Teen Mental Health Resources in Denver

“When your teen is struggling, it is important to find the right support that honors and celebrates who they are. In our guide, you’ll find a wide range of Queer-specialized, mental health services in Denver.”
— Sharon F. Hester, MS, LPC, LAC

Warning Signs Your Teen is Struggling

Sometimes it’s obvious when your teen needs support, but not always. Here are some common warning signs your teen might be struggling with suicidal thoughts and/or depression.

  • Your teen doesn’t want to spend time with their friends

  • Your teen stops doing activities they normally enjoy

  • Your teen’s grades go down

  • Your teen’s relationship with food changes

  • Your teen is getting in trouble at school

Teen therapy resources

11 highly recommended teen therapists and services in Denver

Finding the right support can sometimes feel like a daunting task, especially when it comes to the mental health of ourselves or our loved ones. We understand the importance of finding the right fit for support and believe that everyone deserves to have access to the best care possible. That's why we've included some helpful information for potential clients who might be unsure whether or not our practice is the right fit for their needs. For example, you may be looking for higher level support, such as residential treatment, or more specialized support, such as play therapy or eating disorder treatment. Below we have provided some helpful resources that may be of use to you. Above all, our goal is to help you navigate this process so that you can find the most effective support possible for your unique situation and your child's or family's needs.

USING THIS GUIDE

These are therapists and services with whom we have spoken to representatives of and asked about their queer support services. Please keep in mind, that providers and care specialists come and go and each provider needs to be vetted by you to make sure they are affirming in their care. Please use this guide as a starting place, but know you will still need to ask questions to ensure a good fit for your child.

Resources by Category

Sometimes we all need a bit more support than weekly online or in-person therapy sessions. If your teen is experiencing acute behavioral issues or life threatening symptoms, they may need more intensive support. Residential treatment can be a great spring board for your teen to help them get their feet under themselves and your family to find healthy coping strategies to support your adolescent child.

    • Services offered: Provide help for children 12-18 years old. Inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, crisis services.

    • Location: Multiple locations in the Denver Metro area.

    • More Information: https://denversprings.com/child-adolescent/

    • Partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient treatment and residential care for adolescents

    • Out of state residential treatment options for substance abuse/addiction, OCD and anxiety, depression, eating disorders

    • Denver location: 10333 E Dry Creek Road, Suite 350, Englewood, CO 80112

    • More information and to schedule a free screening: https://rogersbh.org/locations/denver-co

In a 2022 research brief, researchers found that "LGBTQ young people experience significantly greater rates of both eating disorders and attempting suicide compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers" (Johns et al., 2020; Parker & Harriger, 2020). If your teen is struggling with disordered eating, we know how stressful and alarming that can be. To be clear, being LGBTQ is not the problem. The problem that we live in a world that is actively homo-negative and transphobic. This hate and negative causes pain, stress, other challenges that impact mental health. For some, using food to comfort and soothe is an adaptive way to survive. However, it can come with significant health risks that may threaten the life or wellbeing of your teen. If your teen is experiencing disordered eating, here are 2 treatment options in the Denver metro area that specialize in this treatment.

For younger teens or tweens, you may consider finding a play therapist that utilizes play and activities as part of the therapeutic process. Play therapy can be helpful in addressing depression and anxiety as well as teach your teen new skills to cope with life stressors.

    • Services offered include: Supportive therapuetic options for queer youth ages 10-24, friends, family, and supportive allies. Individual therapy, group therapy, mentorship programs, and education offered.

    • Location: Denver, Colorado. In-person, online, and in-home services.

    • https://www.joyasresistance.org/ourservices

    • Services: LGBTQ+ Mental Health for couples, families, teens, children, and adults. Therapists at Cairn Counseling offer a variety of therapeutic approaches such as trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). For a full list of therapeutic approaches offered visit: https://www.cairncounselingdenver.com/approaches

    • Location: 190 East 9TH Ave, Denver, CO 80203. Available both in-person and online

    • https://www.cairncounselingdenver.com/

Sometimes getting everyone in the room together is what is needed when your teen is struggling. After all, none of us live in a vacuum. It's normal that we all have patterns and cycles of relating that sometimes get us stuck, and we miss each other. To address the relational patterns that may be blocking or preventing your teen from reaching out or from you being able to show up in the ways you long to support your teen, family therapy is a great resource! In Denver and beyond, we have wonderful family therapists who specialize in family therapy and can support your whole family or a few of your family members together in family therapy sessions.

