The Colorado Therapy Disclosure Statement, Line by Line

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The form in your intake packet

Before your first session you may get a stack of forms to read and sign. One of them is required by Colorado law: the mental health disclosure statement. It is easy to skim past, but it is written for you, not for the therapist.

C.R.S. 12-245-216 says every licensee, registrant and certificate holder under the Mental Health Practice Act must give each client this information in writing during the initial client contact. That covers licensed psychologists, social workers, counselors and marriage and family therapists, candidates working toward a license, unlicensed psychotherapists listed in the state database, and certified addiction counselors.

The statement does two jobs. It tells you who you are working with, and it lists rights you have no matter which therapist you choose.

What Colorado law says the statement must include

This list follows the statute text. Your therapist's form may use different wording or add more, but it should cover each point.

• The therapist's name, business address and business phone number.
• Their degrees, credentials, certifications, registrations and licenses, including the education, experience and training each one required.
• A statement that psychotherapy by licensed or registered people is regulated by DORA's Division of Professions and Occupations, with the address and phone number of the board that regulates this therapist.
• That you are entitled to information about the methods of therapy, the techniques used, the expected length of therapy if known, and the fee structure.
• That you may seek a second opinion from another therapist or end therapy at any time.
• That sexual intimacy is never appropriate in a professional relationship and should be reported to the board.
• That what you share in sessions is legally confidential, except as C.R.S. 12-245-220 allows and for certain legal exceptions the therapist will identify if one comes up.
• For an unlicensed psychotherapist, a statement that they are listed in the state database and allowed to practice, but are not licensed and were not required to meet standardized education or testing requirements.
• That your records may not be kept after seven years.
• Since August 12, 2026, written information about Colorado's limits on using artificial intelligence in psychotherapy (C.R.S. 12-245-224.5).

How to read it before you sign

Take the credentials line first. Look the therapist up on DORA and make sure the license or registration matches what the form says. The license check guide shows how.

Next, find the board's address and phone number. That is where a complaint would go, so it is worth keeping. Then read the confidentiality line closely. It points to exceptions in the law, such as serious threats of harm. The therapy confidentiality guide explains them in plain terms.

The records line can surprise people. C.R.S. 12-245-226 gives adult clients seven years to file a complaint about record keeping, and requires therapists to tell clients in writing that records may not be kept after that period. If you might want your records later, ask for a copy before then.

The fee line tells you that you can ask about cost. It is not the same as a written estimate. If you are paying on your own, you may be able to get a separate written Good Faith Estimate; the Good Faith Estimate guide explains it.

Finally, keep a signed copy for yourself. A photo on your phone works.

Questions to ask if a line is unclear

The statute gives you the right to information about methods, techniques, the expected length of therapy and fees. That makes questions part of the process, not an imposition. Therapists usually welcome them, and a few short ones can clear up most of the form.

• "What kind of therapy do you plan to use with me, and why that one?"
• "How long do you expect this to take, and how will we know it is helping?"
• "What is your fee for each type of session, and how do you handle missed appointments?"
• "Which confidentiality exceptions are most likely to come up for someone in my situation?"
• "Who else can see my records, such as a supervisor or a billing service?"
• "Do you use any AI tools for notes, recording or scheduling?"
• "How do I end therapy, or ask for a referral, if it is not a good fit?"

Signing, teens and special settings

The law says you, or a parent or guardian, should sign the disclosure form no later than the second visit, unless you are unable to write, or you refuse or object. If you have no written language or cannot read, the therapist must explain it out loud along with the written copy.

For teens, the form goes to whoever is consenting to care. If a minor is consenting to their own mental health services under Colorado law, the disclosure is made to the minor. If a parent or guardian is consenting, it goes to them. The confidentiality guide covers what Colorado law says about teens, parents and privacy.

Some settings do not require the form: an emergency, a court order or involuntary procedure, an evaluation done only for forensic purposes, and therapy in a licensed hospital. In residential, institutional or other settings where several providers may treat you, the primary therapist gives the disclosure.

When something on the form looks wrong

A few things are worth pausing on: no written disclosure at all outside the settings above, credentials that do not match DORA's records, or pressure to sign before you have read it. A careful therapist will slow down and answer your questions.

If you believe a professional broke the law or board rules, you can file a complaint with DORA (opens in a new tab) online or by mail. DORA accepts anonymous complaints but encourages you to give contact details. It also says the professional will typically get a copy of the complaint and what you send with it.

The disclosure statement is separate from a practice's website privacy policy. Mountainside's privacy policy explains how its website handles information such as contact forms and cookies, and it says it applies only to online activity. Questions about what happens during therapy belong with your therapist and the disclosure statement.

If you are ready to start, you can contact Mountainside to set up a free 15-minute consultation. For general questions about how the practice works, see its therapy FAQ.

Frequently asked questions