Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to some commonly asked questions here.

How should I prepare for the first appointment?

Take a moment to fill out these three forms and bring them with you to your first appointment. Your therapist will go over them with you and answer any questions that you may have.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a method of treatment in which the therapist and client(s) work together to alleviate emotional discomfort and improve mental health and daily functioning through focus on (1) the therapeutic relationship; (2) the client's attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and behavior; and (3) the client's current and past relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners.

What is Assessment?

Assessment, or testing, is a tool often used by therapists to help determine the nature of cognitive difficulties or emotional problems in adults, adolescents, and children.  Parents and teachers often ask for testing to determine what a child’s strengths and weaknesses are in learning and to help develop an appropriate plan so their child benefits the most from his/her educational opportunities.  Lawyers, judges, and other officers of the court often request assessments to assist in determining competency, sentencing recommendations, violence risk, and parental fitness/responsibility.

What can I expect for my first visit?

The first visit is a time for both you and your therapist to meet and decide if working together would be the best option for you. During this visit, your therapist will ask what brings you to therapy as well as additional questions about your childhood, your family, your relationship history, your career, etc. in order to get a broader picture of who you are. With this information, your therapist is able to prescribe the best course of treatment for you. If able, please download and complete these three forms and bring with you to your first visit.

Do you offer a free consultation?

All of our therapists offer a free 15 minute phone consultation. This conversation is used to gather more information about you and the reason you are seeking therapy. It is also a time for you to ask any questions or talk about any concerns that you may have. At the end of this consultation, your options for treatment will be discussed and if appropriate, your first visit will be scheduled at that time.

Is therapy confidential?

Generally speaking, the information provided by and to you as the client during the therapy sessions is legally confidential. Since the information is legally confidential, your therapist cannot be forced to disclose any of your information without your consent. Information disclosed to your therapist is privileged communication and cannot be disclosed in any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Colorado without the consent of the person to whom the testimony sought relates.There are exceptions to the general rule of legal confidentiality which will be discussed with you during your first session. 

What is the difference between a psychotherapist, a psychologist, and a psychiatrist?

A psychotherapist is someone who is licensed as a psychotherapy provider such as a licensed practicing counselor (LPC), a licensed counselor of social work (LCSW), a social worker with a master’s degree (MSW), or someone who is unlicensed and working towards achieving the requirements for licensure within the state. Unlicensed practitioners are required by the state to be supervised by a licensed clinician. For example, clinicians who have graduated with their doctorate in psychology (Psy.D. or Ph.D.) must see a certain number of clients (as defined by the state) in addition to the clients they saw while in training before they will be eligible for licensure. When a practitioner is being supervised, both the supervisor and the practitioner are required by law to maintain the client’s confidentiality.

A psychologist is a practitioner who possesses a doctoral degree (Psy.D. or Ph.D.) and is licensed by the state in which they practice.There are many different types of psychologists - researchers, teachers, consultants, and those who apply psychological knowledge in a clinical setting, such as clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists. Clinical psychologists are considered experts in providing psychotherapy, analyzing psychological testing, and diagnosing mental illness. They are trained in a variety of theories which are then uniquely applied to each individual with the goal of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychological discomfort and increasing overall well-being.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) who is able to prescribe medication. Although some states are discussing the possibility of passing legislation to allow psychologists with additional training to prescribe medication.

Will I need medication?

Sometimes a client may be feeling very depressed or anxious and these symptoms prevent the client from participating fully in therapy. In times like these, it is recommended that the client begin medication in conjunction with therapy. Other clients report feeling relief from their symptoms after attending a few sessions of therapy. In these cases, medication is not necessary. Clients who are seeking only medication are probably better suited to see a psychiatrist.

Who should seek psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy can be beneficial for anybody at any point in life. People often use therapy as a way of processing past, current, or future events in their lives. Such events may include loss of a job, birth of a child, beginning or end of a relationship, death of a loved one, or witnessing a traumatic event. People seek therapy as a way of gaining a better understanding of how they interact in current relationships with others. Recently, people have been seeking therapy proactively, as a way of learning more about themselves and why they do what they do. Having a deeper understanding of one’s self allows a person to make more informed choices about their life.

Will my health insurance pay for it?

Most licensed clinicians are able to work with health insurance. However, it is important for all consumers to know that if they choose to use their health insurance for mental health benefits that insurance companies can request that your treating clinician send reports and summaries of treatment which may include a diagnosis. These reports become part of your record and have the potential to be read by others in your life, i.e. military, future employers, other insurance, etc. Additionally, the insurance agents, NOT your treating clinician, make the final decision about the number of visits they deem necessary for your presenting concerns.

What forms of payment are accepted at CPS?

Checks, cash, money orders and credit cards.

How long will I be in therapy?

This is a difficult question to answer because it varies for each client. Some clients begin therapy to help them through a transitional period in their lives (marriage/civil union, divorce, child birth, new job, relocation, etc). Often clients report a decrease in their symptoms of anxiety and/or depression after 6 to 8 sessions. Other clients prefer to take more time since once they feel comfortable and begin talking about their initial concerns, additional questions arise that they would like to explore with the help of their therapist.

What if I need to cancel/change an appointment?

All appointment cancellations should be made at least 24 hours before the scheduled appointment time. Clients who cancel within 24 hours of their appointments will be charged the fee for a full session. In order to cancel or reschedule an appointment please call 303-669-0339 and leave a message. Cancellations through email are not accepted.

• "My life was in complete shambles when I came to see Dr. Meredith. She helped me turn things around at my own pace. She has amazing insight and intuition and heals with kindness, respect and compassion. I feel stronger now than I ever thought possible." --J.H.

• "Thanks for your support when I decided to come out to my family. It made such a difference knowing that I wasn't alone."--L.W.

• "Dr. Campbell is an exceptionally bright therapist who balances her intelligence with warmth, a calm presence & solid clinical skills. I hope to be lucky enough to have her services available to me as needed throughout the rest of my life when I need help navigating the tough parts along the way." --V.P.

• "I didn't think that so much could happen in such a short time! I'm ready to start dating again! I know where to find you if I need to check in!" --A.S.

• "Our marriage counseling saved us.  Thanks for a better view of where we were and where we wanted to be... and how to get there.  Although we got lots of valuable tools, we'll probably want to check in from time to time as stressful situations occur. Knowing that we can get help at any time really helps.  We appreciate the counseling relationship!" --B.C.