Fello, a new app launched in August, is offering a novel twist on mental-health support—charging users to chat with strangers who have gone through similar life experiences. For $40, users can book a 30-minute session with a “Fello,” someone who has faced similar struggles such as relationship challenges, substance use, or parenting issues, but isn’t a licensed therapist. The idea behind the platform is to provide personalized peer support, a human connection that many feel is lacking in traditional mental-health care.
CEO Alyssa Pollack, a former executive at Uber Eats, sees Fello as a way to fill the gap in accessible mental-health support. “It’s a new type of support that you don’t get from traditional support groups or therapy,” she says, highlighting the value of speaking with someone who shares your lived experience. Unlike traditional therapy, which can be expensive and difficult to access, Fello connects users with individuals who have no special qualifications other than their own experience.
The concept is part of a growing trend where peer support, long offered for free in various forms, is now being monetized. Platforms like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous have long used peer support to help individuals overcome challenges. Fello follows in their footsteps, capitalizing on the increasing demand for alternative mental-health solutions, especially as traditional care becomes harder to find and afford. According to Mental Health America, over half of U.S. adults with mental health conditions did not receive treatment in 2022, and only 10% of U.S. adults are currently seeing a therapist.
Despite its promise, the peer-support model has its critics. Dr. John Torous, a psychiatrist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, has raised concerns about the lack of professional qualifications for Fello’s supporters. “These people aren’t therapists,” he cautions. “We don’t want to make having a conversation costly, especially when it could be seen as an alternative to professional care.”
Supporters of peer support, however, argue that it fills a valuable gap for people who don’t need or want clinical treatment. Keith Humphreys, a professor at Stanford University, points out that peer support can relieve pressure on the mental-health system by offering those facing life challenges—such as career setbacks or relationship struggles—sympathetic ears without requiring clinical intervention. Studies have shown that peer support can improve personal recovery and boost well-being, even if it doesn’t reduce clinical symptoms.
While Fello isn’t the first app to enter this space, it is betting that the increasing demand for mental-health support combined with the loneliness epidemic will make its model successful. Users seeking help can choose from a range of peers who have been vetted through background checks and brief training. The app charges $40 per session, with 70% of the fee going to the Fello.
As more people look for accessible mental-health options, platforms like Fello offer a potentially valuable complement to traditional therapy, though the risks and benefits remain a topic of debate.
