Question 1

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

Accepted Answer

If you are struggling with your mental health, relationships, work, identity, or day-to-day life, therapy can help. You do not need to be in crisis to benefit. Many clients come to us simply wanting to understand themselves better, process a life change, or build healthier coping strategies.

Question 2

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

You can book a free 15-minute consultation online through our scheduling portal, or call/text 720-386-6726. During the consult, we will learn about what you are looking for and help match you with the right therapist on our team. From there, we will schedule an intake appointment.

Question 3

How long are sessions and how often do we meet?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are 50–60 minutes for both individual and couples or family therapy. Most clients begin with weekly sessions, then move to biweekly or monthly as therapy progresses. Frequency is collaborative and based on your goals.

Question 4

How long does therapy take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you are working on. Some clients see meaningful change in 8–12 sessions with focused, goal-oriented work. Others benefit from longer-term therapy for complex trauma, identity exploration, or ongoing support. We check in regularly about your progress and goals.

Question 5

Do you see clients in person, online, or both?

Accepted Answer

Both. Our office is located at 1650 38th Street, Suite 100E, Boulder, CO 80301. Secure telehealth is also available to anyone physically located in Colorado at the time of session.

Question 6

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are in-network with Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Colorado Access, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, Northeast Health Partners, and CCHA. If you have a different insurer, you may still have out-of-network benefits — we can provide a superbill you can submit for partial reimbursement.

Question 7

How do I verify my benefits?

Accepted Answer

You can call the member services number on the back of your insurance card and ask: (1) do I have outpatient mental health benefits, (2) what is my copay or coinsurance, (3) have I met my deductible, and (4) is Ashton Mental Health an in-network provider. We are also happy to help verify benefits before your first session.

Question 8

What is the self-pay rate?

Accepted Answer

For clients without insurance or who choose not to use insurance, our self-pay rates are $120 per session for individual therapy and $150 per session for couples and family therapy. Sliding-scale fees are also available based on need. See our Insurance & Rates page for full details.

Question 9

Do you offer a sliding scale?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have a limited number of reduced-fee slots ranging from $50 to $80 per session, available based on financial need. Please ask during your consultation and we will do our best to accommodate or refer you to a low-cost option in Boulder County.

Question 10

What is a Good Faith Estimate?

Accepted Answer

Under the federal No Surprises Act (effective January 1, 2022), all healthcare providers are required to give clients who are uninsured or paying out of pocket a written estimate of expected charges for services. You can read our full Good Faith Estimate policy and request one at any time.

Question 11

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards, HSA and FSA cards. Payment is collected at the time of service via the card on file.

Question 12

Is telehealth as effective as in-person therapy?

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that telehealth is just as effective as in-person therapy for most concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. Some clients actually prefer it for reasons of comfort, accessibility, and saved commute time.

Question 13

What platform do you use?

Accepted Answer

We use a HIPAA-compliant video platform integrated with our scheduling system. You will receive a secure session link before each appointment — no separate downloads required.

Question 14

What do I need for a telehealth session?

Accepted Answer

A private, quiet space; a reliable internet connection; and a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone. Headphones are recommended for privacy. You must be physically located in Colorado during your session.

Question 15

Can I do telehealth from outside Colorado?

Accepted Answer

Generally, no. Colorado licensing law requires that clients be physically located in Colorado at the time of their session. If you are traveling or moving, please let us know in advance so we can plan together.

Question 16

What happens in the first session?

Accepted Answer

The first session is an intake. Your therapist will get to know you, ask about your background, current concerns, and goals, and answer any questions you have. It is also a chance for you to see if the fit feels right — there is no pressure to continue if it is not the right match.

Question 17

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Just yourself. Intake paperwork is completed online before your session through our client portal. If you are using insurance, please have your insurance card handy in case any information needs to be verified.

Question 18

How do you match clients with therapists?

Accepted Answer

During your free consultation, we listen to what you are looking for — including specialty areas, identity considerations, modality preferences, and scheduling needs — and recommend the therapist on our team who is the best fit. You can also browse our team directly.

Question 19

What if my therapist is not the right fit?

Accepted Answer

Fit matters more than almost anything else in therapy outcomes. If your therapist does not feel like the right match, please tell us. We will either adjust the approach, transfer you to another therapist on our team, or help you find an outside referral. No hard feelings — ever.

Question 20

Do you work with neurodivergent clients?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer neurodivergent-affirming care. Our therapists are trained to understand ADHD, autism, and related neurotypes, and we adapt our approaches to work with how your brain actually functions — not against it.

Question 21

Are you LGBTQ+ affirming?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide affirming, knowledgeable care for LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and chosen families. Several of our therapists have specialized training and lived experience in queer and trans-affirming care.

Question 22

Do you treat trauma and PTSD?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Several of our therapists are trained in trauma-focused modalities including EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic approaches. We treat single-incident trauma, PTSD, and complex/relational trauma.

Question 23

Do you see couples and families?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer couples therapy and family therapy. Approaches include Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman-informed work, attachment-based therapy, and family systems work.

Question 24

Do you prescribe medication?

Accepted Answer

No. We are licensed mental health therapists, not psychiatrists or prescribers. If medication may be helpful, we will discuss it with you and coordinate with a psychiatrist or your primary care provider as appropriate.

Question 25

Do you see children or adolescents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We see clients of all ages, including children, teens, and adults. Please share who the therapy is for during your free consultation and we will match you with the right therapist on our team.

Question 26

Is what I say in therapy confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Everything you share is protected by federal HIPAA law and Colorado state law. There are three legal exceptions where we are required to break confidentiality: (1) imminent danger to yourself, (2) imminent danger to someone else, or (3) reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child, dependent adult, or elder.

Question 27

Will my therapy be in my medical record?

Accepted Answer

If you use insurance, your insurer requires a diagnosis and basic claim information, which becomes part of your insurance record. Session content itself is not shared. If you prefer maximum privacy, paying out of pocket avoids creating any insurance record.

Question 28

Can I bring a support person to my session?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes, depending on the situation. Please talk with your therapist in advance if you want to invite a partner, family member, or support person into a session.

Question 29

What if I am in crisis between sessions?

Accepted Answer

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health emergency in Colorado, call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255. You can also call or text 988 for the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. We are not a 24/7 crisis service; please use these resources for after-hours support and let your therapist know at your next session.

Question 30

What if I need a higher level of care?

Accepted Answer

If outpatient therapy is not enough, we will help connect you with appropriate resources, including intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), or inpatient care. Your safety and wellbeing always come first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Insurance, Fees & Good Faith Estimates

Telehealth & Office Logistics

Your First Session & Finding a Fit

Specialties & What We Treat

Privacy & Confidentiality

Crisis & Emergencies

Still have questions?