While the stigmas surrounding mental health still exist today, our relationship with the topic has improved in recent decades. More people recognize the importance of mental health every day, as it is an essential aspect of our well-being. That said, understanding your own unique mental health needs can be challenging, and it all starts with finding the right provider for psychiatry in Denver, Boulder, or wherever else you live in Colorado.
A psychiatric evaluation with a licensed professional is the first step to supporting and improving your mental health. That evaluation will provide an accurate diagnosis of your mental well-being and can serve as a starting point for the long-term treatment of any concerning or pressing symptoms. However, there are many psychiatric businesses across the Front Range and each provider is different from the last. So, how can you find the right psychiatric practice for you?
These key insights will help you accurately assess options in your area and access the mental health care services you need.
Research Psychiatric Practices in Your Area
Take some time to search for providers of psychiatry in Denver, Boulder, Highlands Ranch, Fort Collins, or other communities across the Front Range. Make sure these providers are within comfortable driving distance for you or can provide psychiatric services remotely.
We'd recommend creating your own list of around 3-5 providers near you as a starting point. When researching providers, make sure you consider things like their:
- Local Reputation – Look through testimonials, reviews, and star ratings on third-party websites like Google to get a good sense of each practice's professionalism, customer service, and quality of care.
- Credentials and Licensing – You'll always want to ensure that your psychiatric professional is qualified to work with you. Double-check that each provider has appropriate post-graduate degrees and is licensed to work by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies.
- On-Staff Providers – Get a sense of the experience levels, education, and backgrounds of the providers at each practice. Whichever psychiatric practitioner you end up working with, you'll want to be sure they have the necessary expertise and knowledge to diagnose and treat your specific symptoms.
Evaluate the Processes of Each Practice
As we mentioned earlier, every psychiatric practice operates a little differently. While each psychiatric practice can diagnose patients and prescribe medications for symptom relief, providers may differ in their approaches to diagnosis and ongoing treatment. As such, it's worthwhile to take a closer look at the internal processes of each practice.
Most practices will outline their approaches on their websites, so take the time to closely review those processes to get a sense of how they operate. It's a good idea to assess things like:
- The time allotted for your initial consultation – How long will your first appointment last? Does that time feel sufficient for your psychiatric professional to get to know you, understand your symptoms, and provide a diagnosis?
- Additional assessments and evaluations – How does each practice ensure no stone is left unturned? After your consultation, will they ask you to complete any other mental health assessments?
- Treatment plan strategies – Aside from medication management, can each psychiatric practice offer any other services? How will they adjust your treatment plan over time?
At Larson Mental Health, we've structured our consultations to last for 90 minutes, which is significantly longer than many other practices. This allows our practitioners to conduct a thorough assessment of your mental health concerns and ensure the accuracy of our diagnoses. In addition, we may provide additional mental health screenings like the QbTest for ADHD, and we may offer talk therapy in conjunction with our medication management plans.
Check Insurance Coverage and Fees
Healthcare in the United States can be confusing and costly. As such, it's a good idea to check if your preferred providers of psychiatry in Denver or Boulder accept your health insurance.
It’s wise to get a sense of the expected costs as well. Your insurance may not cover all expenses for your mental health care, so it's best to know what your out-of-pocket expenses may be before booking any appointments.
Schedule Consultations and Compare Providers Face-to-Face
You can find tons of valuable information about psychiatric practices online, but your research won't uncover every detail. The best way to see if a psychiatric professional is right for you is to meet with them face-to-face. That is truly the only way that you can effectively evaluate their knowledge and training, bedside manner, and whether they are a good fit for your personality and needs.
Keep in mind that those consultations may not be complimentary, and you will likely be responsible for paying for each diagnosis. It may feel overwhelming to meet with multiple psychiatric practitioners, but this approach will allow you to compare options on a more personal level and give you the chance to shop the market.
Book Your Consultation with Larson Mental Health: A Top Provider of Psychiatry in Denver & More
At Larson Mental Health, we strive to be the comprehensive mental health care partner for all your mental health concerns. Our diverse and highly experienced team of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners can provide an accurate diagnosis for you and develop a custom treatment plan to address your long-term mental health care needs. We have a great command of psychopharmacology, offer 90-minute in-depth evaluations, and can provide care both in-person and via telehealth for adults and youth alike. And with offices across the state, we can conduct services for psychiatry in Denver, Boulder, Highlands Ranch, and even Fort Collins.
Schedule your appointment with our skilled Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners today. Or, if you have questions about our practice, get in touch with our team.