The grand opening of St. Raphael Counseling’s new Westminster clinic brought together community leaders, healthcare professionals and supporters who share a common goal: expanding access to quality mental health care for individuals and families throughout the region.
For Albert Pace, clinical director at St. Raphael Counseling, the new location represents an important step in making faithful, high-quality mental health care more accessible throughout Colorado.
“The new office in Westminster allows St. Raphael to bring excellent Catholic mental healthcare to the North Metro area of Denver,” Albert said. “It’s part of our larger vision as a clinic to increase accessibility of quality and faithful mental health services across Colorado and the Denver metro area.”
Among those in attendance were representatives from CommonSpirit Health’s St. Anthony North Hospital, a longtime healthcare provider serving communities across the north metro Denver area.
“We were very glad to be invited and to be included,” said Kevin Molloy, director of mission integration at St. Anthony North and Longmont United Hospitals. “It’s a good partner in our Catholic health care ecosystem. So very grateful to be partners.”
The event provided an opportunity for community healthcare leaders to tour the new clinic, meet St. Raphael Counseling staff and learn more about the services available to individuals, couples, families and children.
“It was great to meet the team and see the space,” Kevin said. “We know that in this service area, especially in this area of Westminster, there’s a high need for quality mental health services. And it’s great to see an organization opening up whose mission is to see folks regardless of their ability to pay. As a Catholic hospital, that is also our mission to include everyone in our care. And so it’s a great partner to have in the area.”
St. Raphael Counseling helps make therapy more accessible through the McCabe Fund, a charitable fund established by Steve Fleischer to assist individuals and families for whom the cost of counseling would otherwise be a barrier. The fund helps cover therapy costs for those without the financial means to pay and can also assist with insurance co-pays, ensuring more people can receive the care they need regardless of their financial circumstances.
Ivy Donaldson, director of behavioral health and education for St. Anthony North Family Medicine, echoed those sentiments and highlighted the growing need for mental health services throughout the community.
“I’m really excited that there is another organization with well-trained therapists who are excited to support community members,” Ivy said. “There’s such a need for mental health support, especially now, as we’re seeing people struggle with insurance and benefits. So, to know that there’s another source for a range of people to have better access to mental health care is really exciting.”
For more than 50 years, St. Anthony North has served patients and families in the region through its healthcare facilities and programs. Kevin noted the organization’s longstanding commitment to caring for the community.
“Common Spirit St. Anthony North Hospital has been in this community for over 50 years,” Kevin said. “We have our legacy site at 84th and Federal, which has a family medicine practice and freestanding emergency department. And then our main campus of St. Anthony North Hospital on 144th is a total service provider in our community, a Catholic hospital in a system of Catholic hospitals here in Colorado.”
As the largest Catholic therapy practice in the country, St. Raphael Counseling continues to expand access to mental health care through its growing network of clinics and Telehealth services. The Westminster location joins six other clinic locations across Colorado, helping connect more individuals and families with compassionate, professional support.
Michelle Connor Harris, executive director of St. Raphael Counseling, said the Westminster office also strengthens opportunities to collaborate with other Catholic healthcare providers while serving the growing communities along the Denver-Boulder corridor.
“We are excited to bring trusted mental health services to the vibrant Catholic communities along the Denver-Boulder corridor with the opening of our Westminster office,” Michelle said. “Collaborating with the providers at Common Spirit is a welcome benefit of this new location!”
Ivy believes the new clinic will be a valuable resource for patients seeking care close to home.
“I’d be very happy to include St. Raphael Counseling as an option for our patients who are really looking for some mental health care,” Ivy said. “I think it would be accessible and it’s local. And so they’d be another great addition to the resources we have for our community.”
The shared commitment to serving all people, regardless of their circumstances, reflects the mission-driven approach both organizations bring to healthcare and healing.
As community partnerships continue to strengthen, St. Raphael Counseling remains focused on its mission of providing hope, healing and accessible mental health care to those who need it most.
To learn more about St. Raphael Counseling or schedule a free 15-minute no-risk consultation, visit straphaelcounseling.com or call (720) 377-1359.