Contributor

Dr. Simbiat Adighije built Conscientia Health to solve a problem that never should have existed. She saw working professionals and college students trying to navigate life without any mental health support. They were holding it together, showing up for their jobs, and doing what they were supposed to do. But no one was asking how they were really doing.

Most of them didn’t think they needed therapy. They weren’t in crisis. They weren’t falling apart. They were just tired, anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck. Dr. Sim wanted to reach them before things got worse.

“We need to start thinking about mental health checkups the same way we think about annual physicals,” she says. “You don’t have to be in crisis to talk to someone.”

That mindset is the foundation of Conscientia Health. They serve over 12,000 patients in 33 states and 16 countries. Their multi-disciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and therapists have the knowledge and experience to support clients to cope, recover, and break free from mental illness. It is designed for people who look fine on the outside but are carrying more than they can manage. It’s built for those who don’t know where to start or are too afraid to start.

Dr. Sim describes them as “everyday people.” Many are professionals, college students, or young parents who are in motion. They are dealing with life transitions that seem manageable on the surface. Underneath, though, there is often stress, grief, anxiety, or burnout.

“These are not people who are broken,” Dr. Sim says. “They just need support. And they need someone to see them clearly.”

Support is not always easy to find. Many mental health care options are expensive, impersonal, or confusing. Conscientia offers a different model. Patients can use insurance. Matching is fast and personal. Most appointments are done through telehealth, which gives people more flexibility.

Dr. Sim didn’t create this platform to follow a trend. She started it before virtual mental health care became mainstream. She had just lost her mother. Helping others became a way to heal herself.

“I didn’t go into this for money,” she says. “My first 500 patients were free. I wanted to help. I knew this was my gift.”

That sense of purpose has shaped the entire company. Providers are chosen for compassion and presence. Dr. Sim personally interviews and trains every clinician. Credentials matter, but character comes first.

“You can’t teach someone to care,” she says. “Patients know when they are being seen and heard.”

That focus on care is what makes Conscientia different from other platforms. It’s not about volume. It’s about trust. There are no scripted sessions or overbooked calendars. Providers listen closely and build relationships.

This kind of care draws a wide range of people. Most patients are between 19 and 49. Many are navigating college or early career stress. Others are managing parenting, relationships, or job changes. The platform also supports people dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder.

“We are seeing people in all stages of life,” Dr. Sim says. “They may be functioning at a high level, but that doesn’t mean they’re fine.”

That belief has led Conscientia to launch a campaign around annual mental health checkups. The idea is simple. Just like a physical, a check-in with a mental health provider can help prevent larger issues. It can create space for people to name what they’re feeling and build strategies for support.

“You don’t wait until you’re in pain to see a doctor,” she says. “You shouldn’t wait until you’re falling apart to see a mental health professional.”

That proactive mindset is at the heart of Dr. Sim’s approach. She wants people to see mental health care as a regular part of life. Not something shameful. Not something dramatic. Just part of taking care of yourself.

Her team is building more than a platform. They are building trust across communities. They are helping reduce stigma. They are opening doors for people who have never felt safe enough to ask for help.

“Mental health is health,” Dr. Sim says. “It should be treated that way.”

The impact extends beyond therapy. Proceeds from Conscientia support the Christiana Fadugba Foundation, which is named after Dr. Sim’s late mother. The foundation funds education and food programs for thousands of children in Nigeria and across Africa.

Dr. Sim doesn’t see that work as separate from her clinical mission. She believes all of it is connected.

“When we help one person feel better, we’re helping their families and their communities too,” she says. “Healing spreads.”

She still sees patients. That’s the part she refuses to give up.

“There’s nothing you could pay me to stop doing that,” she says. “That’s what keeps me grounded. That’s what brought me here.”

She wants to expand to all 50 states and 30 countries, make annual mental health checkups the norm, and help people understand that mental health support should be accessible, affordable, and human.

That change won’t come from apps or ads. It will come from listening. From showing up. From treating mental health care like something you do because you matter.

“It’s not about fixing people,” she says. “It’s about helping them remember who they are. “It’s about preventative measures: taking care of our mental health so we don’t become mentally ill.”

That reminder might be the most powerful checkup of all.

For more information, visit Conscientia Health.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any mental health condition. Always seek the guidance of your physician or a qualified mental health professional with any questions you may have regarding your mental health or a medical condition. If you are in crisis or experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact a crisis hotline or your local emergency services immediately.