Psychiatrists in Denver, CO
Compare 449 psychiatrists in Denver, CO. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
449
Psychiatrists
100%
Accepting patients
82%
Most common: MD
Top-Rated Psychiatrists in Denver, CO
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: psychiatristState: COCity: Denver
About psychiatrists 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 449 psychiatrists. The most common credential is MD (82%). 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 psychiatrist visit in Denver, CO
An initial psychiatric evaluation takes 45 to 90 minutes. The psychiatrist will review your symptoms, medical history, family history, current medications, and any substance use. They may order blood work or other tests. By the end of the appointment, they will provide a diagnosis, discuss treatment options (medication, therapy, or both), and write prescriptions if appropriate.
Tips for Denver, CO patients
Therapist waitlists in central Denver can run four to eight weeks. Sliding-scale options exist through the Mental Health Center of Denver, which has locations across the metro.
When to see a psychiatrist
See a psychiatrist if you think you may need medication for a mental health condition, if your current medication is not working well, if you have a complex diagnosis (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, treatment-resistant depression), or if you want a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Primary care doctors prescribe many psychiatric medications, but a psychiatrist offers specialized expertise.
Typical costs
Initial evaluation: $250-500 · Follow-up (med management): $100-300 · Psychological testing (if offered): varies
Common reasons to see a psychiatrist in Denver, CO
Seasonal affective disorder picks up in late fall even though Denver gets 300 days of sunshine. The altitude adjustment period for new residents can also trigger anxiety and sleep disruption.
Medication management for mental health
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who prescribe and manage psychiatric medications. They monitor effectiveness, adjust dosages, and watch for side effects to find the right balance for you.
Treatment-resistant depression
When standard antidepressants have not worked, psychiatrists can explore alternative medications, combination strategies, and newer treatments. They bring the full medical toolkit to complex cases.
Bipolar disorder
Managing the highs and lows of bipolar disorder requires careful medication management. Psychiatrists prescribe and monitor mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics, and other treatments specific to bipolar spectrum conditions.
ADHD medication
Psychiatrists prescribe stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications and work with you to find the right fit. They also screen for co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression that affect treatment.
Severe anxiety and panic disorder
When anxiety is debilitating and therapy alone is not enough, psychiatrists can prescribe medications that reduce the intensity of symptoms while you build coping skills in therapy.
Browse psychiatrists by neighborhood in Denver
Alamo Placita(3856)Swallow Hill Historic District(3482)Belmont Heights(3345)Sherman Street Historic District(2626)Sandown(1566)Lower Highland(836)San Rafael Historic District(835)Mariposa District(578)East Highland(507)Clement(420)River North RiNo Art District(321)Quality Hill Historic District(311)Auraria
Frequently asked questions about psychiatrists in Denver, CO
Denver, CO has 449 licensed psychiatrists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of psychiatrists 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.
An initial psychiatric evaluation costs $250 to $500. Medication management follow-ups range from $100 to $300 per visit. Actual costs in Denver, CO depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Many psychiatrists do not accept insurance, which can make visits expensive. Ask about superbill reimbursement. Generic medications are almost always cheaper than brand-name options.
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.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Denver, CO, 82% hold the MD credential and 11% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
28% of psychiatrists in Denver, CO accept Medicare. Medicare covers psychiatric evaluations and medication management visits. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your deductible. 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 & Psychiatrist coverage
Top accepted carriers in Denver, CO include medicare, qhp-17091, unitedhealthcare, qhp-56707, and qhp-68781.
Psychiatry visits are covered under mental health benefits, which parity laws require to be comparable to medical benefits. The initial evaluation is billed at a higher rate than follow-ups. Medication costs vary widely. Ask your psychiatrist about generic alternatives. Many psychiatrists do not accept insurance, so verify network status before booking or ask about superbill reimbursement.
