HOW TO FIND A THERAPIST IN DENVER/BOULDER

Denver and Boulder are frequently named among the top places to live and work in the United States. While we have beautiful open space, access to mountains and surrounded by natural beauty, that doesn’t mean we don’t experience overwhelm and stress. If you are looking for a new therapist, I would love to talk with you about the services I provide or help you find someone else who can help!

Here is a list of tips that I would give to a friend or family members considering therapy:

1. Browse the Internet:

Websites such as Psychology Today or Therapeasy are two websites people can browse for a local therapist. Make an inquiry with one therapist. If they do not have availability or are not a good fit, ask them to make a few recommendations of other colleagues.

2. Word of mouth:

Ask your friends, colleagues or even family members where they have gone for therapy or who they might recommend.

3. Licensure:

Click here to double-check that the therapist with whom you want to work is licensed in the state of Colorado (or in process of obtaining one). Licensed therapists have thousands of hours of schooling, training and are overseen/regulated by DORA. Although a therapist with a license does not guarantee they will be a good fit, it does mean that they likely will follow strict professional ethics and guidelines.

For example, I have a License of Clinical Social Work (LCSW). This means I have completed a 2-year Master of Social Work degree plus 3,360 supervised clinical hours post-grad. I also have a License of Addiction Counseling. I completed an additional 3,000 clinical hours during which time another professional with a LAC supervised me.

4. When you first reach out to a new therapist try to email and call by phone:

Many therapists do not have any type of administrative support and run their businesses alone. This means that calling back could take a while, whereas email might be quicker. You do not need to include a ton of info in your initial email inquiry. You can simply state: Hello- I am interested in starting therapy for (reason). I am in network with (insurance company). When could we schedule an initial consultation?

5. Request a free consultation before starting therapy.

Most therapists offer this to ensure that it is a good fit in terms of expertise, availability and geographic location.  The most important part of this consultation is that you can gauge how comfortable you feel talking with the therapist!

6. Inquire about types of licensure/specialties

When looking for a new therapist, think about what is a priority for you to address. You may be able to do some research and find out if there is a local therapist who specializes in treating your specific concerns. For example, my specialties include treating trauma, substance use disorders and anxiety. Some therapists specialize in treating other issues (i.e. OCD, ADHD, etc.) or work with certain populations (i.e. a specific age group).

7. Be clear about the difference between therapy and coaching.

Remember that coaching is a great support for goal setting and developing greater self-awareness. However, coaching has its limitations if you have not already addressed underlying mental health issues and symptoms.

8.  Find out if sessions are offered via telehealth or in person.

Due to the pandemic, more therapists than ever are offering an option to be seen virtually from the comfort of your own home. With that being said, you may prefer to be seen in person. Some therapists are offering one or both options at this time. Think about what may feel best for you and your situation.

I hope this helps you find the right therapist in the Denver/Boulder area. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at 720-515-5377 for a free 15 minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with stress or anxiety, you can read more about how I can help here.