Finding the right psychiatric care can be one of the most important decisions you make for your mental health. At Cottonwood Psychiatry, Dr. Colleen McGuire provides compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric services to adults in Aurora and the surrounding communities. Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, or other mental health concerns, Dr. McGuire works closely with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan that supports long-term well-being.
Dr. McGuire brings a collaborative approach to psychiatric care, combining medication management with a range of different therapeutic options. Her goal is to help patients build insight, develop practical coping skills, and move toward a fuller, more meaningful life. Appointments are available via telehealth for the convenience of Aurora residents.
About Aurora, CO
Aurora is Colorado’s third-largest city and one of the most culturally diverse communities in the Rocky Mountain region. Situated just east of Denver, where the urban landscape gives way to the wide-open High Plains, Aurora spans portions of Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties and is home to more than 380,000 residents. The city’s population reflects an extraordinary range of backgrounds, languages, and traditions, making it one of the most ethnically varied cities in the entire state. This diversity is a defining strength of Aurora and shapes the character of its neighborhoods, schools, restaurants, and community organizations.
The city also offers a remarkable quality of life for those who call it home. Outdoor enthusiasts have access to Cherry Creek State Park, a 4,200-acre reservoir and recreation area that draws hikers, cyclists, kayakers, and wildlife watchers throughout the year. The Aurora Reservoir also provides another popular destination for fishing, paddleboarding, and open-water swimming.
Despite its many strengths, Aurora is not immune to the mental health challenges that affect communities across the country. Rapid population growth, economic inequality, housing affordability pressures, and the stressors associated with immigration and resettlement all contribute to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma in portions of the population. Access to skilled, culturally sensitive psychiatric care is essential in a community as complex and dynamic as Aurora. Dr. Colleen McGuire is committed to meeting that need by providing individualized, evidence-based mental health treatment.
Medication Management
Psychiatric medication, when prescribed thoughtfully, can be a powerful tool for stabilizing mood, reducing anxiety, improving focus, and alleviating symptoms that make it difficult to function day-to-day. To begin, Dr. McGuire conducts thorough psychiatric evaluations to understand each patient’s history, current symptoms, and treatment goals before recommending any medication. This evaluation process considers factors such as previous medication experiences, medical history, lifestyle, and personal preferences.
Once a medication plan is in place, Dr. McGuire provides ongoing monitoring to assess effectiveness and adjust dosages as needed. She takes time to explain how medications work, what to expect during the adjustment period, and how to recognize side effects. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and participate actively in decisions about their care. The goal is never to simply prescribe and move on, but to maintain an ongoing dialogue that ensures each patient feels informed, supported, and confident in their treatment.
Therapy
Therapy is a cornerstone of comprehensive psychiatric care. While medication can address the neurobiological aspects of mental illness, therapy helps patients understand their patterns of thinking, develop healthier behaviors, process past experiences, and build the internal resources needed to navigate life’s challenges. Dr. McGuire integrates several evidence-based therapeutic approaches into her practice, tailoring the method to each patient’s unique needs and goals.
Many patients benefit most from a combination of medication and therapy, while others find that therapy alone provides the support they need. Dr. McGuire will work collaboratively with you to determine the right balance and adapt the approach over time as circumstances change.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, commonly known as CBT, is one of the most extensively researched and widely practiced forms of psychotherapy. It is based on the principle that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that changing unhelpful thought patterns can lead to meaningful improvements in mood and behavior. CBT is a goal-oriented approach that typically involves identifying distorted or unhelpful thinking, examining the evidence for and against those thoughts, and developing more balanced perspectives.
Dr. McGuire uses CBT to help patients with depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, OCD, PTSD, and a variety of other conditions. Sessions often include practical exercises that patients can apply between appointments, reinforcing new ways of thinking and behaving in real-world situations.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder but has since been adapted for a broad range of conditions involving emotional dysregulation, self-destructive behaviors, and interpersonal difficulties. With DBT, patients learn to accept themselves as they are in the present moment while also working actively to change behaviors that are causing harm.
DBT is organized into four core skill modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Mindfulness teaches patients to observe their internal experiences without judgment. Distress tolerance provides concrete strategies for surviving emotional crises without making things worse. Emotional regulation focuses on understanding and managing intense emotions, and interpersonal effectiveness helps patients communicate more assertively and navigate relationships with greater confidence.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is a behavioral therapy that encourages patients to accept difficult thoughts and feelings rather than fighting against them. Rather than focusing solely on reducing symptoms, ACT helps patients clarify their personal values and commit to taking action in ways that align with those values, even in the presence of psychological discomfort. The underlying message of ACT is that struggling with painful emotions is a normal part of human experience, and that a rich life is still possible despite that struggle.
Core processes in ACT include cognitive defusion, which helps patients distance themselves from unhelpful thoughts rather than taking them literally; acceptance of emotions without unnecessary avoidance; mindful awareness of the present moment; identification of core values; and committed action toward meaningful goals. ACT has demonstrated effectiveness for depression, anxiety, chronic pain, workplace stress, and a range of other concerns.
Dr. McGuire finds ACT particularly valuable for patients who feel stuck or who have been working hard to control their anxiety or sadness but find that those efforts are taking up more and more of their energy.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is rooted in the understanding that our present-day thoughts, feelings, and relationship patterns are shaped by past experiences, unresolved conflicts, and unconscious processes. By exploring these deeper layers of the psyche, patients can gain meaningful insight into why they respond to the world the way they do and begin to make lasting changes. Unlike more structured therapies, psychodynamic work tends to be more exploratory and open-ended, following the patient’s own associations and emotional experiences as they arise.
Dr. McGuire draws on psychodynamic principles when working with patients who want a deeper understanding of themselves, who struggle with recurring relationship difficulties, or whose symptoms seem connected to unresolved grief, trauma, or longstanding emotional patterns. Psychodynamic therapy is especially well-suited for patients who are curious about the roots of their experiences and are willing to engage in a more reflective, exploratory process.
Schedule a Consultation
Whether you are seeking help for yourself for the first time or looking for a new provider who takes a more integrated, personalized approach, we welcome you to reach out to schedule a consultation.
During your initial consultation, Dr. McGuire will take the time to understand your history, your current symptoms, and what you hope to achieve through treatment. There is no pressure to commit to a particular treatment path right away. The consultation is an opportunity for you to ask questions, share your concerns, and determine whether Cottonwood Psychiatry is the right fit for you.
To get started, simply call our office or message us via our online contact form.
Schedule an Appointment
Start your journey toward the life you’ve always wanted with the help of Dr. McGuire at Cottonwood Psychiatry, and contact us today. Fill out our contact form below.
Please note that we do not do after-hours calls. If you are in an emergency situation please call an emergency hotline.
Dr. Colleen McGuire, DO, is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with a holistic approach to mental health. She completed her medical training at Touro University and residency at the University of Colorado, where she served as Chief Resident. Specializing in trauma, midlife hormonal issues, and alternatives to medication, Dr. McGuire integrates therapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Licensed in multiple states, she is known for her empathetic, client-centered care and dedication to mentoring. Outside work, she enjoys piano, swimming, and spending time with animals.