Licensed Clinical Social Workers in Denver, CO
Compare 2497 licensed clinical social workers in Denver, CO. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
2,497
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
100%
Accepting patients
67%
Most common: LCSW
Top-Rated Licensed Clinical Social Workers in Denver, CO
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: social-workerState: COCity: Denver
About licensed clinical social workers in Denver, CO
Denver's healthcare identity is shaped by two forces: the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, which pulls top researchers and specialists to the Front Range, and a population that expects its doctors to understand active lifestyles. This is a city where orthopedic surgeons treat weekend ski injuries and altitude medicine is a real subspecialty.
Denver has 2,497 licensed clinical social workers. The most common credential is LCSW (67%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Most specialist care concentrates around the Anschutz Medical Campus on the east side and the Denver Health campus downtown. Cherry Creek and the I-25 corridor south through Littleton form a secondary medical office belt. RTD light rail connects downtown to Anschutz, but most patients drive and should plan for traffic on Colorado Boulevard and I-225.
Providers practice throughout Denver. LoDo (Lower Downtown) is denver's historic downtown core with walking access to Denver Health Medical Center and specialty offices. Capitol Hill is a dense, central neighborhood near National Jewish Health and Denver Health. RiNo (River North) is a growing arts district north of downtown with new medical offices and community clinics. Cherry Creek is an upscale shopping and residential area with concierge practices and specialty medical offices.
Nearby hospitals include UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Health Medical Center, and National Jewish Health. Local training programs run through University of Colorado School of Medicine and University of Denver. National Jewish Health in Denver is ranked the number one respiratory hospital in the nation.
What to expect at your first licensed clinical social worker visit in Denver, CO
A first session typically lasts 50 to 60 minutes. The social worker will ask about your current concerns, mental health history, family background, living situation, and support network. They may also ask about practical issues like insurance coverage, housing stability, and safety at home. Together, you will set goals for treatment. Social workers use evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused approaches. Sessions are usually weekly or biweekly. Social workers cannot prescribe medication but can refer you to a psychiatrist if medication might help.
When to see a licensed clinical social worker
You might see a clinical social worker for depression, anxiety, grief, relationship conflict, trauma recovery, or adjustment to major life changes like divorce, job loss, or chronic illness diagnosis. Social workers are also the right fit if you need help navigating the healthcare or social services system alongside therapy. If you are in crisis, experiencing domestic violence, or need case management for a complex situation involving mental health and practical barriers, a social worker can address both the emotional and logistical challenges.
Typical costs
Individual session copay: $20-50 with insurance · Self-pay: $80-150/session · Community mental health center: $20-80/session sliding scale
Common reasons to see a licensed clinical social worker in Denver, CO
Family conflict and dysfunction
Clinical social workers provide family therapy that addresses communication patterns, boundary issues, and generational dynamics. They also connect families with community resources for additional support.
Grief and life transitions
Social workers offer grief counseling and help with the practical side of major life changes: navigating benefits, connecting with support groups, and building a plan for moving forward.
Anxiety and depression
Licensed clinical social workers provide therapy for anxiety and depression using evidence-based methods. They take a holistic view that considers your relationships, environment, and resources.
Trauma and abuse recovery
Social workers are trained in trauma-informed care and help survivors of abuse process their experiences, develop safety plans, and access community resources for ongoing support.
Adjustment to chronic illness
A chronic health diagnosis changes everything. Clinical social workers help you cope with the emotional impact, navigate the healthcare system, and maintain quality of life.
Browse licensed clinical social workers by neighborhood in Denver
Frequently asked questions about licensed clinical social workers in Denver, CO
Denver, CO has 2,497 licensed licensed clinical social workers. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of licensed clinical social workers in Denver, CO are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Colorado's ACA marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, offers plans from Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, Cigna, and Friday Health Plans. Kaiser runs the largest closed network in the metro. Health First Colorado is the state Medicaid program, with managed care through Rocky Mountain Health Plans and Colorado Access.
A session copay is $20 to $50 with insurance. Self-pay rates are $80 to $150 per session. Community mental health centers charge $20 to $80 on a sliding scale. Actual costs in Denver, CO depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Social workers are generally the most affordable type of licensed therapist. Community mental health centers employ social workers and offer income-based sliding-scale fees. Many LCSWs in private practice also reserve sliding-scale slots.
Denver's provider network splits into three main systems: UCHealth (the academic powerhouse), Denver Health (the public safety-net), and SCL Health/Intermountain (community hospitals). Most specialists practice within one system, so your hospital preference often determines your specialist options.
LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker and MSW stands for Master of Social Work. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Denver, CO, 67% hold the LCSW credential and 7% hold MSW. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
10% of licensed clinical social workers in Denver, CO accept Medicare. Medicare Part B covers clinical social worker services at 80% of the approved amount. You pay the 20% coinsurance after meeting the Part B deductible. No referral is needed to see a social worker under Medicare. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
At 5,280 feet, Denver's altitude can affect medication dosing, recovery times, and respiratory conditions. Most Denver physicians are experienced with altitude-related adjustments. If you have a heart or lung condition and recently relocated, bring it up at your first appointment.
Kaiser runs a large closed network in the Denver metro with its own hospitals, urgent cares, and pharmacies. It works well if you prefer integrated care and don't mind staying within the Kaiser system. If you want flexibility to see providers across multiple hospital systems, an open-network plan gives you more options.
Nearby Cities
Other specialties in Denver
Insurance & Licensed Clinical Social Worker coverage
Top accepted carriers in Denver, CO include qhp-68781, qhp-56707, qhp-17091, medicare, and unitedhealthcare.
Most insurance plans cover therapy with licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs). Social workers are one of the most widely covered mental health provider types. Verify your plan covers outpatient mental health services and check whether the social worker is in-network. Mental health parity laws require most plans to cover mental health at the same level as physical health. Community mental health centers often accept Medicaid and offer sliding-scale fees.
