frequently asked questions
Is seeing a therapist right for me?
Choosing to start therapy is personal and unique to everyone. If you're feeling stuck and want the support of a skilled and caring professional, then therapy may be a wonderful option. Anyone can benefit from therapy and your struggles are valid reasons to seek out support. Therapy offers a safe and confidential space to reflect on what is going on, receive support and skills, learn to strengthen your relationship with yourself and others, and gain new perspectives.
Research shows that a strong therapeutic relationship is important for treatment outcomes. This means that you should feel good about the person you choose to work with. Take your time to review their website materials and use the phone consultation to ask questions to help you feel at ease. Questions about training background, treatment approach, interpersonal style, openness to feedback, and identity work are all appropriate and may allow for more clarity in your decision-making process.
How do I find the right therapist for me?
What if I am unhappy with my current treatment?
If you are unhappy with the course of treatment or with your therapist, then it is generally advised that you discuss that with your current provider. Providers are personally and professionally invested in your care and want you to feel good about the emotional and financial investment. By offering direct feedback, changes may be made to treatment that better meet your needs or another treatment approach or provider may be provided as a referral. Therapists are trained to handle feedback and want what works best for you.
What does therapy look like?
This first appointment is a comprehensive assessment of current functioning, past psychological and medical history, family background, and individual strengths. Although more structured, this appointment is also an opportunity to start to build the therapeutic relationship and to collaborate on clarifying goals for treatment.
Sessions from then on may vary in appearance based on treatment goals and client needs on that particular day. Consistently you can expect for sessions to be client-centered and collaborative in nature.
It's also not uncommon for therapy to take some time before clients begin to see significant results. The work of therapy is difficult, messy, and intentional. Attending sessions consistently, identifying needs at the beginning of sessions, and practicing skills between appointments are important factors to making treatment most effective.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes, therapy is a confidential space. Your confidentiality will be maintained with some exceptions designated by the law (including potential safety and legal issues that will be covered during the initial consult).
What does it mean to be a PSYPACT provider?
PSYPACT is an interstate compact which offers a voluntary expedited pathway for practice to
qualified psychologists who wish to practice in multiple states. PSYPACT is designed to facilitate the
practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries. In order to practice telepsychology in PSYPACT states, psychologists licensed in PSYPACT states only, can apply to the PSYPACT Commission for an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT).
In order to conduct temporary practice in PSYPACT states, psychologists licensed in PSYPACT states only can apply to the PSYPACT Commission for a Temporary Authorization to Practice (TAP). The PSYPACT Commission is the governing body of PSYPACT and is comprised of one representative from each PSYPACT state. More information regarding PSYPACT and its requirements can be found at www.psypact.org.
Participating PSYPACT states (updated 4/23/24) include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
If this is an emergency please call 911 or contact Colorado Crisis Line at 1 (844) 493 - TALK.