NEWSROOM
Sarah Nagle-Yang, MD and Emily Hemendinger, LCSW, MPH Among 10 CU School of Medicine Clinicians Honored for Promoting Patient-Centered Culture
Jun 23, 2025
One Tail, Two Minds - A New Approach to OCD Treatment
May 23, 2025How a masters level clinician at CU Anschutz and her trained therapy dog are advancing exposure treatment for OCD patients
Honoring Sandy Hook 12 Years Later
Dec 10, 2024December 14th marks 12 years since the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. At the Brain and Behavior Innovation Center (BBICEN) at the Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with the Avielle Initiative and the Jeremy Richman Brain Health Research Endowed Fellowship Fund...
Welcome to the Department of Psychiatry
The Department of Psychiatry is a wide-ranging community of staff and faculty dedicated to our mission. It is comprised of over 300 regular, affiliate, and volunteer clinical faculty, working at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, UCHealth/University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Health Medical Center, and the VA Medical Center, as well as at the Department of Corrections and the Colorado Mental Health Institutes at Pueblo & Ft. Logan. Currently, the general adult psychiatry residency is ACGME accredited for 45 positions, the child and adolescent psychiatry residency is ACGME accredited for 14 positions, the addiction psychiatry fellowship is ACGME accredited for 3 positions, the consult-liaison psychiatry fellowship is ACGME accredited for 3 positions and the forensic psychiatry fellowship is ACGME accredited for 4 positions. The department is dedicated to serving a community in which we value all people and have a continued commitment to this goal in our clinical, research, treatment and educational activities.
Dr. Neill Epperson
Chair, Department of Psychiatry
Our Vision
The CU Department of Psychiatry sets the standard for education and training of leaders in psychiatry and mental health care. We conduct groundbreaking research to alleviate suffering caused by psychiatric and substance use disorders, provide access to state-of-the-art mental health prevention and intervention services, and collaborate with key interested parties to promote well-being across Colorado.
Our Mission
Core Mission: We provide a supportive environment for trainees, faculty, staff, and patients, fostering professional growth and excellence in mental health care. Our department is committed to recruiting highly qualified individuals and creating pathways for retention, career advancement, and success.
Education and Training Mission: Through our educational programs, we train medical students, graduate students, residents, psychology interns, social work interns, advanced practice providers, fellows, and practicing health care professionals to be future leaders across the gamut of mental and behavioral health disciplines. Our goal is to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively deliver available evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes for those with serious mental health disorders and to be well prepared for their chosen career path (e.g., from academic leaders to providers serving the broader Colorado and surrounding communities).
Research Mission: Our interdisciplinary research programs generate new knowledge about the causes of mental illness and substance use disorders. We work to identify, develop, and implement innovative prevention and treatment strategies that enhance quality of life.
Clinical Care Mission: Through state-of-the-art clinical services, we provide a full range of mental and behavioral illness interventions for patients and families. These services include neurobehavioral assessments, psychotherapy, behavioral change strategies, neuromodulation, and psychopharmacology tailored to individual needs.
Community and Advocacy Mission: We collaborate with local communities, affiliated institutions, and government agencies to promote emotional well-being, reduce stigma, and improve access to quality care for individuals and families facing psychiatric disorders.