What Depression Treatments Are Available in Boulder County?

If you’re searching for depression treatment in Boulder, you’re not alone. With so many options—from traditional therapy to advanced treatments like Spravato® and TMS—it can feel overwhelming to know what actually works. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we make it simple by combining the most effective treatments under one roof. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have tried everything else, our personalized approach helps you get the care you need without the confusion.

Why Boulder County Residents Need Evidence-Based, Integrated Care

Depression rates in Colorado are among the highest in the nation. In fact, we rank #50 of all states for the prevalence of mental illness despite being in the Top 10 for access to mental health professionals. If every adult with serious thoughts of suicide in Colorado completed that thought, it would be the equivalent of Boulder and Lakewood disappearing off of the map.

For residents of Boulder, access to evidence-based, integrated care is essential. Traditional talk therapy and medication alone may not be enough. That’s why Axis offers a combination of treatments tailored to your needs. We serve patients in Boulder, Louisville, and beyond who are looking for options that go beyond the basics. Despite having a higher ratio of providers for every 1,000 patients overall, Boulder County's age-adjusted suicide rate per 100K in population increased from 16.3% in 2016 to 20.05% in 2021. Clearly, it's not just about getting care, but getting the right care is needed to arrest this trend.

Therapy & Medication Management at Axis

Our providers use proven therapy methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to address the root causes of depression. We also have an extensive network of therapists to whom we refer to ensure a proper fit and lived experience.  Our psychiatric team offers expert medication management, evaluating and adjusting your treatment plan over time to ensure you’re getting the best results.

Advanced Treatment Options: Spravato® and Deep TMS

Spravato: Insurance-Covered Ketamine Therapy

For those with treatment-resistant depression, ketamine therapy has been of great interest. Spravato® (nasal esketamine) is derived from ketamine and offers rapid relief that traditional antidepressants often can't. Axis is one of the leading Spravato®-certified clinics in Colorado. These treatments can be life-changing for patients who have tried multiple medications without success. Moreover, it is covered by insurance, unlike ketamine infusions or IM Ketamine, and delivers similar results. Read our article on Esketamine vs Ketamine to under the differences and the clinical data.

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Deep TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Benefits of TMS include its long-lasting effects and approximately 1/3 of patients go into remission from depression and often titrate down from meds. It’s covered by most insurance plans and is ideal for people who prefer a drug-free option. Axis offers both traditional and Deep TMS technologies to suit your needs. For more information on the differences between standard TMS and Deep TMS, please read our article. 

Other Interventional Psychiatry Options

In rare cases, options like ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) may be recommended. While not offered at Axis, we coordinate care with trusted local providers when this level of treatment is needed.

Why Boulder Residents Choose Axis for Depression Treatment

Most clinics treat symptoms. We provide treatment that also addresses the real-world challenges of understanding insurance, affordability, transportation, and work-life balance. Axis offers an integrated care model with therapy, psychiatric medication management, and advanced treatments under one roof. That means better results, fewer delays, and no referral runaround.

• Fast appointments (often within a week)
• Insurance accepted (including Medicaid, Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, United, Tricareand more)
• Real human support, before, during, and after treatment
• Award-winning care recognized by ColoradoBiz, Best of Mile High™, and Channel 9 news
• More than a meds approach through social prescribing, nutritional psychiatry, or lifestyle coaching and TMS
• Commitment to the community and destigmatizing mental health with over $400K delivered in pro bono mental health care to those in need 
• Pro bono first responders program
• Can coordinate care with CU Boulder CAPS program

Who Are Our Prescribers At Axis Integrated Mental Health? 

At Axis Integrated Mental Health, our psychiatric team is composed of compassionate, highly skilled providers who take time to understand each individual’s needs. Meet a few of our prescribers:

Ben Egbers, PMHNP

Ben is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with a strong background in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. With clinical experience at one of Minnesota’s largest psychiatric hospitals and a compassionate, patient-first philosophy, Ben specializes in helping people navigate complex diagnoses like treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder. His also specializes in helping adults recover from substance abuse and stay on the path to sobriety after stepping down care from in patient, PHP or IOP programs. He also sees children 5 years old and up. His calm presence and collaborative style make him a trusted partner for individuals exploring advanced treatments like TMS and Spravato®. 

Shannon Mostafiz, PMHNP

Shannon combines her clinical expertise with a deeply intuitive, patient-centered approach. She brings years of experience in crisis stabilization, outpatient psychiatry, and harm-reduction-based care. Her passion lies in guiding patients who have felt stuck or failed by previous treatments, and she excels at building trust quickly. She was previously a founder of consciousness-based retreats, worked at Mindbloom and received her degree from Hunter College. Shannon is a strong advocate for integrated care, combining medication management with meditation, therapy, lifestyle changes, and advanced interventions.

