Who Provides Therapy?

Mental Health America of Pikes Peak Region | 1352 N. Academy Blvd. | Colorado Springs, CO 80909
T: 719.633-4604 | F: 719.633.0845

Who Provides Therapy?

There are six professional groups licensed in Colorado and recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health. Members of each professional group must be trained according to the standards of accredited institutions and must pass an examination to receive a license. They are trained to evaluate, diagnose and treat psychological and social problems in individuals, couples, families, and groups. The six types of professionals, minimum educational standards, and professional organizations include:

Psychologists

Doctoral degree in psychology
Trained in psychotherapy and psychological testing
Minimum of one-year post-doctoral supervised experience
Licensed by the State Board of Psychologist Examiners
Professional organization is the Colorado Psychological Association
May be certified by the American Board of Professional Psychologists (ABPP)

Clinical Social Workers

Master's or doctoral degree in social work
Minimum of two years post-degree, supervised practice
Trained to practice psychotherapy
Licensed by the State Board of Social Work Examiners as an LCSW
May be certified by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ASCW)
Professional organizations are the Colorado Society for Clinical Social Work and the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers
May be Board Certified in Clinical Social Work, B.C.D., by the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work.

Marriage & Family Therapists

Master's or doctoral degree in a psychological or counseling field
Minimum two years of post-degree supervised practice
Licensed by the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapist Examiners as an LMFT/may be certified by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Professional organization is the Colorado Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Professional Counselors

Master's doctoral degree in psychology or counseling
Minimum two years of post-degree supervised practice
Licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) by the State Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
May be certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors
Professional organizations are the Colorado Counseling Association and the Southern Colorado Association of Licensed Professional Counselors

Psychiatrists

Medical degree plus more than four years of specialty training in psychiatry
May be certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology which requires two years practice experience and a written exam
May assess biological and psychological aspects of mental problems
Licensed to prescribe drugs and perform psychotherapy
Licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners
Professional organization is the Colorado Psychiatric Society

Psychiatric Nurses

Master's or doctoral degree in nursing with a specialization in psychiatric and mental health nursing
Minimum 800 hours of advanced clinical practice
Certified (after completing the above) as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in either an adult, child or adolescent specialty
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) by the State Board of Nursing
Qualified to monitor medication and physical illness in clients; may achieve prescriptive rights through the State of Colorado Board of Nursing
Professional organization is the Colorado Society of Clinical Specialists in Psychiatric Nursing

Unlicensed Psychotherapists

In Colorado, it is permissible to practice psychotherapy without any specified education, experience or credentials.
All psychotherapists, licensed or unlicensed, must be registered in the state's mental health database. Psychotherapists fall under their jurisdiction for illegal and unethical practice.