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We’re bending the system to drive superior outcomes.

Peer-reviewed science shows that kids, teens and young adults feel better after receiving care at Bend.

2 sessions

led to clinically significant symptom improvements in most members.

50% average

symptom reduction for members.

4 out of 5

caregivers report less stress within a month of their child's enrollment with Bend.

During the past TWO (2) WEEKS, how much (or how often) have you

Felt nervous, anxious, or scared?

None (0 days)

Slight (1-2 days)

Mild (3-7 days)

Moderate (8-11 days)

Severe (12-14 days)

Wait, how do you know if therapy is working?

In addition to live video sessions with Bend practitioners and skill building lessons in our interactive learning center, members complete monthly symptom assessments. These are 10-minute online Monthly
Check-ins completed by members (for those 18 to 25),  caregivers (for those with kids 12 and under) or caregivers and teens (for those with kids 13 and older).

For the clinicians and scientists out there: the assessments include validated measures like PROMIS, SNAP-IV, PHQ-9, and GAD-7. 

Just like taking your vital signs for physical health these clinically-validated assessments are the way behavioral health is measured. They are an important part of our care because they offer:

Caregivers and members the opportunity to reflect on how things are going

Input that helps practitioners update the individualized care plan for each member

Comparable, clinically-validated results and outcomes that scientists and experts can review

During the past TWO (2) WEEKS, how much (or how often) have you

Felt nervous, anxious, or scared?

None (0 days)

Slight (1-2 days)

Mild (3-7 days)

Moderate (8-11 days)

Severe (12-14 days)

Speaking of peer review…

Here are highlights from Bend’s recent peer-reviewed research:

For children and teens with elevated ADHD symptoms or oppositional behaviors, symptoms of ADHD or oppositional behaviors improved in 63% while in care with Bend.

Lawrence-Sidebottom et al., 2023

Most members with symptoms of anxiety and depression experience improvement after just 2 coaching sessions. And participating in at least 6 sessions showed stable improvements in symptoms.

Lawrence-Sidebottom et al., 2023

For children and teens with elevated anxiety or depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms decreased in 73% and depressive symptoms decreased in 73% while in care with Bend.

Lawrence-Sidebottom et al., 2023

Caregiver sleep problems and parental stress significantly improve for caregivers of children and teens in care with Bend.

Huffman et al., 2023

For members with elevated anxiety or depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms decreased in 73% and depressive symptoms decreased in 73% while in care with Bend.

Lawrence-Sidebottom et al., 2023

67% of Bend members and caregivers felt the skills they have learned in sessions have helped them manage their issues(s).

Huffman et al., 2023

77% of caregivers experience improvements in sleep and 73% experience improvements in stress after care was initiated for their kids.

Huffman et al., 2023

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Mom online with teen girl

So who needs behavioral health support?

The truth is, we all need behavioral or mental health support at one point or another. That’s why Bend’s care covers the broadest spectrum - from preventive coaching through severe mental illness or substance use.

The average of youth receiving care at Bend is 10.8 years old (and ranges from 1 to 25)

73% of children and 84% of Teens come to Bend with Moderate to Severe Symptoms

The average Age of a Bend Member presenting with high risk (such as suicidal ideation) is 12.5 years

Bibliography

Using Digital Measurement–Based Care for the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents: Observational Retrospective Analysis of Bend Health Data. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2023;6:e46154

Using Digital Measurement–Based Care to Address Symptoms of Inattention, Hyperactivity, and Opposition in Youth: Retrospective Analysis of Bend Health. JMIR Form Res 2023;7:e46578

Satisfaction, Perceived Usefulness, and Therapeutic Alliance as Correlates of Participant Engagement in a Pediatric Digital Mental Health Intervention:  Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. JMIR Form Res 2023;7:e49384

Sleep problems and parental stress among caregivers of children and adolescents enrolled in a digital mental health intervention. Front Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023; 2:1265095

Exploring the Number of Web-Based Behavioral Health Coaching Sessions Associated With Symptom Improvement in Youth: Observational Retrospective Analysis. JMIR Form Res 2023;7:e52804

Improvements in Adolescents’ Disordered Eating Behaviors in a Collaborative Care Digital Mental Health Intervention: Retrospective Observational Study. JMIR Form Res 2024;8:e54253

Rates of Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress in a Pediatric Digital Mental Health Intervention: Retrospective Analysis of Associations With Anxiety and Depressive Symptom Improvement Over Time. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2024;7:e55560

Improvements in sleep problems and their associations with mental health symptoms: A study of children and adolescents participating in a digital mental health intervention. Digital Health. 2024;10:20552076241249928

Using a Digital Mental Health Intervention for Crisis Support and Mental Health Care Among Children and Adolescents With Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors: Retrospective Study. JMIR Form Res 2024;8:e54816

Want to collaborate?

Complete the form below and a Bend Health representative will contact you.







Frequently Asked Questions

Is virtual therapy as effective as
in-person therapy?

Yes! Many research studies (see here, here, here, or here) have confirmed that virtual mental health care based on video- and chat-based interactions with practitioners is as effective as traditional in-person care (while also being more cost-effective, easier to access, and less stigmatized than in-person care).

Can a strong relationship be developed with a coach or therapist even when participating in virtual care?

Yes! Therapeutic alliance–a fancy term for the relationship between clients and their mental health practitioner–is typically the same between virtual and in-person platforms, indicating that members can still have a trusting and positive relationship with their coach or therapist when they interact virtually. 

