Not Sure Who to See? Here's How to Choose the Right Psychiatrist or Mental Health Professional in Denver, Westminster, or Boulder

When you first realize you need support for depression, anxiety, PTSD, or OCD, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. With so many types of mental health providers in Denver, Boulder and Westminster, how do you know who to turn to? This guide explains the different provider types, what they do, and how to choose the one that’s right for you.

Understanding Your Needs: Therapy, Medication, or Both?

Start by asking yourself what kind of support you think you need. Are you hoping to develop coping skills, process trauma, or better understand your emotions? Talk therapy might be a good fit. Are you dealing with more severe symptoms and wondering if medication might help? You may want to see someone who can evaluate and prescribe treatment. In many cases, a combination of both therapy and medication can be most effective.

Overview of Mental Health Providers: Who Does What?

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common mental health professionals and what they offer. But you can also learn more about the differences between counselors vs. therapists vs. psychiatrists on our blog. 

• Therapists (LCSW, LPC, LMFT): Provide talk therapy and help with emotional and behavioral concerns.

• Psychologists (PhD, PsyD): Offer therapy, perform psychological assessments, and diagnose mental health conditions.

• Psychiatrists (MD, DO): Medical doctors who diagnose and prescribe medication, and sometimes offer therapy.

• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP): Advanced practice nurses who can evaluate, diagnose, and prescribe medication.

• Peer Specialists, Pastoral Counselors: Offer supportive, non-clinical mental health services based on lived experience or faith-based guidance.

Therapy-Focused Providers: Who They Are and How They Help

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)

LCSWs have a master’s in social work and are trained in psychotherapy, case management, and community advocacy. They are especially helpful if your care involves navigating life systems like housing, insurance, or disability.

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Therapists

These providers typically hold a master’s in counseling or psychology. They focus on talk therapy to help clients develop coping skills, address trauma, and improve emotional well-being.

Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)

LMFTs specialize in interpersonal relationships and systemic family issues. They’re great for couples or families wanting to improve communication and connection.

Psychologists (PhD or PsyD)

Psychologists are doctorate-level professionals trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. They can perform in-depth evaluations and are ideal when you need psychological testing or long-term therapy support.

Providers Who Can Prescribe: Getting the Medication You Need

Psychiatrists (MD or DO)

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They can diagnose complex conditions, prescribe medications, and in some cases, provide therapy. Psychiatrists are often the best fit for people with severe mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs)

PMHNPs are advanced practice nurses with graduate-level education in psychiatric care. They can assess, diagnose, and prescribe medication. Many patients appreciate their holistic, accessible, and often faster appointment availability compared to psychiatrists.

Collaborative Care: Why You Might See More Than One Provider

At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we use a collaborative team approach to deliver personalized care. For example, a psychologist may provide therapy while a PMHNP manages your medication. Working as a team helps ensure that no part of your mental health journey is overlooked.

Other Roles You May Encounter

Certified Peer Specialists

These are individuals with lived experience of mental illness or substance use recovery. They are trained to provide mentorship, goal-setting, and support through shared understanding.

Pastoral Counselors

Pastoral counselors are clergy members with mental health training. They provide spiritual guidance alongside therapeutic support and may be a helpful resource for those seeking faith-integrated counseling.

Physician Assistants in Psychiatry

In some cases, a physician assistant (PA) may specialize in psychiatry and be able to diagnose and prescribe under physician supervision.

How to Choose the Right Mental Health Provider for You

• Symptom Severity: If your symptoms are severe or you suspect a diagnosis requiring medication, start with a psychiatrist or PMHNP.

• Treatment Goals: Want to talk through life transitions or build emotional resilience? A therapist or psychologist may be best.

• Treatment Types: If you're interested in ketamine therapy or TMS, be sure they have the type covered by insurance and that they're willing to do the legwork. Here are some questions you may want to consider asking a psychiatric provider before starting ketamine treatment. It should be noted that ketamine therapy requires ongoing maintenance, which should be factored into costs when you're doing your research.

• Insurance: Check which provider types are covered by your plan or if you're willing to pay out of pocket indefinitely for some treatments. We provide comprehensive information on TMS costs, Spravato costs, and Ketamine Infusion costs on our website. We also provide a TMS pro bono program for patients with demonstrated financial need.

• Convenience: PMHNPs often have shorter wait times than psychiatrists. Our practice has same-week appointments.

• Comfort Level: Choose someone you feel safe opening up to with lived experience—it makes a difference in your progress. All of our providers, like Ben Egbers, Selina Church, Kayla Sharpe, and Elinor O'Buckley (see more on our provider page), provide more than the letters behind their names in their personal interviews.

You Deserve More Than a Google Search

Searching online for a therapist or psychiatrist can be confusing. You deserve better than scrolling through lists of unfamiliar names and acronyms. At Axis, we make it easy to get started by helping match you to the right professional on our team and making affordable mental healthcare accessible.

What Makes Axis Different: Our Integrative Mental Health Team

Axis Integrated Mental Health has been widely recognized for its innovative, inclusive, and compassionate approach to care. The clinic was named a Colorado Company to Watch 2024 and won the Best of Mile High™ Mental Wellness award in both 2024 and 2025. Additional honors include ColoradoBiz Top Startup 2024, Top 100 Woman-Owned Business, and Top Family-Owned Companies.

While the awards speak volumes, it's the patient testimonials that reflect the true impact of Axis’ work, highlighting life-changing results, heartfelt compassion, and individualized care. Axis offers comprehensive outpatient psychiatric treatment and therapy for adults and children over 5 at its locations near Boulder, Denver, and Westminster, as well as through telehealth statewide.

Axis is also known for its deep commitment to the community. The clinic has donated more than $400,000 in pro bono care to underserved populations and first responders and leads suicide prevention efforts in Colorado through its founding of the 266K Project.

Ready to Talk? Let’s Find the Right Provider Together

Contact us today at (720) 400-7025 or book online to schedule a consultation and begin your path to healing. Whether you’re in Denver or Aurora, we’re here for you.

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, and therapist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. A psychologist typically holds a PhD or PsyD and provides therapy and psychological assessments. A therapist (such as an LPC, LMFT, or LCSW) offers talk therapy to help clients develop coping skills, process emotions, and navigate life challenges—but does not prescribe medication.

2. Can a PMHNP prescribe mental health medication in Colorado?
Yes. A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is licensed to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications in Colorado. PMHNPs often offer more holistic, accessible care and may have shorter wait times than psychiatrists. At Axis, our PMHNPs work closely with therapists and other providers as part of an integrative team.

3. How do I know if I need medication or just therapy?
If you're experiencing moderate to severe symptoms such as persistent depression, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, or functional impairments, medication might be helpful. If you're looking to process emotions, build coping tools, or navigate life transitions, therapy may be enough. Many people benefit from both. At Axis, we can help assess what’s right for you and create a personalized plan.

4. What’s the difference between an LCSW and an LPC?
Both LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers) and LPCs (Licensed Professional Counselors) are qualified to provide therapy. LCSWs often have additional training in social systems, case management, and advocacy—making them ideal for clients navigating community resources or complex life situations. LPCs focus more directly on emotional and behavioral concerns through talk therapy.

5. Does Axis Integrated Mental Health accept insurance for therapy and psychiatric care?
Yes. Axis accepts most major insurance plans for both therapy and psychiatric services, including medication management and advanced treatments like TMS and Spravato. We also offer support with insurance verification and matching you to the right provider based on your benefits, location, and treatment goals.