1

Unlicensed Psychotherapy Main

Welcome to the Colorado Unlicensed Psychotherapy Homepage

Program Information

Reina Sbarbaro-Gordon, Program Director

State Board of Unlicensed Psychotherapists
1560 Broadway, Suite 1350
Denver, CO 80202

Phone: 303-894-7800  |  Fax: 303-894-7764

Email: dora_mentalhealthboard@state.co.us

Public Notice Information

Colorado State Board of Unlicensed Psychotherapists – Permanent Rulemaking Hearing – October 17, 2025

The purpose of this Permanent Rulemaking Hearing is to allow stakeholders a final opportunity to testify before the Board determines on revisions to Rule 1.17 – CONCERNING HEALTH CARE PROVIDER DISCLOSURES TO CONSUMERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF RECEIVING EMERGENCY OR NONEMERGENCY SERVICES FROM AN OUT-OF-NETWORK PROVIDER and APPENDIX B – YOUR RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS. The purpose of the proposed rules is to establish requirements for health-care providers to disclose to covered persons who are utilizing a health benefit plan about the potential of “balance billing” when receiving 1) post-stabilization services or 2) covered non-emergency services from an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility.

View the larger calendar here.

Additional Program and Division Information

Regulation History and Board Member Information

Regulation History:

  • 1988: The Division begins registering Unlicensed Psychotherapists.
  • 2016: Unlicensed Psychotherapist are officially referred to as "Registered Psychotherapists".
  • 2022: Formerly referred to as "Registered Psychotherapists", HB22-1307 clarifies and returns the reference to "Unlicensed Psychotherapist". Additionally, the process for registering new Unlicensed Psychotherapists is discontinued. Existing Unlicensed Psychotherapists can continue to renew the registration.

To learn more about the Division History please review the Regulation Dates By Profession pamphlet.

Board Members:

  • Patrick Bennett, ULP
    Professional Member | Term Expires: July 1, 2026
  • Ryan Clay, ULP
    Professional Member | Term Expires:  July 1, 2028
  • Holly Duckworth, ULP 
    Professional Member | Term Expires: July 1, 2026
  • Lesli Hirokawa
    Public Member | Term Expires: July 1, 2027
  • Jennifer Salagaj
    Public Member | Term Expires: July 1, 2028
  • Savannah Salas, ULP
    Professional Member | Term Expires:  July 1, 2028
  • Tomeka Speller, ULP
    Professional Member | Term Expires: July 1, 2029

Legislative Updates

The Division of Professions and Occupations regulates more than 450,000 licensees, certificate holders and registrants. Each year, the General Assembly passes legislation directly impacting those populations. Many bills then require rulemaking or other policy updates by the Division or Boards in order to implement these changes. All relevant bills from the most recent legislative session have been combined onto a single webpage for easy access here. We encourage all licensees to read all bills directly impacting their profession(s). You may access the individual bills and summaries by visiting the link below:

Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations

On June 4, 2024, Governor Polis signed HB24-1004 Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations into law. Under this bill, if an applicant for a registration, certification, or license has a conviction for a crime, a regulator may only consider the applicant’s conviction for a three-year period beginning on the date of conviction or the end of incarceration, if the applicant has not been convicted of any other criminal offense during the three-year period. To learn more about this law and about how it may effect your application, please visit the Ex-Offenders Practice in Regulated Occupations information webpage.

Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) is a statewide program administered by the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) that provides survivors of domestic violence, sexual offenses, and/or stalking with a legal substitute address for interacting with all state and local government agencies. To learn more about the ACP and how it can assist you in your licensure, please visit the Address Confidentiality Program information webpage.

Interested in Board Service?

Board services is an essential need for all Boards within the Division of Professions and Occupations. If you are interested in participating in Board Service or would like more information please complete the Board Service Interest Form and you will join the list of available contacts for substitute board positions.

You may also view the Benefits of Board Service video to learn more.