According to the Colorado Health Institute, the state’s suicide death rate in 2018 was among the top 10 in the nation, at 21.9 deaths per 100,000 people. This statistic indicates a significant mental health concern in the state, with people suffering from disorders like anxiety, depression, and loneliness in recent years.
An effective remedy for improving this mental health crisis can be online therapy. As opposed to in-person therapy which requires an individual to venture outside, online therapy offers treatment to individuals who need it within the comfort of their home. This is usually facilitated with the help of online therapy platforms that connect licensed therapists with patients all over the world.
In this article, we will discuss everything there is to know about online therapy in Colorado, discussing the types of online therapy, its advantages, as well as the pros and cons of the best online therapy platforms.
What is Online Therapy in Colorado?
Online therapy in Colorado refers to mental health services provided through the internet via various platforms. It is regarded as a convenient yet effective option to treat many common mental health issues.
Research suggests online therapy to be particularly successful in treating disorders like depression, dementia, schizophrenia, suicide prevention, post-traumatic stress, and eating disorders.
Many online therapy platforms match patients with licensed therapists best suited to their needs. These therapists may conduct sessions through live video chat, telephone, text message, or email. Other interactive resources such as online journaling and support forums may also be offered to supplement treatment.
Advantages of Online Therapy In Colorado
A report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that over half (53.7%) of adults with mental illness in Colorado did not receive any type of mental health service. This may be due to issues related to accessibility and convenience.
By utilizing online therapy services, the number of patients treated for their mental health disorders can increase.
Below are some advantages of online therapy in Colorado for struggling patients:
- Accessibility: If your in-person therapist is far, you may need to spend more time traveling back and forth. Online therapy sessions eliminate this hurdle, requiring nothing more than a stable internet connection to access the help you need to get better.
- Convenience: Busy individuals with young kids or a demanding job may find online therapy more accommodating to their schedule. Being able to take sessions during pockets of free time ensures the treatment remains ongoing, preventing the patient from quitting early due to extra burden.
- Affordability: An online therapy membership typically costs less than a single visit with your in-person therapist. You can also expect to save overhead costs such as money spent on fuel, public transport, or childcare.
- Wide Selection Of Therapists: Online therapy platforms host hundreds of licensed professionals for mental health therapy. If you are looking for specialized treatment, the chances of finding an expert in your field greatly increase with online therapy as opposed to physical therapists in your locality.
- Privacy: Many individuals may feel embarrassed about their mental health condition. This can make venturing outside of the home for treatment an intimidating ordeal. Online therapy can take place from the comfort of your home, ensuring you receive the treatment you need without anyone else finding out.
Types of Online Therapy
Online therapy is a vast field encompassing many styles and methods of mental health treatment. Patients with mental health disorders can choose a treatment method that not only manages their disorder but also aligns with their therapeutic goals.
Here are a few different types of online therapy in Colorado:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Individuals suffering from mental health issues that impact their self-esteem such as depression or anxiety may benefit from seeking cognitive behavioral therapy.
This method of treatment works to minimize negative thoughts and feelings by breaking them up into smaller parts that can be dealt with more easily. The idea is to shift a patient’s thought process to become more positive, helping them to cope with the symptoms of their illness more effectively.
Research indicates online CBT to be a viable and effective alternative to face-to-face treatment, further solidifying its effectiveness.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IP)
Individuals facing issues with their relationships may seek Interpersonal Psychotherapy treatment for improvement. This type of online therapy focuses on how the relationships around an individual affect their mood and well-being, guiding them to cultivate close bonds and improve interpersonal attachments.
Therapists following IP treatment are encouraged to act as empathic listeners, actively offering guidance to shift their way of thinking.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
This type of online therapy is most suitable for those who have difficulty managing intense emotions. This may include feelings of grief and sadness, extreme stress, or even suicidal behavior.
An online DBT therapist will guide their patients toward regulating their emotions. Common techniques taught include journaling, breathing exercises, and meditation.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mental health patients who have faced some kind of trauma in their past may benefit most from online EMDR therapy.
This form of therapy involves the therapist guiding the patient to follow their finger with their eyes. As they continue to move their eyes back and forth in patterns, the patient is asked to recall the traumatic event in their life that continues to affect them.
This exercise aims to help the patient process their trauma, eventually healing from it.
Illnesses Treated Using Online Therapy in Colorado
Online therapy can be used to treat many different illnesses, most commonly anxiety and depression. Some platforms offer psychiatry and crisis care in addition to therapeutic services, though this is not always the case.
Below is a list of the many mental illnesses which can be effectively treated using online therapy services.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief and Loss
- Bipolar Disorder
- PTSD
- Insomnia
- ADHD
- Eating Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Substance Use Disorder
- Panic Disorder
Best Platforms Offering Online Therapy In Colorado
There are many online platforms offering therapy for mental health patients living in Colorado. Individuals interested in gaining treatment can simply visit the website or app of the platform of their choice and sign up online.
Below are some of the best platforms offering online therapy services in Colorado.
Betterhelp
With a network of over 300,000 licensed therapists, Betterhelp is among the largest and most popular online therapy platforms.
It features multiple treatment options for adults, couples, and teens facing common mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Sessions are also priced reasonably, costing between $65 to $90 a week.
| Pros | Cons |
| Extensive network of over 300,000 licensed therapists with a minimum 3 years of experience Affordably priced at $65 to $90 a week Therapists can be reached via video, audio, or text messaging Membership includes additional features like journaling, group sessions, and digital worksheets | Insurance is not accepted Cannot choose your own therapist Limited to therapy only, so does not offer any medication or diagnosis |
Talkspace
Talkspace is another popular online therapy platform offering both therapy and psychiatry services.
Users of Talkspace can pay for treatment using their insurance offered by medical assistance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. The platform offers treatment for a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers both therapy and psychiatric services, allowing for medication management Covered by most major insurance companies like Medicaid Allows for therapist switching Features cost-effective pricing plans (starting at $79 a week) | Psychiatry services are only available to adults over 18 and living in the US Does not offer diagnosis services |
Brightside
An online therapy platform specializing in anxiety and depression, Brightside offers its patients one-on-one care personalized to their needs.
The platform features both therapeutic and psychiatric services, as well as crisis care for individuals at risk of suicide.
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers therapy, psychiatric services, and crisis care Covered by most major insurance companies like Aetna, Cigna, and Allegiance Allows for therapist switching Use of AI technology for prescribing medication most effectively | Crisis care only available for those with insurance Offers services only to adults over the age of 18 |
Is Online Therapy in Colorado Covered By Medicaid Insurance?
Whether or not online therapy is covered by Medicaid insurance depends on the platform offering it. Some online therapy platforms like Talkspace and Brightside do allow their users to use their insurance to cover the costs of their services, while others like Betterhelp do not.
If you want to receive online therapy using Medicaid in Colorado, it is best to contact the platform directly to explain your situation. Oftentimes platforms will make concessions for new customers, offering discounts and other perks to help users get the treatment they need.
Key Takeaways
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