Dr. Kevin Grold graduated with honors from the University of California at Santa Barbara and then received his graduate training from the Professional School of Psychological Studies in San Diego. Dr. Grold took over the Mental Health Referral Service when his father, who began the service in West Los Angeles, retired.  Dr. Kevin Grold renamed it the  1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK and developed it into a major business in Southern California--eventually helping thousands of people every month with their mental health referral needs.  Dr. Grold recognized the benefit of having the 1-800-THERAPIST phone number early on and he began advertising this easily recognizable number long before the 800 number phenomenon became widespread.  Therapists and marketers from all over the country took notice of how popular and effective this Southern California business had become.  They would often comment, "If I only had thought to get that 800 number!" 

In 1994, new technology from AT&T became available which allowed 800 number routing by area code.  Dr. Grold immediately took advantage of this new technology and developed the 1-800-THERAPIST NETWORK.  His approach to marketing and managing this new Network was unique and had never been attempted before.  Dr. Grold figured that the only way to provide local assistance by a licensed mental health professional was to establish a therapist in each region of the country.  He designated local therapists throughout the country to act as regional Network Directors and before long, he had developed an international, yet community service based, business.