Benefits of Membership in
Colorado Association of Psychotherapists

Unlicensed psychotherapists and complementary psychotherapies are gaining greater acceptance in the community and among professionals. In the 1980s legislation was enacted that protects the rights of those psychotherapists who choose not to be licensed to practice as psychotherapists and to insure that consumers have a choice among practitioners. In 2004 this law was basically reenacted to be in effect until the year 2011. CAP has been critically involved in the legislative and political processes that have assured continuation of this law.

Your membership dues help ensure the continuation of our lobbying efforts to protect the rights of unlicensed psychotherapists in Colorado, and the public’s right to choose the therapeutic approach that works best for them. You help to create the vision and spread the word, your membership and participation in CAP are essential in our ongoing service to our clients and the community.

Consider all the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists offers you:

A Voice with the Legislature and the Dept of Regulatory Agencies

By supporting CAP as a member you are protecting your right to practice psychotherapy. Ninety percent of your membership dues go to pay for the costs of our lobbyist and the networking and legislative activities of our Board. You join with others as a voice advocating the continuation of laws allowing consumers the freedom to choose, with safety, from among licensed and unlicensed practitioners.

CAP employs a respected lobbyist at the state capital whose job is to see that any bill impacting consumers or our right to practice is brought to CAP's attention immediately. He monitors legislative activity both during the regular legislative session from January through May and during Interim when various legislative study committees and other efforts are underway to develop legislation for the next session.

By supporting CAP as a member you have a voice in the development of laws and regulations that govern your practice. For example, our CAP President recently participated in a rewrite of the state Jurisprudence exam, offering our perspective on fairness and ethics.We keep you up-to-date on these important developments affecting your practice through email and legislative updates on our website.

Networking and Education

Our goals include providing continuing education for unlicensed psychotherapists in the state of Colorado and the encouragement and promotion of competence and ethical conduct among members in the practice of psychotherapy. Towards these goals, we have sponsored the development of regional CAPStone groups which offer you education, support, and networking opportunities.

Psychotherapy can be an isolating profession and we all need each others’ encouragement and support. We now have active groups in Denver, Aurora, Northern Colorado, Longmont, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Lakewood. CAPStone members' meetings provide member support through networking and educational opportunities throughout the year. At our Boulder, Longmont and Northern Colorado groups we have been able to showcase the work of a Sensory Motor Integration psychotherapist, a Hakomi practitioner, a Play Therapy psychotherapist, a Gestalt psychotherapist, a Jungian Dream psychotherapist and a Hypnotherapist. We have planned programs by a psychotherapist who works in a Shamanic model and one who does Body Alignment Technique.

In addition, through CAP's networking with other practitioner groups, including licensed psychotherapy organizations, you participate in a larger collective voice addressing professional issues and consumers’ rights.

Support of your practice

The Colorado Association of Psychotherapists is working hard to support you and your practice and to insure the viability and availability of complimentary therapeutic methods and theories in Colorado. This website has a searchable member data base. As a member of CAP, you can increase your credibility and visibility by offering your services through our website. You can create and manage your own profile, visible to the public.  You can customize your entry by adding a photo and advertise workshops or special services.

If you or your organization has a website, you may now place a button or banner indicating your membership in or association with the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists.  This will further enhance your credibility in the eyes of the public and those who may be seeking your services.  Several options are available to meet your needs.  To find out more, go to: http://www.coloradopsychotherapists.com/links.htm 

CAP also offers our members referrals to sources of effective and reasonably priced malpractice and health insurance for self-employed Psychotherapists and we are currently organizing consultation and supervision groups to support ongoing professional growth.