    • Services offered include: LGBTQQIA+ mental health and substance abuse psychotherapy for teens, adults, and their loved ones

    • Family support options include: Therapy and “coaching” for the parents/caregivers/guardians/spouses/siblings/etc. of LGBTQQIA+ youth and young adults

    • In practice for 8 Years

    • Location: 14201 East 4th Avenue, Suite 4-240, Aurora, CO 80011 Denver, Colorado. In-person and online therapy appointments.

    • More information: https://www.cassdaniels.com/

    • Services offered include: Queer Allied and Racial Justice Allied therapy for adults, couples families, children, pre-teens. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Somatic Psychotherapy approaches offered.

    • Family support options include: family therapy, supporting teens and their families specifically through family conflicts

    • Over 10 years in practice

    • Location: 10069 North 65th Street, Longmont, CO 80503. In-person and online therapy appointments.

    • More information here

    • Therapy services offered include: couples, individual and family therapy. Therapists at Lumen are committed to providing a culturally responsive, racially conscious, LGBTQ+ and trans/non-binary affirming therapy space for clients

    • Family therapy options based in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT). Lumen’s counselors are trained in emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and use this therapeutic approach to support families

    • Location: Denver Metro Area, Colorado 80211

    • More information: https://lumentherapyservices.com/

If cost of services is a barrier to accessing supports for your teen, there are some resources in Denver and across Colorado that provide affordable teen therapy. Here are the affordable teen therapy resources we know of and have spoken to representatives from. As we learn of more, we will add them to this list.

    • Services offered include: LGBTQQIA+ mental health services, educational trainings, community programs, and groups for teens, adults, and their loved ones

    • Started in 2014

    • Location: 1575 Franklin Street Denver, CO 80218. In-person and online therapy appointments.

    • More information: https://queerasterisk.com/

    • Services offered include: an innovative program that matches children and youth, ages 19 and younger, who are at risk for suicide and do not have the means or adequate insurance for necessary mental health treatment.

    • Family support options include: navigation services

    • Started in 2002

    • Location: 303 E 17th Ave, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203

    • More information: https://thesecondwindfund.org/

Give your queer teen the support they need to thrive.

Navigating the teenage years can be a challenging and overwhelming experience for both teens and their parents. That's why our private practice, Rooted Acorn Counseling, offers specialized therapy services for teenagers, providing support and guidance during this crucial stage of development. Our teen therapist, Sharon Hester, is trained to address a variety of issues that teens may face, and also offer support to parents who may be struggling to understand and communicate with their teenager.

  • Our teen therapist provides individual therapy sessions tailored to the specific needs of each teenager. This one-on-one approach allows teens to open up in a safe and confidential environment, where they can explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Our teen therapist uses evidence-based techniques to help teens develop coping skills, manage stress, improve self-esteem, and navigate challenges such as peer pressure, life stressors, or academic challenges.

  • In addition to individual therapy, our private practice also offers family therapy sessions for teenagers and their parents. These sessions aim to improve communication within the family unit and strengthen relationships between parents and their teen. Our therapists work with families to identify patterns of interaction that may be causing conflict or tension, and provide tools, coping strategies, for more effective communication and problem-solving.

  • We understand that parenting a teenager can be an overwhelming experience at times. That's why our teen therapist also offers support specifically for parents. Through education on adolescent development, guidance on setting boundaries, and strategies for effective communication with your teenager, we aim to empower parents with the tools they need to better support their child during this transitional period.

  • Our teen therapists are well-connected within the community and can provide referrals for additional services if needed. This may include academic support resources, substance abuse treatment programs, or specialized therapy services such as art or music therapy.

Rooted Acorn Counseling can support you and your teen to access resources and care that fits!

Confused about where to start? It’s hard knowing what might be the best fit for your teen and what level of care they need. We understand how hard it is! We’re here to answer your questions and navigate the process with you. Working with our teen therapist means you and your teen have the support you need for navigating all the different care options and resources out there! Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation!