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The Ariel Difference
Types of Service
Supports
Locations
Getting Started
FAQs

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The Ariel Difference  |  Types of Service  |  Supports  |  Locations  |  Getting Started  |  FAQs

What are IDD Adult Therapy Services?

In addition to our child and family therapy services, Ariel also provides individual, family, and group therapy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These services are tailored to support people navigating mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and more—especially when these occur alongside IDD. Depending on a person’s needs and goals, therapy may include traditional talk therapy or evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and others.

The Ariel Difference

Our therapy services are rooted in trauma-informed care, family systems thinking, and a deep understanding of the unique experiences adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face. We take a compassionate, collaborative approach that looks at the whole person—their mental health, relationships, and overall wellbeing. Our team is experienced in supporting people with co-occurring conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), parent/child relational challenges, and more. We use evidence-based techniques and adapt them to each individual’s needs. At Ariel, we care deeply about the people we serve, and our goal is not only to reduce symptoms—but to help adults with IDD build meaningful, thriving lives.

Types of IDD Adult Therapy Services

We have a variety of offerings tailored to meet different needs of adults with IDD, also known as "Members" in the Medicaid system. Members may participate in one or any combination of these therapy types based on their needs and goals:

  • Individual Therapy | One-on-one sessions where clients work privately with a therapist to address mental health concerns, develop coping strategies, and work toward individual goals. This format provides a safe, confidential space for deep exploration and personalized support.

  • Family Therapy | Sessions that bring family members together to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. The focus is on addressing challenges that affect the entire family system while building understanding and connection among all members.

  • Group Therapy | Small group sessions where individuals with similar experiences meet regularly to share, learn, and grow together. Led by a trained therapist, these sessions offer peer support, shared learning, and the knowledge that no one is alone in their journey.

Additionally, we have staff that are trained and specialize in the following modalities:

  • IDD-Specific Therapy, Evidence-Based | Specialized interventions designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, addressing unique cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs through adapted techniques that improve mental health and quality of life.
  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Evidence-Based | Helps individuals manage intense emotions, reduce self-harm behaviors, and improve relationships through skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Particularly effective for those experiencing depression, impulsivity, or suicidal thoughts. Watch a quick overview.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Evidence-Based | Focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to mental health challenges. Clients learn practical problem-solving skills, build self-confidence, and develop strategies to cope with difficult situations in the present.
  • Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Evidence-Based | Adapts CBT specifically to help individuals and their caregivers overcome trauma-related symptoms. This approach reduces negative emotional and behavioral responses following traumatic experiences through gradual, supportive processing.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Evidence-Based | Uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or pulsing devices) while recalling distressing memories to facilitate emotional healing. Originally developed for trauma, EMDR helps the brain reprocess difficult experiences in a less distressing way.
  • Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Evidence-Based | Leverages play as the primary medium for expression and healing, allowing children to explore emotions and develop coping skills at their own pace. The therapist creates a safe, accepting environment where the child leads and the therapist follows.
  • High-Intensity Support Therapy, Service Delivery Model | Provides brief, intensive treatment for individuals with complex mental health needs. Includes flexible support options such as in-home and community-based sessions, offering concentrated intervention when traditional weekly therapy isn't sufficient.

Where we provide IDD Adult Therapy Services

At this time, Therapy Services are primarily provided out of our regional headquarters (HQ) in Grand Junction, offering mostly in-person services. Please give us a call at (970) 245-1616 or reach out via our Contact Form to confirm availability, to learn about alternative options or to ask any questions.

How to get started with IDD Adult Therapy Services

It's as simple as giving us a call. We accept Medicaid and offer options for self-referred or private-pay participants. If you’re unsure about what payment options apply to you, reach out to your case manager (if already engaged with Ariel’s services) or reach out at (970) 245-1616.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you don’t find what you’re looking for below, feel free to ask your question via our Contact Form.

Yes, unfortunately given the demand for services, we often have a waitlist. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth signing up for Therapy Services! We encourage you to get in touch to learn what scheduling availability is like for your specific needs. If we’re not able to accommodate you on a timeline that works for you, we won’t leave you hanging—we’ll share other resources and providers to support your mental health and wellbeing.

If you’re in Mesa County or Western Colorado, community providers we often refer to are:

Counseling and Education Center (CEC)
https://www.cecwecare.org/counseling/
(970) 243-9539

Hilltop Community Resources
https://htop.org/therapy
(970) 244-0562

Health Solutions West
https://www.healthsolutionswest.org/
(877) 603-7045

 

We primarily accept Medicaid, though we may be able to offer private-pay options.

If you need to apply for Medicaid, or learn more about eligibility for the program, visit:

https://peak.my.site.com/peak/s/peak-landing-page?language=en_US

Yes. During our initial conversation, we’ll ask you about your preferences so we can best match you to a therapist.

During our initial conversation to set-up services, our team will inquire about your scheduling availability. Knowing the multiple benefits of keeping a consistent schedule (including its relation to more positive outcomes), we attempt to find a time that will work for both you and your therapist consistently. Then, there’s not much need to “schedule” moving forward, you both just know that you’re down for 4 p.m. on Thursdays, for example.

Of course, there are occasions when things need to be rescheduled due to illness or other commitments. When that happens, you will create an alternate plan with your therapist.

Simple Practice is our online patient portal for paperwork, messaging and other account management. Once you engage in services, you may receive information about how to log-in and use this system. If you have additional questions, please ask your therapist for more information.

We provide specialized therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Processing (EMDR). Each therapy is tailored to address the participant’s unique needs and challenges, ensuring compassionate and effective care.

Yes to all. We see many people who are experiencing anxiety and depression, and those who have experienced a variety of types and intensities of trauma. Our therapists are trained for and in tune with how to help our patients navigate whatever mental health challenges they may be facing so they can improve their quality of life.

By and large, patients feel better overall, have more skills for coping with life and its challenges, experience an improved connection in and quantity of relationships, and generally feel more hopeful. People typically begin to engage with their community more, find daily living and self-care tasks to be easier and more enjoyable.

It depends. For people working through more acute challenges (e.g., recent job loss, health diagnosis, relationship issues), people may spend between three and six months, and even up to 12 months, in therapy. For more complex needs (e.g., co-occurring mental health diagnosis, significant history of trauma, justice system involvement), spending one to two years in therapy, or more, isn’t unreasonable.

It’s really based on what you’re experiencing or have experienced, matched with your willingness to engage with the process and readiness to change.

Remote services are not our go-to for therapy. We do offer it on need-based availability in cases of illness, lack of access for our rural communities, or specific diagnoses (e.g., agoraphobia).

All combined, our therapists represent decades worth of therapeutic experience and excellence. We are incredibly proud of our therapy team and the vast amount and depth expertise (education and lived experience) they bring and continue to develop with ongoing training.

Fortunately, there are an increasing number of resources and options to support mental health and wellbeing.
If you are currently experiencing thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or if in more immediate crisis, please call emergency services at 911. For a comprehensive list of suicide, loss survivor, mental health and related resources, please visit https://suicidepreventionmc.org/resources/.

If you are experiencing other challenges, such as food insecurity, housing instability, job loss, etc., we recommend connecting with other community providers to help address these issues as well. Learn more at https://www.211colorado.org/ (Colorado) or https://wc211.org/ (Western Slope).

>> Unless otherwise noted, all images and names represent real Members but actual images and names have not been used for privacy reasons. <<