How do you handle workplace stress… when it’s your job to help other people handle workplace stress? Jessica Muse knows. As the COO of Cerebral, she’s helping propel the mental health company into a new world—one where everyone’s on the couch, and a little off their game. Here’s how she’s staying (mostly) calm while working to steer Cerebral towards more women taking charge of their own mental health.

What’s been your own journey with mental health? How has it influenced what you do for Cerebral?
Having had my own journey with anxiety and depression over the years, I was so inspired by Cerebral’s mission and to help grow its impact. In my last role at Well+Good, I saw firsthand how interest in our mental health content exploded and really resonated with readers. We are, I believe, at an inflection point where this topic is becoming more and more destigmatized in pop culture. I feel so grateful to be part of a company at the center of this conversation.

In your view, what’s the biggest obstacle to mental healthcare right now?
Access… On average, it takes three months to see a psychiatrist and costs $500 for an initial visit. If one is lucky enough to access mental health services, psychiatry (the medication side) and therapy will often operate in silos instead of cohesively as one plan of treatment. We’ve designed our treatment plans to be as accessible as possible—clients can see a provider immediately, and we charge $99 per month for a plan that combines psychiatry and counseling.

What’s a problem with mental health solutions for women specifically?
The stigma of admitting you need help or that anything is “wrong” can be really hard for women especially. As the great Brené Brown says, “For women, shame is a web of unattainable expectations that say, ‘Do it all, do it perfectly, and never let them see you struggle.’” So voicing that you need help and taking action can be very challenging for most women… No one is alone in this. There are so many people struggling with this, and there are safe places and services that can help you feel better.

As a leader at a mental health company, how do you handle workplace stress or conflict?
I embrace a lot of the Radical Honesty principles around delivering feedback honestly and proactively, even if it’s uncomfortable. Anything less than that, in my view, is ultimately hurting your colleagues whose feelings you may be trying to spare in the short-term. As for workplace stress, I try and use a lot of the tools my own therapist has equipped me with over the years, like mindfulness and journaling. I rely a lot on my relationships and family to help keep my perspective in check on particularly stressful days.

What do you hope to contribute through your work?
First, I hope we can help millions of people access mental health services and ultimately feel better. Second, I hope we can help accelerate the momentum already underway in destigmatizing mental health care.