Sarah McLaughlin, PMHNP

Sarah’s background includes work in both emergency and outpatient psychiatric care, giving her a sharp ability to triage complex cases while staying grounded in empathy. She takes a holistic approach, often weaving in mindfulness and patient education to help individuals feel empowered in their healing. Sarah is especially skilled at supporting those new to psychiatric care and navigating their first experience with medication or interventional therapies. She is known for her calm, open communication style. Prior to working at Axis, she was a nurse at Ketamine Wellness Center and Eating Recovery Center.

Selina Church, PMHNP

Selina is a trauma-informed prescriber with extensive experience working with individuals facing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Before joining Axis, she provided care in high-acuity inpatient settings and developed a reputation for her ability to connect with patients who feel misunderstood or overlooked. Her specialties include managing chronic depression, anxiety, and PTSD (and complex PTSD) with a focus on restoring hope and emotional safety. 

How to Get Started with Axis

Booking your first appointment is easy. You can self-refer—no need to wait for another doctor to send you. Our intake team helps you understand your insurance benefits and what to expect in your first psychiatric evaluation. We serve Boulder, Louisville, and surrounding areas.

Real Stories from Real Boulder Patients

Many of our patients come to us after years of trying everything else. At Axis, they find hope, clarity, and lasting change. Read real patient testimonials and see how our integrated model makes a difference.

How to Support Someone Living with Depression

Supporting a loved one with depression can be exhausting, confusing, and emotionally heavy. You may worry about saying the wrong thing or feel helpless watching someone you care about struggle. Caregivers for people experiencing depression need to know that their support isn’t just helpful—it can be life-changing. Research shows that strong social support improves treatment outcomes, reduces the risk of crisis, and helps people feel less alone in their struggle. Even small actions like checking in, listening without judgment, or encouraging professional help can make a powerful difference.

But caregivers need guidance too. That’s why we created a resource just for you: How to Support Someone with Depression.

Why We Were Nominated as the Best Depression Treatment Center in Boulder

Recently, we were nominated for the Best Mental Health Clinic, the Best Locally Owned Business and the Best Woman Owned Business for the People's Choice Award for the Boulder County Gold Program. There are many reasons why people have voted for us as the best mental health clinic in Boulder County, but at the heart of it, it's because we're not just a faceless clinic owned by a corporate entity, but we aim to be a part of the communities we serve and are willing to be innovative to give people the care they need. Rather than an industrialized medical experience, people come to us because we can empathize with the confusion of insurance companies, and being so depressed that you no longer have friends who can pick you up from a medical appointment. We can and do help with that. We have lived experience with depression and know and understand how to recover better than anyone else, and our patients prove it. 

Book online now! 

FAQs

1. What do patients say about Axis Integrated Mental Health?
Patients consistently describe Axis as compassionate, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to whole-person care. Many highlight the personalized attention they receive, the nonjudgmental atmosphere, and the fast-acting relief from treatments like Spravato and TMS. Several reviews mention that Axis helped them when nothing else worked and that they felt truly seen and supported by the clinical team. You can learn more by reading or watching the videos on our patient stories page. 

2. How many ketamine treatments are needed for depression?
Most patients start with an induction phase of 6 to 8 ketamine or Spravato treatments over 3 to 4 weeks, followed by a tapering phase based on symptom response. Maintenance sessions may be recommended monthly or as needed. At Axis, we personalize treatment plans based on your response, diagnosis, and insurance coverage to ensure you get the best outcome.

3. What is the best treatment for depression and anxiety?
The most effective treatment depends on the individual. For some, a combination of medication and therapy works well. For others, advanced treatments like TMS, Spravato, or integrative psychiatry are more effective, especially in cases of treatment-resistant depression or chronic anxiety. Axis offers a comprehensive approach that blends evidence-based psychiatry with lifestyle support and alternative options.

4. How far are you from Pearl Street?
Our Louisville office is approximately 15 minutes from Pearl Street in Boulder. It's a quick drive, easily accessible via Highway 36 or South Boulder Road. We also offer telehealth appointments for those who prefer to receive care from home.

5. Can you work with CU Boulder CAPS program?
Yes. While Axis Integrated Mental Health is a private clinic, we frequently coordinate care with university services like CU Boulder CAPS. Whether you're seeking long-term psychiatric support, medication management, or an alternative treatment not available through campus, our team can provide supplemental care and collaborate with your CAPS provider upon request.