Frequently Asked Questions
Care & Treatment
How can I start getting care?
We know that finding quality mental health support for yourself or a loved one can be confusing. While the process of beginning your wellness or recovery journey may feel intimidating, our mission is to make it as simple and straightforward as possible. Starting your wellness journey with us begins with 3 simple steps. Visit our Get Started page to learn more.
Are you or a loved one experiencing a mental health crisis? You can visit our 24/7 Walk–in Crisis Center anytime, day or night, for immediate crisis support at no cost. You can also contact the National Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988, or the Colorado Crisis Line at 1-844-493-8255 (or text “TALK” to 38255).
Can I bring my child/children to my assessment?
We recommend finding childcare for your children, if possible, since a new client assessment can take up to 2 hours and is not conducive to having children present. However, if you are unable to find childcare, let our team know and we will work with you on a solution.
Can I drop my child or teen off to complete their assessment?
We don’t recommend dropping off your child and leaving. Assessments are similar to medical appointments, which means we often require the parent or legal guardian to be present. We may also need you to review and sign paperwork.
Do both parents of a child need to agree for a child to receive care?
Any parent or legal guardian is presumed to have authority and privilege for their children regarding mental health decisions and access to their protected health information (PHI). Thus, only one parent or legal guardian needs to be present to agree for their child to receive care. Documentation (court orders) to the contrary will be required prior to beginning care.
How long will it take to get help?
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can visit our 24/7 Walk-in Crisis Center anytime, day or night, for immediate crisis support at no cost – regardless of whether or not you are a current client or Colorado resident. You can also contact the National Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988, or the Colorado Crisis Line at 1-844-493-8255 (or text “TALK” to 38255).
If you or a loved one are NOT experiencing a crisis but interested in receiving ongoing outpatient support and services, then we will help you complete the new client registration process.
Once you contact us (by phone or online form), a member of our team will connect with you within 48 hours (about 2 business days) to gather some additional information we need to complete your registration. We will also schedule your comprehensive assessment within 1-2 weeks.
After the assessment is complete and your treatment plan is developed, we will work to get you or your loved one connected to care as soon as possible. The exact timeline for this process can vary depending on the type of service needed, which location is most convenient for you, and other individual factors.
Throughout your wellness journey, we provide your with additional resources and support groups – such as health and wellness groups, mental health trainings, resource navigation, and more.
What resources are available before my first appointment?
After registration is complete, clients have immediate access to special focus therapy groups and wellness activities – including art, hiking, and more. We also invite clients and caregivers to join Be A Voice, an advocacy group dedicated to improving service excellence and community engagement. For more information, visit our Events page and Resources page.
Will my parents know if I receive care?
If and how your parents, guardians, or caregivers are involved in your treatment depends on individual factors such as your age and stage of development, as well as the type of treatment you are seeking.
- 18 and older. If you are 18 and older, you may consent to all treatment yourself as an adult and determine if and how your treatment is shared with others (including parents or caregivers).
- Age 15-17. If you are between the ages of 15-17, you can voluntarily seek mental health and substance use treatment. However, in some cases, a mental health professional may choose to notify your parents or legal guardian if deemed necessary. This decision is at the discretion of your treatment team.
- Age 12-14. If you are between the ages of 12-14, per state law you can only consent to substance use treatment and psychoeducational services without parent or guardian consent. Parental/guardian consent is required to receive any other service. Contact us to better understand what services are available to you if you fall into this age range.
If you plan to use insurance to pay for services and a person other than you is the policy holder of that insurance plan (such as a parent or caregiver), understand that the policy holder may be able to see what type(s) of services you receive when they are billed by the insurance company. However, they will not be able to see the specific service notes or details about your care.
How old do I need to be to consent to services?
All clients aged 18 and older are considered adults and may consent to all treatment themselves. The only exception is when a court has assigned the individual a legal guardian. For clients under the age of 18 (minors), various consent rules apply depending on their age and the situation:
- Under 18. If you are under 18, you may voluntarily seek substance use treatment, with or without consent from a parent or legal guardian. Your signature is enough to authorize treatment, releases of protected health information, fee payment, and other treatment documents.
- Ages 15-17. Clients between the ages of 15-17 may sign all legal documents on their own, without a parent or guardian present. However, except in cases where a minor receives voluntary treatment for substance use issues, a licensed mental health professional working with a minor may advise the minor’s parent or legal guardian of the services given or needed, with or without the consent of the minor.
- Ages 12-14. If you are 12-14 years old and wish to get treatment, you may only do so for the purposes of psychoeducational services and substance use treatment (as defined by state law). In this case, we will require a specific acknowledgement consent to be filled out and signed. Clients of this age do not have legal authority to sign release of information for themself, and there may be additional steps to take before treatment can begin.
Do you accept clients with developmental disabilities?
We can and do help coordinate care for clients with neurodevelopmental conditions (such as autism spectrum disorders), as well as treat mental health symptoms that can arise from these diagnoses.
While we are not equipped to provide non-verbal services at this time, if you or a loved one are non-verbal, we can help you find specialized treatment services through our extensive partnership network with local medical providers, government programs, and other nonprofit organizations.
Do you provide care in other languages?
Yes, we offer both translation and interpretation services for in-person and telehealth (virtual) care. Ensuring that all people receive culturally responsive mental health care in their preferred language is part of our ongoing efforts to expand access to services in our community.
How do I reschedule an appointment?
Please call our main phone number (303-443-8500) to reschedule your appointment. For TTY users, dial 711.
How can I file a complaint or give feedback?
We are grateful for your time and vulnerability in sharing about your experience. Providing the best possible care for our clients and communities is our top priority, and your feedback is vital to achieving this mission. We invite and encourage you to contact our Client & Family Advocate to confidentially discuss your experience and share any suggestions you may have. Visit our Client Support page to learn more.
How can I request my medical records?
To request your medical records, please contact our Records department by phone (303-247-8791) or email (clinicalrecords@mhpcolorado.org). In order for us to release your records, we will need you to fill out a Request for Protected Health Information form – or submit a written statement as an official request.