Who we are
Meet the team behind Ash
We can all use some help.
We can all use some help.
But it’s hard.
Fun fact: therapy can be life-changing.
Let’s be real, you’ve probably heard that before. Maybe you’ve even tried it. Or maybe it crossed your mind at 2am when you couldn’t sleep and you were realizing that you’ve been having the same fight with the same person about the same things, and you know you care about them and you know this can be better.
It’s not just you. It’s really really hard to find a therapist, let alone the right therapist—someone you can afford, who fits your schedule, and actually understands your story. (Are insurance companies fighting to keep the system confusing?) And your feelings are probably going to change in the three weeks (or six months, honestly) that it’ll take before you find that first person who’s, unfortunately… probably not the right fit.
But it’s hard.
Fun fact: therapy can be life-changing.
Let’s be real, you’ve probably heard that before. Maybe you’ve even tried it. Or maybe it crossed your mind at 2am when you couldn’t sleep and you were realizing that you’ve been having the same fight with the same person about the same things, and you know you care about them and you know this can be better.
It’s not just you. It’s really really hard to find a therapist, let alone the right therapist—someone you can afford, who fits your schedule, and actually understands your story. (Are insurance companies fighting to keep the system confusing?) And your feelings are probably going to change in the three weeks (or six months, honestly) that it’ll take before you find that first person who’s, unfortunately… probably not the right fit.
That’s why we built Ash.
That’s why we built Ash.
Ash is different. Ash probably won’t replace your therapist—but Ash is there at 2am.
Ash is different. Ash probably won’t replace your therapist—but Ash is there at 2am.
Ash makes therapy easy.
Ash makes therapy easy.
Well, Ash makes therapy easy to access. And Ash is easy to talk to. (But if we’re honest, the hard part is still going to be hard. Sorry, that’s just part of being human.)
Ash learns what works for you. Some people need to be challenged; others need validation. Some want practical advice, others want to dig deeper into patterns. Ash doesn't assume it knows what you need — it listens, learns, and adapts.
And Ash won't judge you. Ash won't get tired of hearing about the same problem, and won't be surprised by your [super weird] thoughts or feelings. Ash is just there—ready to help you figure things out.
Well, Ash makes therapy easy to access. And Ash is easy to talk to. (But if we’re honest, the hard part is still going to be hard. Sorry, that’s just part of being human.)
Ash learns what works for you. Some people need to be challenged; others need validation. Some want practical advice, others want to dig deeper into patterns. Ash doesn't assume it knows what you need — it listens, learns, and adapts.
And Ash won't judge you. Ash won't get tired of hearing about the same problem, and won't be surprised by your [super weird] thoughts or feelings. Ash is just there—ready to help you figure things out.
"I felt comfortable talking about things that I have been keeping bottled up. [...] Thank you for being a guide through my own darkness and back into the light of my life when I have shut everyone else out."
"I felt comfortable talking about things that I have been keeping bottled up. [...] Thank you for being a guide through my own darkness and back into the light of my life when I have shut everyone else out."
Your conversations stay private. Your growth is your own.
Your conversations stay private. Your growth is your own.
Our people
The Team
Daniel Reid Cahn, Co-Founder and CEO
prev. AI Research at Imperial College London (mental health crisis)
Daniel Reid Cahn, Co-Founder and CEO
prev. AI Research at Imperial College London (mental health crisis)
Daniel Reid Cahn, Co-Founder and CEO
prev. AI Research at Imperial College London (mental health crisis)
Neil Parikh, Co-Founder and President
prev. Co-Founder at Casper
Neil Parikh, Co-Founder and President
prev. Co-Founder at Casper
Neil Parikh, Co-Founder and President
prev. Co-Founder at Casper
Dr. Derrick Hull, Clinical and Research Lead
prev. PhD. Clinical Psychology @ Columbia, Talkspace, Noom, Hero Journey Club
Dr. Derrick Hull, Clinical and Research Lead
prev. PhD. Clinical Psychology @ Columbia, Talkspace, Noom, Hero Journey Club
Dr. Derrick Hull, Clinical and Research Lead
prev. PhD. Clinical Psychology @ Columbia, Talkspace, Noom, Hero Journey Club
Our experts and advisors
Dr. Pat Arean
Psychologist, Behavioral Scientist, & Former Director of Research at the NIMH
Dr. Devika Bhushan
Pediatrician, NAMI Board, & Former Surgeon General of California
Dr. Tom Insel
Psychiatrist, Founder, & Former Director of the NIMH (2002-2015)
Dr. Derrick Hull
Researcher & Psychologist, Clinical Lead at Slingshot AI
Aaron Rosenberg
Former Head of Strategy & Operations (Trust & Safety) at Google DeepMind
Mahmoud Khedr
Holistic Healer, Innovator, MHA Board, & Lived Experience Advocate
Dr. Mark Ungless
Director of Research at UK Shout Crisis Line & Former Lecturer at Imperial, Oxford
Patrick J. Kennedy
Former Congressman (RI-1) & Mental Health Advocate
Dr. Pushkar Joshi
Chief Innovation Officer at One Mind
GET IN TOUCH
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Ash is not designed to be used in crisis. If you are in crisis, please seek out professional help, or a crisis line. You can find resources at www.findahelpline.com.
© Slingshot AI 2025
GET IN TOUCH
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Ash is not designed to be used in crisis. If you are in crisis, please seek out professional help, or a crisis line. You can find resources at www.findahelpline.com.
© Slingshot AI 2025
GET IN TOUCH
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Ash is not designed to be used in crisis. If you are in crisis, please seek out professional help, or a crisis line. You can find resources at www.findahelpline.com.
© Slingshot AI 2025