At Bend, our coaches and therapists work hard to make sure you feel understood and cared for. In a study of Bend Health members published earlier this year, we found that nearly 9 out of 10 surveyed members said they felt understood by their Bend Health care team. 

What do “measurement-based” and “evidence-based” mean? Why are they important?

Measurement-based care is a widely-used clinical practice that facilitates patient-centered mental health care. At Bend, we use measurement-based care to ensure we are delivering the highest quality of care that is optimized for each member. It involves:

  • Regular (monthly) assessment of members’ mental health outcomes throughout their involvement in care. 
  • Sharing feedback on members’ progress with their family and care team in a regular and timely manner. 
  • Using members’ data, paired with the input of the care team and involved caregiver(s), to shape the members’ ongoing care (such as, involvement in specific care programs, frequency of sessions, coaching versus therapy, etc.). 

At Bend, all of our care programs and clinical practices (including measurement-based care) are evidence-based, which means that they are supported by the best available scientific evidence. Examples of the evidence-based practices we use in our care programs are cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation, parent management training, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.

Why does Bend require monthly symptom assessments? And how does Bend use my data?

You may notice that we ask you pretty regularly (monthly, to be exact) to tell us about you or your child’s symptoms. This is because mental health symptoms can change quickly and often, and these changes can be difficult for mental health practitioners to notice using face-to-face interactions alone. 

This is why we use measurement-based care (see above) and regular symptom assessments!

With monthly symptom assessments, we can measure progress in real time, while also keeping your care team up to date. We also use the data from these symptom assessments to make adjustments to your care plan that maximizes the effectiveness and efficiency of the mental health care provided to you at Bend.

How quickly can I expect to see improvements?

Although every child is different, and many factors impact how quickly someone will respond to care, our research indicates that members with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression show stable decreases in their symptoms after six coaching sessions.

We’ve also found that the majority of members who participate in our care programs for anxiety, depression, and ADHD show improvements within the time it takes to complete a care program, which is normally three months

What benefits might I (a parent or caregiver) experience while my child participates in care Bend? 

Our recent studies show that caregivers report significant decreases in their stress, sleep problems, workplace burnout, and absenteeism after enrolling their children in Bend.

What kinds of things can I do to support my child as they participate in mental health care?

Parents play a hugely important role in helping their kids and teens seek mental health care. In a study of 15-17 year olds participating in mental health services, more than half reported that their family was the major influence in their decision to seek help.

As a parent, there are a few simple but crucial things you can do to help your child access and get the most out of mental health services. These include: 

  • Making yourself available to your child 
  • Maintaining open communication with your child
  • Understanding that your child’s difficulties are serious enough to warrant the help and guidance of a mental health professional
  • Voicing your concerns to your child and your child’s mental health care team

These points are based on the work of Ryan et al. (2015), Hassett et al. (2018), and Logan & King (2001).

Where do Bend’s symptom assessments come from?

Bend Health uses existing clinically validated assessments to measure your child’s symptoms at enrollment and throughout care. A “clinically validated” assessment is one that consistently and reliably measures the symptom we want it to measure, according to scientific research studies. For example, we assess teens’ anxiety symptoms at Bend using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) assessment because a lot of research shows that it is accurate and consistent for use among this age group.

Can I track symptom progress?

Yes! While in care, Bend monitors symptoms over time using clinically validated symptom assessments that you and/or your child complete (based on your child’s age and symptoms). By completing these monthly symptom assessments, you provide your care team and yourself with valuable information about month-to-month changes in mental health. 

You can easily access and track symptom developments in your profile on the Bend member app.

Why does Bend assess other aspects of a member’s health (such as asthma)?

Mental and physical health problems are typically treated separately, but in reality, they are closely related. In fact, issues in one domain often lead to issues in the other. 

This is why at Bend we aim to provide holistic care that is informed by both mental and physical health.

What is neuropsychological testing? How is digital neuropsychological testing different from in-person testing?

Neuropsychological testing is used to measure aspects of cognitive functioning, such as learning, memory, attention, and reading. 

Digital neuropsychological testing has been used for decades to help parents and kids identify issues such as ADHD and learning disabilities. Although digital and in-person tests typically measure the same types of cognitive function, research shows that digital tests are actually better than in-person tests in some ways. For example, they are more cost- and time-efficient and less prone to human error. 

Importantly, digital neuropsychological testing can be far more accessible than in-person neuropsychological testing. At Bend, our trained neuropsychologists are able to see you for a testing appointment within a matter of days, compared to in-person providers whose waitlists may last for several months.

What are the differences between coaching and therapy? 

Bend’s services are facilitated by both mental health coaches and therapists, depending on members’ symptom severity and care program. 

Members have the option to participate in coaching only, coaching + therapy, and coaching + therapy + psychiatry care programs. Members might be directed to another care program as their symptoms change throughout care–for example, a member in the coaching + therapy program might be directed to the coaching only program when their symptoms show improvement.

Mental health coaching focuses on how to achieve goals. Coaches focus on changing behavior, developing practical skills, and strengthening self-efficacy and autonomy. 

Therapy focuses on the why of symptoms and behaviors, utilizing clinical frameworks that incorporate past experiences and trauma. Therapists can provide clinical diagnoses and often collaborate with our mental health coaches to offer an additional level of care and supervision. 

While both mental health coaches and therapists work with members who show low to moderate symptom severity, therapists also work with members who show acute symptom severity.