Denver Family Institute receives referrals from over 100 sources including local mental health centers, Social Services, schools, churches, family support services and private clinicians, as well as former clients and graduates from our training program. Many clients hear about DFI from current and former clients who have benefited from DFI’s mental health services.
The Denver Family Institute formed in 1982 as the Family Therapy Training Center of Colorado in partnership with the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. The clinic began offering client services in 1991. In 2001, the name changed to the Denver Family Institute.
All information provided by you during therapy sessions is legally confidential to persons or agencies outside of therapy. We only share your information with written permission. Information provided during therapy sessions will be available to the treatment team, including other therapists at the DFI Clinic, administrative staff and therapist supervisors. There are certain situations in which your therapist is legally bound to reveal information obtained during therapy to other persons or agencies without your permission. These situations are as follows and apply to all psychotherapists, licensed or unlicensed, providing therapy services in Colorado:
- If your therapist believes that you are an imminent danger to yourself.
- If you threaten grave bodily harm or directly endanger the life of another.
- If your therapist suspects abuse or neglect of any child(ren) or at-risk adult(s).
- If your therapist is ordered to release information by a court of law.
- If you pose a threat to national security.
Therapy sessions at DFI are discreetly recorded for training purposes only.
Each therapy session is approximately 50 minutes. The DFI Clinic offers an unlimited number of therapy sessions to our clients. We don’t set a minimum or maximum number of sessions that you are required to attend. In fact, in Colorado, clients maintain the right to leave therapy at any time for any reason. Because we understand the commitments of time, finances and energy, we generally work from a brief therapy model. However, our therapists can adapt this approach for clients looking for a longer-term therapeutic relationship.
Clients are able to access individual, couples, and family therapy services at DFI. It is not uncommon for clients to work with more than one therapist at DFI, depending on their goals for therapy. For instance, clients may start with couples therapy, and then choose to add individual therapy with a different DFI therapist to support the individual growth and wellbeing of each person in the relationship. Similarly, clients may work with a family therapist as well as an individual therapist in many cases. All of these counseling services are available at the same sliding scale rate. In addition to counseling services, DFI offers resource navigation (case management) services, group therapy, and workshops throughout the year.
At DFI, we believe that families, couples and individuals should determine their own goals for therapy collaboratively with their therapist. Therapists at DFI will work collaboratively and openly with clients to establish a respectful, supportive relationship and ensure that you are working toward meaningful goals together. All therapists at DFI come from a strength-based approach, believing that clients are the true experts on their own lives, and the role of the therapist is to offer guidance and help light the way toward change.
To arrange an appointment, call (303) 756-3340 or complete an intake request form. An intake counselor will be able to tell you more about our program and if it is a fit for you. If you do want to make an appointment, the intake counselor will take down basic information about you and match you with a therapist. The therapist will contact you within 24 hours to schedule your first appointment.
Messages left on our answering machine are confidential and are returned promptly by one of our clinicians. Our clinicians strive to schedule initial appointments promptly after receiving a referral call. We treat all inquiries regarding clinic services with the utmost respect and confidentiality.
DFI’s Clinics are staffed by graduate and post-graduate students enrolled in DFI’s certificate program in Marriage and Family Therapy. Therapists at DFI are highly motivated professionals seeking additional training to specialize in offering strength-based couples and family therapy services. DFI’s faculty supervises the student therapists. Supervisors at DFI are licensed therapists holding approved supervisory status in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, or are candidates to receive AAMFT-approved status in the next 3 years. Clients at DFI benefit from the focused attention and combined experiences of their therapist and their therapist’s clinical supervisors. The DFI MFT Certificate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, 1133 15th Street, NW, Ste. 300, Washington, DC, 20005, (202) 452-0109.
DFI’s office is located at Hamdepn and Yosemite in Southeast Denver. Teletherapy services are available as well. Please visit our Contact Page for more information.
Yes, DFI is located on the 10th floor of the Key Bank building on Yosemite St. There is plenty of free visitor parking in front of and behind the Key Bank building.
