Today we’d like to introduce you to Anurag Agarwalla
Hi Anurag, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started hpy in 2020 with a vision to bridge the gap between therapy and personal development. After experiencing burnout during my time at Uber and going through intensive outpatient therapy, I realized the need for tools that empower people to “do the work” of self-awareness and growth. What began as a platform focused on corporate mental health quickly evolved during the economic downturn to something much more meaningful: helping therapists, life coaches, and their clients scale their impact and deepen their connection.
Today, hpy has become a game-changer for mental health professionals and individuals alike. We’ve built a platform that combines cutting-edge AI with ancient wisdom, delivering tools like AI-generated notes that save therapists hours of time, while offering clients daily nudges, actions, and reflections that inspire continuous growth. Our mission is to make mental health support more accessible, actionable, and human-centered.
At hpy, we believe AI should assist, not replace, the deep human connection that drives mental health and happiness. We’re redefining what it means to support mental wellness—empowering therapists to thrive in their practice and clients to take meaningful steps toward self-actualization. This journey has been incredible, and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Building hpy has been one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences of my life. The journey started with a clear vision, but along the way, I’ve faced a range of obstacles that have tested my resilience, values, and commitment to both hpy and my own mental wellbeing.
One of the biggest challenges came early when we realized our initial focus on corporate mental health wasn’t sustainable in the face of economic downturns. That forced a major pivot—shifting our focus to therapists and their clients, a move that required us to reimagine the product and our mission. While this change brought clarity and renewed energy, it also came with financial and operational uncertainty, forcing me to make difficult decisions while staying true to our purpose.
On a personal level, the experience of building hpy has been deeply intertwined with my own mental health journey. Striking a balance between leading a company, being a present father and husband, and managing my own wellbeing has often felt overwhelming. I’ve had to confront deep-seated imposter syndrome—the nagging belief that I’m not good enough, that I don’t deserve success, or that I won’t be able to deliver on the promise of hpy. At times, these thoughts have drained my confidence and clarity, leaving me questioning whether I could carry the weight of it all.
Another test of my values came in the form of a close friend who demanded compensation for contributions to a previous iteration of hpy, even after the business had pivoted. What began as a partnership turned into a painful threat of extortion, with aggressive legal demands for payment under terms that felt unfair. It wasn’t just a financial challenge; it was an emotional one, forcing me to reconcile loyalty, fairness, and boundaries in a way I hadn’t before. This experience taught me the importance of clear contracts, open communication, and protecting the integrity of the company while maintaining self-respect.
Through it all, I’ve learned the importance of prioritizing my mental health while building hpy. Therapy, mindfulness practices, and leaning on my support system have been essential. I’ve also had to give myself permission to take breaks, set boundaries, and accept that progress doesn’t always come as quickly as I want. It’s an ongoing process of self-compassion, learning, and growth.
Despite these challenges, what keeps me going is the belief in hpy’s mission and the impact we’re already making. I’ve come to see the obstacles as opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally. They’ve forced me to dig deep, clarify my values, and push forward with an even stronger sense of purpose.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At hpy, we are on a mission to redefine mental wellness and personal growth by bridging the gap between therapy and action. We specialize in empowering mental health professionals and their clients with innovative tools that enhance therapeutic outcomes and save time. Our platform leverages cutting-edge AI to turn therapy conversations into actionable insights, daily nudges, and personalized growth plans. We’re known for our ability to integrate seamlessly into therapists’ workflows while prioritizing human connection and emotional understanding.
What sets us apart is our unwavering focus on combining ancient wisdom with modern science to create tools that are practical, intuitive, and deeply impactful. We are proud to be the only platform that captures emotions during therapy sessions, providing unparalleled insights while saving therapists hours of time. With privacy and trust at the forefront, we ensure no personally identifiable information (PII) is stored, and all data is processed and anonymized. This allows us to enhance the therapeutic process without compromising the sacred trust between therapist and client.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of creating a space that feels light, human, and deeply connected to happiness. hpy is a brand that doesn’t just speak to mental wellness—it embodies it. From our vibrant, approachable design to our values of balance, efficiency, and human connection, we aim to inspire and empower everyone we work with.
We want your readers to know that hpy isn’t just a tool; it’s a partner in the journey of mental wellness. Whether you’re a therapist looking to streamline your practice and connect more deeply with your clients, or an individual seeking actionable ways to grow, hpy is here to make the process easier, more accessible, and impactful. We’re not just building a product—we’re building a movement that transforms the way people experience mental health support.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, the mental health industry is poised for transformative change, driven by advancements in technology, shifting societal attitudes, and a growing recognition of the importance of mental wellness. Here’s what I see shaping the future:
1. AI-Driven Mental Health Tools
AI will continue to revolutionize the mental health space, moving from being a helpful assistant to becoming an essential part of therapy and personal development. Tools like emotion analytics, personalized recommendations, and real-time insights will empower therapists to focus on the human connection while leveraging AI to handle time-consuming tasks like note-taking, scheduling, and administrative burdens.
2. Personalization and Precision Mental Health
Just as we’ve seen in medicine, mental health will shift towards more personalized and precision-based approaches. Data-driven insights will enable providers to tailor interventions to individual needs, helping clients achieve faster and more sustainable outcomes.
3. Blending Therapy with Self-Guided Growth
The traditional boundaries between therapy, coaching, and self-help will blur, creating a more integrated approach to mental wellness. Platforms will empower individuals to “do the work” between sessions through guided exercises, daily actions, and ongoing nudges—bridging the gap between therapy and everyday life.
4. Normalization and Greater Access
As the stigma around mental health continues to decline, more people will seek support. This will drive demand for scalable, affordable solutions, including telehealth, group therapy, and AI-driven self-help tools. It will also require a focus on diversity and inclusivity to meet the needs of underserved communities.
5. Emphasis on Prevention and Wellbeing
Mental health will no longer just focus on addressing crises or illnesses but will expand to emphasize prevention, resilience, and overall wellbeing. Organizations and schools will increasingly invest in proactive mental health strategies, shifting from a reactive model to a preventive one.
6. Integration with Wearables and Everyday Tech
Wearable technology and mental health apps will become even more integrated, offering real-time feedback on emotional states and stress levels. These tools will help people stay connected to their inner worlds while offering practical guidance throughout their day.
7. Global Reach and Decentralization
Advances in digital platforms will make mental health services accessible across the globe, even in remote areas. Decentralized tools, peer-to-peer support networks, and culturally specific interventions will help meet the needs of diverse populations.
The mental health industry is evolving toward a future that is more inclusive, tech-enabled, and focused on holistic growth. At hpy, we’re excited to be part of this transformation, building tools that don’t just adapt to these changes but actively shape them by putting humanity and happiness at the center of innovation.
Pricing:
- We have a few plans:
- $1 / session for therapists / coaches (first year free app for clients)
- $50 / mo for unlimited transcriptions and clients (first year)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thinkhpy.com
- Instagram: thinkhpy
- Other: anurag@thinkhpy.com
