Finding an Online Therapist for Depression in Colorado

When low mood or worry is worth a conversation

Everyone has hard weeks. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes depression as more than ordinary sadness: it can affect how a person feels, thinks and handles daily activities such as sleeping, eating and working. A diagnosis generally involves symptoms that are present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

According to NIMH, these can be signs of depression:

• A sad, anxious or empty mood that does not lift
• Feeling hopeless, guilty or worthless
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
• Tiredness, or feeling slowed down
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Irritability or restlessness

Depression and anxiety often show up together

Notice that an anxious mood is on that list. NIMH notes that depression often occurs alongside other mental health conditions, and many people look for help with low mood and worry at once. Not everyone has every symptom, and NIMH notes that a person with only a few may still benefit from treatment.

Only a qualified professional can tell you what is going on. If these signs last, a health care provider or a licensed therapist is a good first call. NIMH also suggests a medical checkup, since physical conditions can sometimes be behind the same symptoms.

What to look for in a therapist

NIMH says psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, is often tried first for milder depression. It names cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and interpersonal therapy, which focuses on relationships and life events. NIMH also describes a form of CBT used for anxiety disorders, and says therapists may use one approach or combine several.

Fit matters as much as method. NIMH puts it plainly: rapport and trust are essential, and you should feel comfortable with your therapist. It suggests asking questions like these at a first conversation:

• What are your credentials, and which state issued your license?
• What approach do you use, and what is the evidence for it?
• Do you have experience with people my age and with what I am dealing with?
• What would our goals be, and how will we know whether therapy is helping?
• How do you handle confidentiality, and what are its limits?
• Do you take my insurance?

Check the Colorado license

This step is quick. In Colorado, professional counselors are licensed by a state board within the Division of Professions and Occupations, part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies. The board's page has a Verify a License link that opens the Division's online lookup.

Ask the therapist for their full name and license type, search for them, and compare the result. A Licensed Professional Counselor is often listed as LPC. Other licensed professionals, such as clinical social workers, also provide therapy and can be looked up in the same tool.

What online sessions involve

A video session is a real appointment. You join from a phone, tablet or computer, and the conversation works much as it would in an office.

NIMH notes that virtual care can be used for depression and anxiety, and lists some benefits: no travel, easier scheduling, and better access for people who live far from a provider. In a state where the nearest office can be a long drive away, that can matter.

There are trade-offs to plan for. You need a steady internet connection and a place where you will not be overheard. Some people use a parked car, a bedroom with the door closed or a quiet hour when the house is empty.

1. 1Set up your spacePick a private spot, charge your device and test your camera and sound ahead of time.
2. 2Confirm where you areExpect to be asked where you are located. Licensing depends on your location during the session, so tell your therapist if you plan to travel.
3. 3Agree on a backupAsk what happens if the connection drops, and how to reach each other if it does.

Colorado crisis and support resources

Therapy is ongoing care. It is not built for emergencies, so it helps to know these options before you need them. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911 if there is immediate danger. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services.

Colorado's Behavioral Health Administration describes several parts of the state's crisis system:

How we can help

Locascio Wellness is an all-virtual practice, and sessions are by secure video. A therapist on our team is licensed in Colorado as a Licensed Professional Counselor and sees clients who are physically located in Colorado. You must be physically in Colorado during each session.

Our pages on depression therapy and anxiety therapy describe how we work with each. Approaches used by members of our team include CBT, person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy and mindfulness-based approaches. We do not prescribe medication, and decisions about medication belong with a prescriber. You can read about our team and check a license yourself before you decide.

You can book a free 15-minute consultation on our booking page. Coverage depends on your plan and your state, so please ask us to verify your benefits. Our insurance and fees page explains how, and our crisis resources page lists more places to turn.

Reaching out when you feel low takes effort, and it is a strong and ordinary thing to do. Things can get better, and you are allowed to take your time finding the right person.