Telehealth in Colorado: Is It a Fit, and Where Can You Join From?
Short answer
Telehealth therapy can work well for many people in Colorado, but where you are during each session matters. Colorado's licensing agency says licensure is based on the patient's physical location at the time of care, so a Colorado-licensed therapist can generally see you anywhere in the state. Joining from another state brings in that state's rules. A private space, a safety plan and honest talk about fit help video sessions go well.
In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 now (in Colorado it reaches the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line). If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
This guide is not enough if
- You are in crisis right now. Call or text 988, or call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger.
- You will live outside Colorado for months and want ongoing care there. You will likely need a therapist authorized where you live.
- You need a level of care beyond weekly outpatient therapy, such as a hospital or intensive program.
- You want step-by-step help joining a video session. The online therapy page linked below covers that.
Who telehealth tends to suit
Maybe you live far from the office, work long hours, or just talk more easily from home. Video therapy can remove real barriers. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes that virtual appointments may reach people who cannot easily get to in-person care, such as people who cannot drive or who live in remote areas. They do not require travel, are often easier to schedule, and can feel less intimidating.
NIMH also says virtual care can be effective for treating conditions such as anxiety, depression and PTSD. It names the trade-offs too: you need a device and a steady internet connection, and sessions may feel less private if people nearby can see or hear. For a side-by-side look at office and video sessions, see how to find the right therapist in Denver. For how sessions work at this practice, see online therapy in Colorado.
Why your location during the session matters
This is the part many people do not expect. Therapist licenses are issued by states, and Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) states that licensure requirements are determined by the physical location of the patient at the time services are given. If you are in Colorado during a session, your provider needs a Colorado credential or registration, wherever the provider is sitting.
The reverse is true as well. If you are in another state during a session, that state's rules apply. DORA's guidance for Colorado mental health licensees says teletherapy with a client who is vacationing in another state is allowed only if it follows Colorado's teletherapy policy and the therapist meets all requirements of the state the client is visiting. Mountainside offers telehealth by secure video for clients who are located in Colorado.
Interstate compacts: what applies in Colorado today
Interstate compacts are agreements that let some professionals practice across state lines. Colorado has joined several, but they are at very different stages, and only one is in use here today. In plain terms: a Colorado psychologist who holds PSYPACT authority may be able to keep seeing you by video in another PSYPACT state, while a Colorado counselor or social worker generally cannot rely on a compact yet. These programs are changing, so the compact websites are the place to check current status.
- PSYPACT (psychologists): Colorado enacted it in 2018, and it took effect July 1, 2020. Psychologists licensed in a PSYPACT state can apply for an authority to practice telepsychology into other PSYPACT states. It covers psychologists only, and only those who hold that authority.
- Counseling Compact (licensed professional counselors): Colorado is a member state, but the compact is so far live only for licensees in Arizona, Minnesota and Ohio. The compact says counselors must have a license or privilege in the state where the client is located.
- Social Work Licensure Compact: Colorado has passed it. The compact has reached activation status, but multistate licenses are not yet being issued.
- Out-of-state providers seeing Coloradans: since January 1, 2026, DORA offers a telehealth registration for out-of-state mental health providers. Registered providers must tell you where they are located and that they have no physical location in Colorado, and they cannot see you in person here.
College students and travel
If you are a student at a Colorado college, a Colorado-licensed therapist can generally keep seeing you by video wherever you are in the state. Out-of-state school is different. Because the rules follow your location, a Colorado therapist may not be able to keep seeing you once you move, unless they hold a license or compact authority that covers that state. Plan the hand-off before you leave, and ask about breaks, when you may be back in Colorado. Our list of mental health resources for Denver college students may help.
For trips, tell your therapist ahead of time. Depending on where you are going, sessions may need to move, pause or switch to a check-in after you return.
| Where you are during the session | What usually applies | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Anywhere in Colorado | A Colorado-licensed therapist can generally see you | Have a private spot and share your location if asked |
| Visiting another state | That state's rules apply, plus Colorado's teletherapy policy | Tell your therapist before you go; sessions may move or pause |
| Living out of state for school | Your therapist needs a license or authority in that state | Plan a hand-off or a local therapist before you leave |
| Seeing a psychologist across state lines | Possible through PSYPACT if the psychologist holds that authority | Check the PSYPACT authorization holder directory |
| Seeing a counselor or social worker across state lines | The compacts are passed in Colorado but not yet usable here | Expect the provider to need a license where you are |
Making home private enough
A private space matters as much as a good connection. NIMH notes that some people feel uncomfortable on camera at home, especially when a provider can see their surroundings. Beyond the basics on the telehealth page, a few steps can help:
- Use a personal device and account rather than a shared family computer or a work laptop that may be monitored.
