. As a workplace-sponsored mental health benefit, these services are generally considered deductible under IRS §162 as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Employers are encouraged to consult their tax advisor for guidance specific to their situation.
Is employee participation confidential?
Yes. Employers receive utilization only summaries. No identifying information or session content is shared. Participating employees directly communicate with the clinician.
What if multiple employees request care?
Plans include session caps to ensure sustainability. Additional sessions can be added if needed.
Is this virtual or in-person?
Primarily virtual, with in-person options depending on location and plan.
What is the minimum term?
We recommend a 6-month contract to establish effectiveness and utilization patterns.
How It Works
Supporting your team’s mental health should feel seamless — not complicated.
1. Initial Consultation
We begin with a brief conversation to understand your team size, structure, and goals. We discuss current pressures, growth trajectory, and what sustainable support would look like for your organization.
2. Customized Engagement Structure
Services are tailored to your business. This may include employer-sponsored individual therapy for employees, executive-level support for founders, or a combination of both. A simple 6-month retainer model ensures consistency and predictability.
3. Confidential, Relationship-Based Care
Employees work directly with a dedicated licensed clinician in a private, confidential setting. Unlike session-limited programs, care is ongoing and preventative — building trust, resilience, and emotional steadiness over time.
4. Sustainable Performance & Retention
By addressing stress and burnout early, your organization protects focus, decision-making capacity, and long-term retention. The goal is not just crisis response — it is sustained performance supported by psychological well-being.
Partnerships
foundation
partnership
$2,750/month
Designed for teams of up to 4 members
Includes:
• Reserved monthly allocation of up to 10 confidential therapy sessions
• Dedicated clinician access
• Executive-level support for founder (as needed)
• Priority scheduling
• Quarterly organizational check-in
growth
partnership
$5,500/month
Designed for teams of up to 8 members
Includes:
• Reserved monthly allocation of up to 20 confidential therapy sessions
• Dedicated clinician access
• Executive-level support for founder
• Priority scheduling
• Quarterly organizational check-in
leadership
partnership
$9,500/month
Designed for teams of up to 12 members
Includes:
• Reserved monthly allocation of up to 32 confidential therapy sessions
• Dedicated clinician access
• Ongoing executive support for founder
• Priority scheduling
• Quarterly organizational check-in