The partnership between CATÓLICA-LISBON and Rádio Renascença continues to bring inspiring stories to the public through their podcast. In the latest episode, we had the opportunity to meet Tiago Gomes, who at just 24 years old is already the founder of Clarapy Therapeutics, an innovative platform that democratizes access to qualified psychologists, facilitating mental health consultations easily and conveniently.
From an early age, his interest oscillated between Medicine and Psychology, but it was the freedom offered by Psychology that attracted him, leading him to pursue a degree in this field at Universidade Católica Portuguesa. His entry into CATÓLICA-LISBON a few years later to pursue a master's degree marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey. Realizing the need to merge his knowledge in Psychology with expertise in entrepreneurship and business, Tiago founded Clarapy Therapeutics, a platform launched in September 2023.
Tiago highlights the crucial moment that inspired him during his Psychology studies: a class that began with the provocative statement that "psychology was for the rich." This observation stayed in his mind, fueling his determination to create a positive and accessible impact in the field of mental health.
Clarapy Therapeutics was born from a burning desire to simplify access to psychotherapy. The platform offers a range of services, from psychology and psychiatry consultations to workshops and training, all within a single digital ecosystem. Its intelligent algorithm makes personalized suggestions of psychologists based on each user's individual needs and preferences.
Since its launch, Clarapy has impacted more than 200 people, working in partnership with various companies to offer mental health services to their employees. "Our goal is to be one step ahead, bringing efficiency in psychology to Portugal. We don't just want to provide a psychologist; we want to provide the right psychologist." Tiago also emphasizes the importance of flexibility in service offerings, with consultations available online via video call, phone, and even messages, to ensure therapy is accessible to everyone, regardless of their limitations or preferences.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digitization of mental health services, making Clarapy's vision even more relevant. "The pandemic was the revolution process; it had a significant digitization process. It significantly facilitated the process of democratizing access to mental health."
Tiago attributes part of Clarapy's success to his training at CATÓLICA-LISBON, which provided him with the necessary tools and knowledge to build a solid company. He particularly acknowledges the influence of courses in entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing, as well as the ongoing mentorship from professors.
Concluding the interview, Tiago offers advice to future entrepreneurs: "Take risks. The biggest regret will never be the things we failed at, but the things we didn't do." Despite the challenges of the Portuguese market, Tiago believes that overcoming these obstacles is the first step to international success.
Clarapy Therapeutics continues to positively impact mental health in Portugal, promoting a holistic and accessible approach to therapy. With his innovative vision and unwavering commitment, Tiago Gomes is paving the way for a healthier and more balanced future for all Portuguese people.