Circle Psychiatry

Circle Psychiatry is a mental health clinic based in Colorado Springs that delivers psychiatry and therapy entirely through secure video. The practice serves adults, teenagers, and children across Colorado with a team of psychiatric nurse practitioners, a physician assistant, and licensed therapists. The company emphasizes culturally competent, inclusive care that celebrates each patient's identity. All appointments are remote, allowing patients to receive treatment from home without travel time, and the site advertises same-week appointment availability.

How Care is Delivered

Patients book online without phone calls and start care "as soon as this week." Once scheduled, they connect via secure video telehealth with their chosen provider. A first appointment involves a psychiatric evaluation for medication management or an initial therapy session. The provider builds a personalized treatment plan considering your history, symptoms, and goals.

For psychiatric medication, the provider evaluates whether medication would help, discusses options, considers your medical history, and checks in regularly to ensure the medication is working with manageable side effects. Therapists provide "evidence-based talk therapy" focused on developing healthy coping mechanisms and life skills, tailored to your specific needs rather than one-size-fits-all.

Circle Psychiatry serves individuals and families. Family psychiatry care supports not just one person but the people around them, helping families develop healthier patterns and stronger connections. This matters for teenagers and children whose environment shapes their mental health.

All sessions are video-based through a HIPAA-compliant secure platform. There is no option for in-person appointments; even local Colorado Springs patients use the telehealth system.

What the Pages Prove

Circle Psychiatry lists a team of 8 people on its site, split into 6 prescribers and 2 therapists, each with a full biography describing their education, experience, and approach to care. Of the 6 prescribers, four hold Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner credentials (PMHNP-BC): Mary Sturgis, Autumn Knox, Lauren Hood, and Paul Folk. A fifth prescriber, Dean Gainey, holds both a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PMHNP-BC certification. The sixth prescriber, Natalie Molnar, is a board-certified Physician Assistant (PA-C).

The site lists specific credentials for each provider. For example, one PMHNP has degrees from UTEP and Purdue Global and is "a nurse, mother, and combat veteran." Another PMHNP holds a DNP from Michigan State University and "significant experience as a Psychiatric Nurse in the U.S. Army." The PA-C is described as "board-certified" and specializes in "evaluation and treatment of ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, and mood related conditions across the lifespan."

Therapy providers are listed as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC). One is noted as an "LPCC Candidate," meaning they are in the process of becoming licensed. The therapist descriptions note their approaches: one brings "culturally-sensitive therapy with curiosity, collaboration, and empowerment."

The company offers five mental health screeners for patients to use before scheduling: Depression (PHQ-9), Anxiety (GAD-7), Adult ADHD (ASRS), Bipolar (MDQ), and Trauma (PC-PTSD-5). These are validated assessment tools that help patients and providers understand symptoms and severity. The screeners are described as "free" on the site.

Conditions explicitly treated include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD and trauma, mood disorders, panic attacks, stress management, insomnia, eating disorders, and addiction. The site also highlights inclusive therapy for LGBTQ+ patients and culturally competent care that validates and celebrates identity, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and lived experience without judgment.

Insurance: Circle Psychiatry states it "accepts most major insurance plans" and "offers flexible payment options." The site shows logos for multiple insurance providers but does not name them individually or state which specific plans are in-network. No pricing is listed.

Patient satisfaction: The site states an "average patient rating" of 5.0 stars, though the number of reviews is not specified. One quoted patient testimonial states, "I had an amazing experience with Paul Folk as my psychiatry provider. He made me feel comfortable and heard. His compassionate approach and ability to listen truly set him apart."

Age groups served: Circle Psychiatry explicitly serves adults (18+), teens (12-17), and kids (8-11), with care tailored to each developmental stage. For kids, the site describes treatment as "engaging, kid-friendly virtual care designed for how children think, feel, and learn. With family involvement, kids build emotional skills, feel understood, and grow more confident at home and at school."

What Circle Psychiatry Leaves Unanswered

Wait times are not specified. The site promises "same-week appointments available" but does not state how far in advance you typically book or whether this means new patient appointments or only established patient follow-ups.

Pricing is entirely absent from the captured pages. For patients with insurance, copay amounts are not listed. For uninsured or out-of-pocket patients, there is no indication of session fees or costs. The site does not explain how pricing differs between a psychiatry visit and a therapy visit, or whether there are package rates for ongoing care.

Specific insurance plans accepted are not named beyond showing logos. It is unclear which plans are in-network, whether Circle accepts plans from outside Colorado, or what the copay expectations are. No mention is made of Medicaid or Medicare coverage.

Medication restrictions and prescribing policies are not detailed. For telepsychiatry, many states have rules about which medications can be prescribed remotely and whether controlled substances require special licensing. Circle does not discuss its medication restrictions or whether certain psychiatric drugs are unavailable in the telehealth model.

Session length and frequency expectations are not stated. The site does not say how long a typical appointment runs, or how often ongoing treatment typically occurs (weekly, biweekly, monthly). The description of "consistent support" is vague.

Therapy modalities are not specified. While the site emphasizes evidence-based care, it does not state whether therapists are trained in CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, or other specific approaches. Someone seeking a particular modality cannot determine fit without contacting the practice.

The location is Colorado Springs, with no indication of whether the practice serves patients outside Colorado. The site does not clarify whether state licensure limits who can be treated or whether remote work allows broader reach.

Who It Fits and Who It Does Not

Circle Psychiatry fits someone in Colorado (and possibly beyond, though not stated) who wants psychiatry and therapy together in one coordinated practice. The same-week appointment promise appeals to someone who needs fast access to care.

The emphasis on inclusive, culturally competent care is explicit and appeals to LGBTQ+ patients, patients of color, and other marginalized groups who have had bad experiences with clinicians who did not see or respect them. The site's commitment to cultural competence, trauma-informed care, and safe language is notable and specific.

The family psychiatry model appeals to someone seeking care for a teenager or child who wants the provider to understand and work with the family system, not just the individual patient. The fact that the practice serves kids (8-11), teens (12-17), and adults with family-inclusive approaches means a family can potentially get coordinated care in one practice.

The focus on accessibility (telehealth from home, no travel time, secure platform) appeals to someone with mobility challenges, social anxiety, or a busy schedule that makes in-office appointments difficult.

Circle Psychiatry does not fit someone outside Colorado who needs in-person care or cannot use video (though access accommodations are mentioned). Someone shopping by price will find no cost information. A patient seeking a specific therapy modality (like DBT for borderline personality disorder or trauma-focused CBT for PTSD) cannot verify it is available without contacting the practice.

Without named insurance details, someone on a specific plan cannot confirm coverage without calling. The lack of Medicaid or Medicare information means uninsured or government-insured patients cannot assess affordability. Someone needing medication options unavailable in telepsychiatry or specific medication expertise cannot determine fit from the public site.