CSD SVF Sits Down With Amanda Sortwell Crane

CSD Social Venture Fund got a chance to sit down with National Deaf Therapy COO & CoFounder Amanda Crane for a quick Q&A.

Question 1 – What does NDT do?

My name is Amanda Sortwell and I am 1 of the co-founders of National Deaf Therapy, NDT. NDT is a mental health group practice company that offers 100% online services, what kind of services? Mental health, individuals, couples, groups.

By who? Deaf therapists. For who? The Deaf Community. The goal is to improve services related with mental health for our Deaf Community – and that’s what NDT is about.

Question 2 – How did you start out?

NDT, we started out a few years ago, me and my business partner Mega, we both started out in our field as a mental health clinician/counselor. We continued to see many of our clients come to us and they can’t receive services from us, or we see them commenting on finally being able to connect, saying many years of no mental health services. We take that to heart, and it needs to change.

So, we decided how do we change that missing gap between mental health and our Deaf Community. Technology came into the picture and what does that look like? We offer services online through mobile, laptop, and computer.

Question 3 – Current state of mental health?

Yeah, I think in our deaf community, mental health services and resources is literally in crisis. There are not enough resources. And our NDT 5-year goal is to increase resources and increase accessibility to mental health services.

That’s the key, because mental health of our well-being within our Deaf Community is so vital at this point because there’s a lot of wounds within our Deaf Community, Deaf education, to employment search, that impacts a Deaf individual’s mental health wellness. So we need mental health services now more than ever.

Question 4 – How many people are looking for mental health services?

Yes, it is estimated that in the U.S. there are 5 million Deaf individuals looking for mental health services but, understand, only 2% get the right mental health services. And what does that mean? Many barriers. Like, maybe the therapist is hearing and doesn’t know how to sign, or the right information services? Maybe he isn’t able to support or fund their mental health sessions. That barrier, more and more. Many barriers. That 2% of 5 million, that’s a harmful site. That number needs to improve and change.

Question 5 – Thoughts on the deaf ecosystem?

There are different perspectives to our business that contributes to the Deaf ecosystem. Our therapists have more job opportunities. Often times, they graduate with a counseling degree, and never use it. Instead have to take other jobs, that’s something we offer – that opportunity. Deaf clients looking for [mental health] services – we provide that ecosystem to make sure we use each other’s services to improve within our community.

Question 6 – Any advice to share?

You will be challenged along the way. When you start a business, you will often find yourself saying “really, what am I doing?” Remember the purpose, remember why you started. Remind yourself, of the reason you are here today. Challenge after challenge, you will be challenged with your weakness, during unexpected times, you will be tested, and [you will get] tired and you lose motivation. Keep your goal – your ultimate goal – keep focusing on that.