Qualifications

Michael E. Holtby, LCSW, BCD

DenverPsychotherapy.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

I started my career in juvenile corrections, working in institutions for delinquent adolescents, both as a counselor and supervisor. After receiving a master's degree in social work from the University of Washington in 1972, I taught at the college level in England. Upon my return I worked as a group therapy specialist for two mental health centers, and became the director of an inpatient adult psychiatric program in Pueblo, Colorado. I also taught psychology at Arapaho Community College; and conducted groups for Mt. Airy Psychiatric Center and Professional Counseling and Psychological Services in Denver.

Since 1977, I have been in a full-time private practice in Denver, Colorado. I currently conduct two - three weekly psychotherapy groups, and see individuals and couples. I have a busy practice, often with a waiting list. I also conduct a Diversion Program for the Denver City Attorney's Office. As of 2005 I have been retained as a clinical consultant for the Division of Disease Control & Epidemiology, for the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. I am providing clinical consultation to the Prevention Case Managers and Disease Intervention Specialists (who deal with sexaully transmitted disease cases).

I am a past member of preferred provider panels for 30 managed health care organizations. However, as of May 1^st, 1996 I resigned from all of them and run an out of network, cash practice. By doing so my clients' confidentiality is assured, my loyalties are not split with insurance companies, and I avoid the inevitable ethical binds required of providers by managed health care. To make this possible for my clients I have reduced my fees by a third.

I have written over seventy articles in professional journals, as well as for the popular media. I have two chapters in a book published by Haworth Press in 1999: HIV & Mental Health: Clinical & Policy Issues, edited by Michael Shernoff. From 1994 to 1999 I wrote Shrink Rap, a regular column in Colorado's award winning AIDS newsletter, Resolute! I have conducted numerous workshops and seminars at national conferences, and recently did presentations in Baltimore, Maryland, for the University of Plymouth, England, and the Colorado Medical Center on a panel with the Medical Attache from the Netherlands. I have also been a regular guest on the Andria Van Steenhouse and Audre Brodt Shows on AM radio, and in August, 2000 was featured on Toronto television on the subject of "reparative" therapy (I don't believe it works).

I have been sited as "Best Psychotherapist" by the readers of Out Front Colorado for the years 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. In 2001 I also received the Colorado Community Service Award from P-FLAG, and was recognized in a resolution before Denver's City Council for my work as a psychotherapist within Denver's GLBT community.

You may also be interested in my other career, which will give you a view of the world through my eyes:

Last messed with June 3rd, 2005