This guide shows you how to find a therapist in Colorado, even with no insurance or very little money. It covers who can use the title, how to check a license, what sessions cost and what Health First Colorado pays for. It also lists low-cost clinics and crisis lines. Café Siller does not list or recommend individual therapists. For the national picture, see our state-by-state therapist guide.
If you are in crisis right now. Call or text 988, at any hour. You can also chat at 988Colorado.com. In an emergency, call 911. More options are in the crisis section below.
How to find a therapist in Colorado, step by step
- Decide what you need. Individual therapy, couples or family work and addiction help each sit under a different license in Colorado.
- Check your cover. If you have Health First Colorado, go to the Medicaid steps below. If you have a private plan, call the number on your card. If you have neither, go to the free and low-cost section.
- With Medicaid, contact your regional organization (the group that manages behavioral health care for your area) or your primary care provider. Both can point you to a therapist who accepts Health First Colorado.
- With no insurance, call 1-844-CO-LIFTS (265-4387) to reach a care navigator, or search the free OwnPath Care Directory.
- Make a short list of three or four names. Check each license on the state lookup before you book.
- Send the same short message to all of them (a template is further down). Ask about fees and openings in the first message.
- Book the first session with whoever answers and fits. You can change later.
Therapist, counselor, psychologist: Who can treat you in Colorado
Colorado law says a psychologist, social worker, marriage and family therapist, counselor, psychotherapist or addiction counselor may only use the title they are licensed, certified or registered for. Each group has its own state board. All of them sit under the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations.
| Title | What it means | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Psychologist, Psychologist Candidate | Overseen by the State Board of Psychologist Examiners. A candidate is in the supervised tier before full license. | Psychology board |
| Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Professional Counselor Candidate | Overseen by the State Board of Professional Counselor Examiners. | Counselor board |
| Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Clinical Social Work Candidate | Overseen by the State Board of Social Work Examiners. | Social work board |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | Overseen by the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapist Examiners. | Marriage and family therapy board |
| Certified Addiction Technician, Certified Addiction Specialist, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Addiction Counselor Candidate | Colorado's addiction counseling titles. | Addiction counselor board |
| Unlicensed Psychotherapist | See the note below. | Unlicensed psychotherapy page |
Unlicensed Psychotherapists were called Registered Psychotherapists from 2016 until 2022. Since HB22-1307 the state no longer registers new ones, but people already registered can keep renewing. You may still meet one, so it is fine to ask which title a person holds.
How to check a therapist's license in Colorado
Every board links to the same state lookup. Use the Colorado license lookup to search by name. Check that the title matches what the therapist tells you. If you want to report a problem, the division has an online complaint form.
The lookup may ask you to pass a security check first. For help, call the Division of Professions and Occupations on 303-894-7800.
Online therapy in Colorado: Can you see a therapist from another state?
Where you sit during the session decides which license your therapist needs. If you are in Colorado, the therapist needs a Colorado credential or registration, wherever they are. There are three exceptions and shortcuts.
- State telehealth registration. Since January 1, 2026, mental health providers with an out-of-state credential can register with the Division to give telehealth to patients in Colorado (SB24-141). Colorado licensees do not need it.
- A short visit rule. An out-of-state licensed psychologist, marriage and family therapist, clinical social worker, counselor or addiction counselor may work in Colorado within their license scope for up to 20 days a year. They must tell you they are not licensed in Colorado.
- PSYPACT. Colorado is on the list of states with final PSYPACT legislation, which is the compact for psychologists. The Colorado psychology board links to the compact from its page.
Two other compacts are not working for Colorado yet. Colorado is a member of the Counseling Compact, but the compact is live only for licensees in Arizona, Minnesota and Ohio, so no privileges are issued for Colorado counselors yet. Colorado has also passed the Social Work Licensure Compact. Multistate social work licenses are not being issued anywhere yet, and the compact says setup takes 12 to 24 months. We did not find a confirmed compact for marriage and family therapists, so ask any out-of-state therapist how they are allowed to treat you in Colorado.
How much does therapy cost in Colorado?
One Denver practice says a 50-minute private session typically costs $120 to $250 or more. That comes from a practice blog, so treat it as a provider's estimate, not official data. LifeStance, a large provider chain, states that its self-pay range in Colorado is $138 to $590 a visit. That is one company's range, not a state average.
| Route | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Private practice, self-pay | $120 to $250 or more for 50 minutes in Denver (practice blog, 2025) |
| Large provider chain, self-pay | $138 to $590 a visit at LifeStance |
| University training clinic | CU Denver charges $10 to $50 a session, for up to 10 sessions |
| Other training clinics | Sliding scale based on income. Ask the clinic for the current fee. |
| Health First Colorado | No co-pays for behavioral health services through the regional organization |
| Private insurance | Varies by plan. Ask your plan for the co-pay. |
| Free state help line | Anyone in Colorado can call 1-844-CO-LIFTS, insured or not |
Does Health First Colorado cover therapy?
