Licensed professionals are licensed by the state of Colorado through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Essentially, licensure indicates that your therapist has completed a set of standards (exams, supervised hours of work, specific academic degrees) to the satisfaction of DORA. Registered psychotherapists are not licensed or certified by the state, and no degree, training or experience is required.

Beyond licensure, the academic and clinical training of therapists varies. LPCs, LCSWs, and LMFTs have obtained a Master’s (M.A.) level degree education in one of many mental health related fields such as psychology and social work (SW). Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MD) with specialized training in mental health related issues. Most frequently, psychiatrists are primarily involved with the prescription of psychotropic (mental health related) medications. However, some of these professionals also engage in some degree of psychotherapy with their clients… it depends!

Psychologists are doctoral (Psy.D. or Ph.D.) level degreed individuals who are licensed. The term “psychologist” is a licensed term and may not be used by those who are not licensed through the state of Colorado. “Psychotherapist” is a broad term for an individual engaged in providing counseling or therapy services.

PhoenixRISE is dedicated to accessibility for the community. As such, we do not work as an “in-network” provider for any insurance company. This might seem odd in light of being “accessible.” Allow us to explain… Our primary focus in our work with clients is satisfaction with our services, not being experts at submitting insurance claims. We will provide you with necessary information and succinct billing statements such that you can submit claims to your insurance company for “out of network” reimbursement if you are so eligible. Therapy sessions of 45 – 50 minutes are billed at a rate of $ 120-$ 165/hour depending on which provider you see. You will find that this fee is slightly lower than the average “going rate” for other psychologists or doctoral level practitioners in the Denver metro area. Additionally, we offer a limited sliding scale fee structure to some clients based on financial need. 

Dr. Burgamy: “Endeavoring to become a psychologist is not something I have taken lightly. I believe in the power of psychotherapy to create and sustain lasting change – change that brings you closer to your own goals, values and sense of life fulfillment. The promise of such change and movement toward a better life is a central reason I have been involved in the behavioral wellness and mental health field for over 20 years.

Many people ask what motivated me to want to dedicate my professional life to helping other people make significant changes in their lives, cope with grief and loss, relationship stress, depression, anxiety, life transitions, identity conflicts, health concerns, and struggles with the challenges life can bring. To some, this seems an odd job – to want to focus time and effort on the very things that make so many people unhappy. I consider nothing to be more powerful, more fulfilling and worthwhile than being actively involved in another’s personal evolution.”

Dr. Burgamy: “Expertise to do the work of helping others is not something only acquired through standard instruction. Not to be misunderstood, ongoing, in-depth training and dedicated study are central to engaging in competent practice. This is the express reason I committed myself to acquiring a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and, not only participating in continuing education in my field but, creating it for other providers. Returning to my earlier point, training alone is not always enough to be effective in such important work. In addition to my educational pursuits, I stay active in the Colorado, national and international psychology communities as a former president and ongoing member of the Colorado Psychological Association (CPA), a member of governing bodies for the American Psychological Association (APA), a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), a member of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, and as a speaker, trainer and consultant on diversity concerns across the country. I maintain an active approach to professional development. In other words, I hold that there is no such thing as ever being “done” obtaining expertise and proficiency in something so complex as helping people build meaningful lives.”

No “one size fits all” method of therapy or counseling exists or should exist. People are dynamic. Especially important to us, and this practice, is competent and valued work with individuals who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, transgender, gender nonbinary, gender diverse, and those who are questioning.

Dr. Burgamy: “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I am committed to quality work within my own community. As someone born and raised in Colorado, I have a uniquely extensive understanding of our local community, concerns, politics, and challenges.”