Therapy (General Mental Health) - General Information

Program Manual VP Card

Description:

Vida's Therapy Program is largely based on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) techniques and principles. CBT has been widely studied as an effective treatment intervention for depression and anxiety. 

Engage with therapy members using a structured program to allow for consistent member engagement, best clinical practices, and measurable clinical outcomes that promote the Vida health mission to improve overall health for our members.

Core principles:

Vida’s Therapy Program focuses on teaching skills to address and manage symptoms of stress, depression, or anxiety. The approximate duration of the program is on average 12 weekly sessions (“intensive period”) and then up to 6 monthly booster sessions to support maintenance. The transition to maintenance occurs when the member no longer meets the diagnostic criteria for mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression.

Type of Provider for this Program:

Therapist

Eligibility:

There are 3 ways a Vida member will match to the Therapy Program:

1. Onboarding in the app and meeting inclusion criteria
2. Referral from health coaching (supported by Care Navigation (CN) team)
3. Referral from CN

Matching from onboarding:

To match the program, members select “Managing Stress and improving mental wellness” as their health goal during onboarding and complete the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder measure (GAD-7). If their scores on these measures are in the mild to moderate range, they will match to a therapist licensed in their state.

Matching from health coaching:

Health coaches refer members to therapy when they:

• Identify warning signs or symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression in members
• Member expresses interest in therapy services.

Coaches complete a CN referral form. Prior to referring a member to the Therapy Program, the CN will:

• Consult with the coach
• Complete a screening with the member. 

Matching from CN referral:

Members may be matched to a CN if:

• PHQ-8 score is 20+ or GAD score is 15+
• Eligible for Integrated Care Pathway 
• No therapist availability in a state 

CN will:

• Complete a screening with the member.
• Add a member to Therapy Program 

IMPORTANT: A referral into the Therapy Program does not mean that the program is an appropriate fit for the member’s needs. The onboarding PHQ-8/GAD-7 screenings and/or CN screening do not substitute for a biopsychosocial intake or ongoing assessment by a licensed therapist. As is a standard practice of care, therapists are responsible for continually assessing if the level of care offered by the program is appropriate for their member’s needs. If at any time a member needs a higher level of care, follow Protocol for Early Termination and Referral Out.

Program Exclusion Criteria:

The target population is adults aged 18 years and older. The Therapy Program is designed to support mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. The program and/or teletherapy is not suitable for all mental health disorders or health conditions. If a member presents with any of the following criteria and would most likely benefit from an alternative source of care, please follow the Protocol for Early Termination and Referral Out.

Exclusion Criteria:   

• Endorses active suicidal ideation (SI) or homicidal ideation (HI)
• SI/HI risk assessed during intake (this question is not asked in the app PHQ-8)
• PHQ >= 20 and / or GAD >= 18 on most recent assessment, within 6 months
• Member displays symptoms potentially inappropriate for video therapy based PHQ/GAD₂ or other assessments₃
• Concern for the immediate threat to self or others → emergency protocol
• Cognitive impairment or developmental disability (including memory, processing, comprehension, or language issues) that create enough difficulty for the member to not be able to effectively utilize the app’s program content, Chat feature, or video session functionality, and/or the program is not the best means for effective treatment of their condition. 
• Untreated/active bipolar disorder, psychotic d/o’s, or psychosis symptoms 
• Substance dependence disorders
• Active post-traumatic stress 
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Anorexia or Bulimia
• Endorses high-risk behaviors
• Violates Vida Health’s community standards or terms and conditions
• Under the age of 18

IMPORTANT: Being on medication does NOT disqualify an individual from participating, provided that they meet present with mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression and do not meet any exclusion criteria listed above. Therapists will use their discernment and clinical judgment to determine if the program is an appropriate level of care and match for the member’s needs.

Goal(s):

The overarching goal of Vida’s Therapy Program is to help members build skills to better manage negative automatic thoughts and improve symptoms of stress, depression, and/or anxiety.

To reduce the member's PHQ/GAD score by 50%

Program Outcome Measure:

The program outcome goal is for Vida members to no longer meet diagnostic criteria for mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression.

FAQ:

Question 1: Does Vida's Therapy Program accommodate court-mandated therapy?

Answer: All of our Therapists are well versed in family Systems Theory (like therapy 101), but we work from a Cognitive Behavior Theory perspective. We can't do court-mandated therapy. In fact, the member should consult the court about therapy programs/therapists they find acceptable; he needs to follow their instructions very specifically to satisfy the judge. We don't provide any letters or complete any paperwork for outside agencies (no FMLA, ADA, court-ordered paperwork, custody depositions, etc.), and we don't provide court services.

Internal Team: For more detailed information about the Therapy Program, see the Therapy Program Manual.