Health First Colorado is Colorado's Medicaid program. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing runs it. Colorado adopted the Medicaid expansion in 2014, so low-income adults without children can qualify.
For 2026, the income table lists adults aged 19 to 64 at up to $1,769 a month for a household of one, and $2,399 for two. The state site also warns that new federal rules will affect some adults aged 19 to 64. Use the Do you qualify? page for your own case.
Behavioral health cover includes individual and group therapy, medication management, case management, and crisis and residential care. You need a behavioral health diagnosis that the program covers. Other insurance is used first. Services through the regional organization carry no co-pays.
To find a therapist, go through your primary care provider or your regional organization. These numbers come from the state's regional organizations page.
- Colorado Access, 800-511-5010 (Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Douglas counties)
- Colorado Community Health Alliance, 855-627-4685 (Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, El Paso, Gilpin, Jefferson, Park and Teller counties)
- Elevate (Denver Health) Medicaid Choice, 855-281-2418
The Health First Colorado member contact center is 1-888-367-6557, on weekdays from 8 to 5. Some regional assignments changed on July 1, 2025, so check which organization covers you now. You can also use the Find a Doctor tool.
For children and teens, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) covers people aged 18 and under, and pregnant people under 260% of the federal poverty level, who do not qualify for Medicaid. It covers mental and behavioral health but excludes Pediatric Behavioral Therapy. See the CHP+ page.
Using private insurance: How to find a therapist in your network
In-network means the therapist has a contract with your plan, so you pay a co-pay instead of the full fee. Confirm that before you book.
- Call the number on your insurance card and ask for the behavioral health line.
- Ask for the co-pay for outpatient therapy and whether you need a referral.
- Ask for in-network therapists who are taking new clients. Write down the names.
- Call each therapist and ask if they are in network with your exact plan.
If your card says CO-DOI, your plan is regulated by the state. The Colorado Division of Insurance explains mental health parity and takes complaints on 303-894-7490 or 800-930-3745. Its email is DORA_Insurance@state.co.us. See the Division of Insurance mental health page.
Free and low-cost therapy in Colorado
University training clinics. Graduate students see clients under the supervision of licensed professionals. Ask each clinic about waitlists and fees.
- University of Denver Professional Psychology Clinic uses a sliding scale based on household income. It accepts Medicaid but not private insurance. The screening call line is 303-871-3626.
- CU Denver Student and Community Counseling Center charges $10 to $50 a session for up to 10 sessions. It takes no insurance and cannot see Medicaid or Medicare clients. It serves Colorado residents only, and also serves Denver Public Schools students and families.
- Colorado State University Psychological Services Center sets fees on a sliding scale by income and household size. It is in network with Medicaid and some regional organizations. Phone (970) 491-5212.
- CSU Family Resilience Center accepts Medicaid and offers sliding-scale fees.
- CU Boulder Raimy Psychology Clinic serves students, staff and the wider community. It says its fees are substantially reduced because of its training role. The page gives no dollar amounts, so ask the clinic.
The public system. Colorado runs its safety net through the Behavioral Health Administration. Regional groups called BHASOs work with a network of Colorado LIFTS providers to serve people who are uninsured or underinsured. Call 1-844-CO-LIFTS (265-4387) to reach a care navigator, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also search the OwnPath Care Directory. Both are open to anyone in Colorado.
Teens. A mental health professional in Colorado may provide psychotherapy to a minor aged 12 or older without a parent's consent. The minor must be seeking it knowingly and willingly, and it must be clinically indicated.
Why therapists don't call back, and what to send instead
A vague message is easy to leave until later. A short, specific one is easier to answer in a line. Send this to several therapists at once, and adjust it to fit you.
Hello, I am looking for a therapist in Colorado and found your name on a list. I am hoping to start weekly sessions in the next few weeks. I have Health First Colorado (or I pay privately, or I have no insurance). Do you have an opening, and what is your fee? If you are full, could you point me to someone who might have space? Thank you.
If the fee is too high, write back and ask about a lower-fee spot or a sliding scale. Asking is normal.
How to tell if a therapist is a good fit
Use the first call or session to ask a few things.
- How do you usually work with someone who has my kind of problem?
- What would the first few sessions look like?
- How do fees, cancellations and missed sessions work?
- How will we know whether it is helping?
Warning signs include a therapist who dismisses your concerns, will not explain their approach or pressures you to pay for many sessions in advance. A license that does not show up on the state lookup is also a red flag. It is normal to switch if the fit is wrong.
If anxiety is part of what brings you here, our articles on checking your body first when you feel anxious and why avoiding what scares you makes anxiety worse may help while you wait for a first appointment.
