Mental Health's Role in Accelerating Recovery From Workplace Injury with Joe Holtschlag, CEO of Ascellus Behavioral Health, and Liam Donohue, Founder and Managing Partner at .406 Ventures

Addressing the psychological side of workplace injuries can reduce recovery time by up to 70%, transforming outcomes for both workers and employers. In this episode, Joe Holtschlag, CEO of Ascellus Behavioral Health, and Liam Donohue, Founder and Managing Partner at .406 Ventures, explore how mental healthcare is transforming the workers’ compensation system and why this evolving market brings both challenges and opportunities. Joe traces the system’s evolution from its 1911 origins to today’s inclusion of mental health injuries, noting that 31 states now allow standalone psychological claims. He explains how Ascellus coordinates clinicians, claims adjusters, and employers to build an infrastructure that prioritizes care while ensuring timely return-to-work outcomes, achieving 88% returns within 8–12 therapy sessions. Liam adds an investor’s view, comparing this outcome-based model to AbleTo and emphasizing the double ROI of behavioral health, improving both human and financial results through technology, evidence-based therapy, and strategic partnerships. Tune in and learn how innovation and empathy are redefining recovery in the workplace! Resources: Connect with and follow Liam Donohue on LinkedIn. Learn more about .406 Ventures on LinkedIn and visit their website. Follow and connect with Joe Holtschlag on LinkedIn. Learn more about Ascellus Behavioral Health on LinkedIn and explore their website.