Today we’d like to introduce you to Liesl Perez
Hi Liesl, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When my daughter was fairly young, she was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. When trying to get my daughter the help that she needs, I found that the whole system was just so convoluted and weird, I figured there’s got to be a better way than just going to a pediatrician. Pediatricians are great for your normal run-of-the-mill medical problems, but they’re not specialists in mental health. Seventy-nine percent of the antidepressants prescribed in the United States are prescribed by primary care physicians. In a state like Colorado which is #50 for the prevalence of Mental Illness (Mental Health America 2024), that means that non-specialized physicians are forced to combat this extreme crisis without the advanced tools and the equipment they need to combat this crisis.
Antidepressants aren’t the only answer. There’s been so much new research that’s come out and people aren’t always getting the best care they could be. Recent studies, including the STAR*D trial, show that antidepressants only actually work in 35% of the people who take them. It’s a fairly low success rate. People are trying to get help for their mental health issues, and they’re not finding very limited answers. Things like psychotherapy, social prescribing, the esketamine nasal spray and TMS make a difference in terms of people having long-term sustainable mental health recovery, and yet, literally no doctor offers this. It’s up to the patient to find these solutions for themselves.
This is why we founded Axis Integrated Mental Health which in 2024 has been recognized as a Colorado Company to Watch in 2024, Best of Mile High™ Mental Wellness award, and ColoradoBiz Magazine’s Top Startup of the Year. We provide integrative, comprehensive outpatient psychiatric and mental health care and therapy to adults and children over 5 at our offices in Westminster, Louisville, and Aurora, Colorado or via telehealth. Our experienced team of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and therapists at Axis specializes in diagnosing and treating a broad range of psychiatric disorders and emotional issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, burnout, grief, and trauma. But we are known for being the best in the business for outpatient care for treatment-resistant depression and long Covid Depression.
Although Axis Integrated Mental Health employs traditional methods, including medication management and talk therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and couples therapy, our motto is “mental health is more than meds”. Alternative treatments that are often covered by insurance, such as ketamine therapy have delivered breakthroughs where traditional meds have not. For patients seeking drug-free treatments, the clinic emphasizes de-prescribing, social prescribing, and provides services like nutritional psychiatry coaching, talk therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Axis Integrated Mental Health also specializes in helping patients get paid mental health leave to give them the time and space to truly regain their health. Axis is the only clinic in Colorado offering TMS to Medicaid patients, enhancing accessibility for underserved populations. They also focus on overcoming the barriers to accessing mental health care through their innovative transportation program, the only program in the state offering free transportation to patients in need.
Whether individuals are looking for a depression clinic or broader mental health support, Axis also offers specialized services, including student mental health care and step-down care. The team works directly with insurance companies to reduce the burden of mental health costs, allowing patients to focus on healing without financial stress. For customized, award-winning holistic mental health care, individuals can contact their nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office or use the online booking system to schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment at their convenience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It can be challenging for a stage 2 company like ours to find funding. We’re not in survival phase but in growth phase. We tried to apply for traditional financing but because we didn’t have enough history, we were turned down despite having positive cash-flow and nearly 500% growth.
It’s also been a struggle to find the right clinicians to work at our clinic. We have a very different view on psychiatry and mental health than what traditional clinicians might have been trained in 20 years ago. Empathy, holistic approaches, and newer treatments like Spravato™ and TMS can be uncomfortable for clinicians merely trained to prescribe antidepressants. Many clinicians start patients on meds but have never even considered a deprescribing plan, whereas, for us, that’s always the goal. As a mission-driven organization, it matters to us that our clinicians are as invested in improving mental health care for all Coloradans, and not just keeping their patient rosters full. So it can be a challenge to find the right blend of clinical skills along with a drive to solve bigger problems across the board for the mental health system our patients find themselves in. We admit, our standards are very high.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Axis Integrated Mental Health?
One of the things we are proudest of is the launch of the 266k Project, which is pooling together mental health resources across Colorado to help stop 266K Coloradans from dying by suicide. This campaign has a free directory of resources beyond just traditional therapists and psychiatrists (e.g. mental health influencers, cleaners to help hoarders sort out their life, hairstylists that specialize in combing out matted hair rather than shaving it, etc). This is enabling everyone to join the fight for mental health and also, combining forces and creating a network effect to boost destigmatization efforts. The 266K Project also boosts and empowers other clinics to be successful by sharing our tools, resources, and strategies through our free educational Practice Power Workshops.
Here is some of the recent press we’ve received:
Pro Bono Program:
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-mental-health-clinic-pro-bono-program/
266K Project:
Axis Integrated Mental Health, recognized as a Colorado Company to Watch 2024 and winner of the Best of Mile High™ Mental Wellness award, provides exceptional, comprehensive outpatient psychiatric care and therapy to adults and children over 5 at its offices in Westminster, Louisville, and Aurora, Colorado or via telehealth. With additional accolades including the ColoradoBiz Top Startup 2024, ColoradoBiz Top Growth Award for Top 100 Woman-Owned Business, and ColoradoBiz Top Family-Owned Companies, Axis has established itself as a premier mental health clinic, known for delivering innovative treatments with empathy and compassion and giving back more than $400K to the communities they serve.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Denver is a city that thrives on diversity—not just in its people but in its approaches to life. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a creative entrepreneur, or someone seeking community, Denver welcomes all walks of life with open arms. This inclusivity isn’t just a cultural perk; it’s essential for mental health. In a world where choices feel increasingly limited, Denver stands out as a place where people can find the lifestyle, support, and opportunities that fit them best. From innovative mental health treatments to a booming economy that ranked us 13th in growth among U.S. cities, Denver proves that when a city embraces all perspectives, it doesn’t just grow—it flourishes.
Pricing:
- New Patient Psychiatric Intake: $300
- New Patient Therapy Intake: $180
- TMS and Esketamine covered by insurance
- Insurance Accepted: Aetna, Anthem, BCBS, Cigna, Medicaid, Cofinity, Optum UMR, United
Contact Info:
- Website: https://axismh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axis_mh/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axismh
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/axis-integrated-mental-health
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AxisIntegratedMentalHealth