- Let people at home know you need a set time without interruptions, and put a fan or white noise device outside the door.
- Choose a background you are comfortable showing, or sit facing a wall.
- For teens, agree as a family on where sessions happen and that no one listens in. Our guide to therapy confidentiality in Colorado explains what stays private.
Safety planning on video
If you are in crisis during or between sessions, call or text 988, or call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger. Do not wait for your next appointment. Our Denver mental health resources page lists more options.
Video therapy needs a plan for emergencies because your therapist is not in the room. The American Psychological Association's 2024 telepsychology guidelines describe informed consent that covers where you will be for sessions, emergency procedures and privacy expectations. They also describe documenting the client's physical location, local safety resources and any crisis or safety plan. That is why many therapists ask where you are at the start of each video session and keep an emergency contact on file.
When in-person may fit better
Telehealth is not right for every person or every season. You may do better in an office if you have no private place to talk, your connection is unreliable, or you simply open up more in the room. APA's guidelines describe an ongoing check on whether telehealth is still a good way to deliver care, so it is fine to raise this at any point. Some people mix the two. The practice also sees clients in person at its office in Greenwood Village.
Payment usually works the same way for video and office sessions; see paying for therapy: insurance vs self-pay. If you are ready to talk it through, a free consultation is a good place to start, or you can request a consultation directly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep seeing my Colorado therapist while I travel out of state?
Sometimes, but not always. DORA's guidance says teletherapy with a client vacationing in another state must follow Colorado's teletherapy policy and meet all requirements of the state the client is visiting. Those rules differ by state and by profession, so tell your therapist about trips ahead of time. They can tell you whether sessions can continue or should wait until you are back.
Is Colorado part of PSYPACT?
Yes. According to PSYPACT, Colorado enacted the compact in 2018 and it became effective July 1, 2020. It lets psychologists licensed in a PSYPACT state apply for authority to practice telepsychology into other PSYPACT states. It applies only to psychologists who hold that authority, not to counselors, social workers or marriage and family therapists.
Can my Colorado counselor see me in another state through the Counseling Compact?
Not yet. Colorado is a member of the Counseling Compact, but the compact currently lists only Arizona, Minnesota and Ohio as live for licensees. Until Colorado is active, a Colorado counselor would need a license or other authorization in the state where you are located to see you there.
Why does my therapist ask where I am at the start of every video session?
Two reasons. In Colorado, licensure depends on where the client is physically located during the session, so your therapist needs to know which state's rules apply. Your location also matters for safety: APA's telepsychology guidelines describe recording the client's location and local emergency resources so help can reach you quickly if it is ever needed.
Can a therapist in another state see me while I live in Colorado?
Yes, in some cases. The therapist can hold a Colorado license, use a compact authority such as PSYPACT, or, since January 1, 2026, hold a DORA telehealth registration for out-of-state providers. Registered providers must tell you where they are located and that they have no physical location in Colorado, and they cannot provide in-person services here.
Next: talk it through
When you are ready, read more about Online Therapy & Telehealth in Colorado, or book a free 15-minute consultation to ask your questions.
Sources
- Colorado DORA: Out-of-State Telehealth Providers FAQs (SB24-141)
- Colorado DORA: Mental Health FAQs (teletherapy)
- PSYPACT: PSYPACT map and participating states
- PSYPACT: About
- Counseling Compact: Compact map
- Social Work Licensure Compact: About and current status
- NIMH: What is telemental health?
- American Psychological Association: Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology (2024)
Recent changes
- January 1, 2026: Colorado began offering telehealth registrations to out-of-state mental health providers who treat patients located in Colorado (SB24-141). Registered providers must disclose their location and cannot provide in-person care in Colorado. Colorado DORA: Out-of-State Telehealth Providers FAQs
- September 30, 2025: The Counseling Compact opened its first privilege-to-practice applications, starting with Arizona and Minnesota. Colorado is a member state but not yet live. Counseling Compact: FAQ
Clinically reviewed by Emily Biggs-Heisler, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director and Co-Owner (Colorado psychologist license PSY 6010) on November 8, 2026. Facts checked against the sources above on November 8, 2026. This guide is general education, not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan. It does not create a therapist-client relationship. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed clinician.