Crisis help in Colorado
- 988. Call, text, or chat at 988Colorado.com. It is free and open at all hours. Spanish text and chat are available.
- The old Colorado Crisis Services numbers. Since July 1, 2025, the old line 1-844-493-8255 and the text TALK to 38255 both connect to the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line.
- Walk-in centers. Walk-in centers in Metro Denver, the Northeast, the Southeast and the Western Slope see people who cannot pay. Examples are 4353 E. Colfax Ave, Denver 80220, 4643 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge 80033, and 1290 S. Potomac St, Aurora 80012. See the walk-in center page for the full list. Hours are not given there, so call 988 first if you are unsure.
- Emergency. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
In short
- Check any therapist on the state license lookup before you book.
- Health First Colorado covers therapy with a covered diagnosis.
- Training clinics and 1-844-CO-LIFTS are the main routes with no insurance.
- A therapist outside Colorado needs Colorado permission to treat you.
- In a crisis, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources
- Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations Homepage, https://dpo.colorado.gov/
- Colorado Psychology Homepage, https://dpo.colorado.gov/Psychology
- Colorado Professional Counselor Homepage, https://dpo.colorado.gov/ProfessionalCounselor
- Colorado Social Work Homepage, https://dpo.colorado.gov/SocialWork
- Colorado Marriage and Family Therapy Homepage, https://dpo.colorado.gov/MarriageFamilyTherapy
- Colorado Addiction Counselor Homepage, https://dpo.colorado.gov/AddictionCounselor
- Colorado Unlicensed Psychotherapy Homepage, https://dpo.colorado.gov/UnlicensedPsychotherapy
- C.R.S. 12-245-218 - Title use restrictions, https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_12-245-218
- C.R.S. 12-245-217 - Scope of article exemptions, https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_12-245-217
- C.R.S. 12-245-203.5 - Minors, https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_12-245-203.5
- Colorado DPO Out-of-State Telehealth Providers FAQ's, https://dpo.colorado.gov/CustomerService/TelehealthFAQ
- Final PSYPACT Legislation - Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), https://psypact.gov/page/statelegislation
- Compact Map - Counseling Compact, https://counselingcompact.org/map/
- Compact Jurisdictions - Social Work Licensure Compact, https://swcompact.org/compact-jurisdictions/
- Social Work Licensure Compact, https://swcompact.org/
- Cost of Therapy in Denver: A Transparent Breakdown (2025), https://mydenvertherapy.com/how-much-does-therapy-actually-cost-in-denver-a-transparent-breakdown-2025/
- Find a Therapist, Psychiatrist or Psychologist That Accepts Your Insurance in Colorado, https://lifestance.com/insurance/co/humana/
- Status of State Action on the Medicaid Expansion Decision | KFF State Health Facts, https://www.kff.org/medicaid/state-indicator/state-activity-around-expanding-medicaid-under-the-affordable-care-act/
- Do you qualify? - Health First Colorado, https://www.healthfirstcolorado.gov/apply-now/do-you-qualify/
- Health First Colorado - Colorado's Medicaid Program, https://www.healthfirstcolorado.gov/
- Find a Doctor - Health First Colorado, https://www.healthfirstcolorado.gov/find-doctors/
- Behavioral Health Services | Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, https://hcpf.colorado.gov/behavioral-health-services
- Health First Colorado Regional Organizations, https://hcpf.colorado.gov/health-first-colorado-regional-organizations
- Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) | Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, https://hcpf.colorado.gov/child-health-plan-plus
- Mental / Behavioral Health and Insurance | DORA - Division of Insurance, https://doi.colorado.gov/insurance-products/health-insurance/consumer-resources/mental/behavioral-health-and-insurance
- Professional Psychology Clinic, https://psychology.du.edu/ppc
- community members, CU Denver Student and Community Counseling Center, https://www.ucdenver.edu/counseling-center/community-members
- PSC - Department of Psychology | CSU, https://psychology.colostate.edu/psc/
- Family Resilience Center, https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/cfct/
- Raimy Clinic | Psychology and Neuroscience Clinical Psychology, https://www.colorado.edu/clinicalpsychology/raimy-clinic
- Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations | Behavioral Health Administration, https://bha.colorado.gov/for-individuals-and-families/behavioral-health-administrative-service-organizations
- Free and low-cost help | Behavioral Health Administration, https://bha.colorado.gov/for-individuals-and-families/free-and-low-cost-help-bha-community-services
- Get help: Mental health, drugs, or alcohol | Behavioral Health Administration, https://bha.colorado.gov/help/get-help-mental-health-drugs-or-alcohol
- Colorado Mental Health Line | 988, https://988colorado.com/
- Colorado Crisis Services - 988 Colorado Mental Health Line, https://988colorado.com/colorado-crisis-services
- Walk-In Center | Colorado Mental Health Line | 988, https://988colorado.com/en/walk-in-centers
- 988 Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/