Colorado Springs, Colorado Therapists

Guide to Finding Mental Health Professionals in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has become an attractive city for new residents as it has ample amounts of sunshine most of the year, popular tourist sites, and plenty of employment.  This influx of new people puts a strain on the city and it can be challenging to find the right mental health services.

Colorado Springs rests on the high desert.  It covers 6,035 feet (1,839 m), making it the largest city in Colorado by area.  The 2017 Census reports that the city has approximately 465,000 people and is the second largest populated city in Colorado.  Since the 1950’s, when the Ent Air Force Base was chosen as the headquarters for the Air Defense Command (ADC), the city began to have a continued expansion of military presence.   This sector is what mostly fuels the economy followed by technology and tourism.  The median household income reported in 2017 was $56,227.  Approximately 71% are white collar workers and 29% are blue collar workers.  The unemployment rate was at 3.9% in 2015 compared to 5% for the nation.  Almost 13% the area’s population is in poverty.  The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported that there were over 21,000 divorces in 2013.  This is the lowest rate in almost 10 years, which is in alignment with the national divorce statistics.

The city has an abundance of green open spaces in urban settings, parks, bike trails, and site-seeing locations.  These are some of the reasons that inspired nonresidents to relocate to the city.  However, an inpouring of new residents within the past 20 years has caused major issues with overcrowding.  There are government budget concerns, traffic problems, and the crime rate is higher than 88% than all of the state’s cities.

Mental Health Concerns

Colorado is ranked 43 out of the 51 states in terms of mental health considerations.  (District of Columbia is added to the list as a state.)  This means that it has a higher frequency of mental health issues and a lower ratio of access to mental health treatment.  It is rated 48^th for youth mental health prevalence.   Many people know Colorado Springs as the “nonprofit capital of Colorado”, because there are about 2,000 nonprofits in the Pikes Peak area.  However, most of them are small with budgets under $100,000.

Youth suicide is a major concern in the area.  It was the number one cause of death of children in Colorado between the ages of 10 and 17 from years 2010 – 2014.  In 2016, Colorado Springs experienced what they termed as a suicide cluster when 29 children committed suicide.  The Colorado Behavioral Health Council reports that there is not enough screening and preventative services, a lack of mental health support in schools, and not enough psychiatrists and psychologists in the area.  At a sample meeting, the Council found that two-thirds of children experiencing mental health issues were not getting the treatment that they needed.  Seventy-five percent of the parents shared that they did not know how or where to find treatment for their children.

The Mental Health America of Colorado reports that the state has a behavioral health crisis in that there is not enough follow-up care.  Treatment is often prescribed after an individual’s crisis.  This is why it is so important to seek care when you are initially experiencing mental health symptoms.  Listed below are resources that can help you find support, preventative treatment, and start your path to mental and emotional wellness.

Residents in Colorado Springs find that it is confusing and overwhelming to find treatment when necessary for mental health concerns.  This website is designed to help you find reputable resources quickly.  If you are in crisis, please call the crisis center listed below immediately.  For others, consider the following questions prior to contacting a professional:

What are your symptoms and concerns?

Do you have an alcohol and / or substance abuse problem?

Are your relationships in trouble?  Should your family members attend treatment with you?

Do you have any preferences regarding who provides the treatment?

Crisis Support

The Colorado Crisis Services offers in-person crisis support and most of their centers are open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.  They will provide immediate, confidential crisis support.  They offer information and referrals for follow-up treatment.  Translation services are available for non-English-speaking people.

Mental Health Non-Profit Organizations and Clinics

NAMI Colorado Springs is one of the largest grassroots mental health organizations committed to helping millions of Americans who suffer from mental illness. NAMI provides an advocacy role in raising awareness for mental illness and providing a community of support.  They offer support groups, resources, classes, and outreach programs.

Willow Creek Wellness provides a holistic approach.  Kate Kelly, MSW, LCSW is a skilled trauma recovery therapist.  She specializes in the treatment of grief, loss, trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and mood disorders in adolescents, teenagers, and adults.

The Mission Medical Clinic is a non-profit, faith-based organization.  They provide free mental health and relationship counseling free of charge to anyone in the Pikes Peak Region who is uninsured, underinsured, and with a low income.  There is a psychologist and marital therapist on staff.  The psychiatrist is there once a month.

The Empowerment Therapy Center offers individual and group therapy utilizing a holistic, multisystemic approach by combining services.  They specialize in trauma, grief, domestic abuse, substance abuse, and child abuse.  They offer life skills parenting training, parenting classes, and seminars.  There is a sliding scale fee program for those who qualify.

Hospitals

Peak View Behavioral Health Hospital offers a free consultation.  They provide inpatient and outpatient services for the youth, adults, and the senior community. In addition, they have a detoxification and substance abuse treatment.

Cedar Springs Hospital provides outpatient and inpatient care for children, adolescents, and adults.  They have a Friends and Family Program to assist in creating positive, healthy relationships.  Their Military Services are for Service Members experiencing substance abuse issues, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including emotional, cognitive, and behavioral issues.  The hospital offers financial assistance to those in need.

How can we help?

We offer this website as a resource and an advocate as you address your concerns and find your way to better health.

We hope this directory is a valuable resource for you as you continue your journey to good health and peace.  We welcome you to visit the page for any new updates and to read through our website to find helpful articles.