Finding the right psychiatric care close to home can make all the difference in a person’s recovery and long-term mental health. Cottonwood Psychiatry proudly serves Castle Rock, Colorado, and the surrounding communities, offering compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric services tailored to each individual.
Led by Dr. Colleen McGuire, our practice is committed to helping patients achieve meaningful, lasting improvements in their mental health and overall well-being. Whether you are seeking a first evaluation or looking to refine an existing care plan, Dr. McGuire is committed to helping you move toward stability and wellness.
About Castle Rock, CO
Castle Rock is a vibrant, growing city located in Douglas County, situated between Denver and Colorado Springs along the Front Range. Known for its iconic butte landmark, scenic open spaces, and strong sense of community, Castle Rock has become one of the most sought-after places to live in the Denver metro area. The city blends suburban comfort with outdoor recreation, offering residents access to hiking trails, parks, and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Despite its many strengths, Castle Rock residents face the same mental health challenges found across the country. Anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and attention difficulties are among the most common conditions affecting people of all ages in the community. Cottonwood Psychiatry can help bridge the gap in local psychiatric care with virtual appointments, ensuring that Castle Rock residents do not have to travel to access high-quality mental health treatment
Medication Management
Psychiatric medication management is a cornerstone of treatment for many mental health conditions. At Cottonwood Psychiatry, Dr. McGuire offers comprehensive medication management services designed to help patients find the right medication at the right dose, with close monitoring to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
Dr. McGuire takes a thoughtful, individualized approach to prescribing. She begins with a detailed psychiatric evaluation that considers a patient’s full medical history, current symptoms, lifestyle factors, and any prior medication experiences. From this foundation, she develops a medication strategy that aligns with the patient’s specific diagnosis and personal preferences. Medications often used in treatment include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety agents, antipsychotics, and stimulant or non-stimulant medications for attention disorders.
Medication management at Cottonwood Psychiatry is never a one-size-fits-all process. Dr. McGuire schedules regular follow-up appointments to review how a patient is responding to treatment, address any side effects, and make adjustments as needed. She believes that open communication between patient and provider is essential, and she encourages her patients to share any concerns throughout the treatment process.
Therapy
In addition to medication management, Cottonwood Psychiatry offers a range of psychotherapy services. Dr. McGuire is trained in multiple evidence-based therapeutic modalities, allowing her to tailor her approach to each patient’s unique needs, preferences, and treatment goals.
Whether a patient is seeking therapy alongside medication or as a standalone treatment, Dr. McGuire works to create a safe and supportive environment where meaningful progress can occur. She understands that each person’s journey is different, and she remains flexible in her approach, drawing from multiple therapeutic frameworks to best serve each individual.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely researched and effective forms of psychotherapy available today. It is based on the principle that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, and that changing unhelpful thought patterns can lead to significant improvements in mood and functioning.
During CBT sessions with Dr. McGuire, patients learn to identify negative thoughts and cognitive distortions that contribute to their distress. Through structured exercises and guided reflection, patients can develop practical skills to challenge and reframe these thought patterns. CBT is particularly effective for conditions such as depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was originally developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder but has since demonstrated effectiveness for a broad range of conditions involving emotional dysregulation, self-destructive behaviors, and interpersonal difficulties. DBT is built around the concept of dialectics, which involves holding two seemingly opposing truths at once: accepting yourself as you are while also working toward meaningful change.
Dr. McGuire incorporates DBT skills training into her work with patients who struggle with intense emotions, impulsivity, turbulent relationships, or chronic feelings of emptiness. The four core skill modules of DBT include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Each module equips patients with concrete, actionable tools they can use in real-world situations.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a modern, mindfulness-based form of psychotherapy that helps patients develop psychological flexibility. What does that mean? Rather than focusing primarily on reducing or eliminating unwanted thoughts and feelings, ACT teaches patients to change their relationship with those internal experiences, allowing them to pursue a meaningful life even in the presence of discomfort.
Dr. McGuire uses ACT with patients who feel stuck, overwhelmed by their inner experiences, or disconnected from what truly matters to them. Central to ACT is values and helping patients identify what is genuinely important to them and commit to actions that align with those values. This approach can be particularly helpful for individuals dealing with chronic pain, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and life transitions.
Through ACT, patients learn mindfulness skills that allow them to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment or struggle. They discover that they do not need to wait for difficult feelings to disappear before living a full and purposeful life.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is rooted in the understanding that many psychological difficulties are connected to unconscious processes, past experiences, and patterns developed early in life. By exploring these deeper layers of the mind, patients can gain profound insight into the root causes of their current struggles and begin to make lasting changes.
Dr. McGuire draws on psychodynamic principles in her work with patients who are interested in exploring the emotional and relational underpinnings of their difficulties. This approach is particularly valuable for those dealing with chronic feelings of depression, relationship conflicts, low self-esteem, or recurring patterns of behavior that seem difficult to change.
At Cottonwood Psychiatry, Dr. McGuire creates a non-judgmental, reflective space in which patients feel safe to explore difficult memories, emotions, and aspects of their identity.
Schedule a Consultation
Taking the first step toward psychiatric care can feel daunting, but Dr. Colleen McGuire and the team at Cottonwood Psychiatry are here to make the process as smooth and welcoming as possible. Whether you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one, we are ready to support you with compassionate care. To schedule a consultation today, 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.