Denver Family Institute

What Denver Family Institute does

Denver Family Institute (DFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 in Denver, Colorado, that delivers affordable mental health counseling alongside a COAMFTE-accredited Marriage and Family Therapy training program. Its counseling practice operates on a sliding-scale fee structure of $25-$75 per session for households earning $75,000 or less and now accepts Colorado Access Medicaid, serving approximately 375 active clients and delivering roughly 5,500 counseling sessions annually. Therapy is provided by graduate and postgraduate trainees under licensed supervision across individual, couples, family, child/adolescent, grief, trauma, and LGBTQ+ affirming modalities, with teletherapy as an additional delivery channel.

The MFT Training Program is DFI's principal professional product: a two-year, 16-course post-graduate certificate accredited by COAMFTE as one of only four Post-Degree Institutes in the United States and the only one in Colorado. Course tuition is $750 per course plus quarterly practicum ($300), group supervision ($310/quarter), individual supervision (~$69/hour), and capstone ($700), with $1,200-$5,000 annual scholarships available; graduates accumulate 400+ direct contact hours and 250+ therapy sessions at DFI's clinic. Following the 2025 integration of Envision:You, DFI expanded into LGBTQ+ behavioral health training via the Q is for Questioning workshop series, the SPTQYC program (featuring the proprietary 'Queer Adjusted Systemic Lens' methodology), and the LGBTQ Behavioral Health Provider Training delivered on TalentLMS. Additional revenue streams include on-demand professional webinars ($30-$70 individually; $549-$649 packages), certificate replacement fees, office space rental to clinicians, and tax-deductible donations supported by grants from funders including the Caring for Denver Foundation.

DFI distributes services through its single Denver clinic (3600 S. Yosemite St. #1050), telehealth, the TalentLMS-based training platform, and a referral ecosystem of 100+ partner organizations and dozens of university internship pipelines. Its instructor corps is composed entirely of active, licensed clinicians, and the board includes professionals from public accounting (Moss Adams), law (Polsinelli PC), and behavioral healthcare leadership, providing governance depth for a small (11-50 staff) multi-program nonprofit.

Name

Denver Family Institute

Legal name

Denver Family Institute

Website

https://denverfamilyinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Denver Family Institute is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing sliding-scale mental health counseling and a COAMFTE-accredited Marriage and Family Therapy training program, serving individuals, couples, families, MFT students, and behavioral health professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Counseling and Professional Training

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Couples & Family Therapy Teletherapy Platforms (HLALAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK)

Keywords

• Marriage and family therapy
• Sliding scale counseling
• LGBTQ affirming therapy
• MFT licensure training
• Continuing education webinars

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Counseling Services Revenue: DFI provides low-cost sliding-scale counseling services at $25-$75 per session for households with income $75,000 or less. The organization accepts Colorado Access Medicaid.
2. MFT Training Program Tuition: DFI charges tuition for its two-year COAMFTE-accredited post-graduate certificate program. Courses cost $750 each, practicum $300 per quarter, group supervision $310 quarterly, individual supervision approximately $69/hour, and capstone $700. Interns receive free supervision and three free courses.
3. Webinar Sales: Individual on-demand webinars sold for $30-$70 each. Complete on-demand webinar packages available for $549-$649.
4. Certificate Processing Fees: Standard certificate replacement costs $20 (plus shipping), rush processing costs $40 (plus shipping).
5. Donations: DFI accepts tax-deductible donations to support affordable counseling services through its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Denver Family Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two core lines: (1) low-cost, sliding-scale counseling services ($25–$75 per session, with Colorado Access Medicaid acceptance) for individuals, couples, families, and children, delivered by supervised graduate and postgraduate therapists; and (2) a COAMFTE-accredited two-year post-graduate Marriage and Family Therapy certificate program (16 courses plus practicum, supervision, and capstone) that meets Colorado LMFT licensure educational requirements. Supplemental paid offerings include LGBTQ-affirming clinical training (SPTQYC, LGBTQ Behavioral Health Provider Training), on-demand continuing-education webinars, certificate replacement services, and office space rentals to therapists.

Product overview

Denver Family Institute operates as a nonprofit offering affordable mental health counseling services alongside professional training programs. The core offerings include sliding-scale counseling (individual, couples, family, child/adolescent, LGBTQ+, grief, trauma therapy) and the COAMFTE-accredited MFT Training Program. The organization has expanded through integrating Envision:You's programs, adding Q is for Questioning workshops, the Systemic Provider Training for Queer Youth Clients (SPTQYC), and LGBTQ Behavioral Health Provider Training. Additional offerings include professional development webinars, office space rental for therapists, and donation options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Counseling Services Low-cost, sliding-scale mental health counseling provided by supervised graduate and postgraduate trainee therapists for individuals, couples, families, and children/adolescents in the Denver area. Sessions priced $25-$75 based on household income (up to $75,000), with Colorado Access Medicaid accepted. Topics include anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationships, and LGBTQ+ affirming care.
• MFT Training Program COAMFTE-accredited two-year post-graduate Marriage and Family Therapy certificate program consisting of 16 courses ($750 each), practicum ($300/quarter), group supervision ($310/quarter), individual supervision (~$69/hour), and capstone ($700). Meets educational equivalency requirements for Colorado LMFT licensure and requires 500 clinical hours (400+ direct contact, up to 100 professional) including 250+ psychotherapy sessions at the DFI clinic. Scholarships of $1,200-$5,000 per year are available.
• Q is for Questioning Free two-part interactive workshop series (virtual and in-person) led by licensed clinicians and LGBTQ+ community members that educates adults supporting LGBTQ+ youth on identity, language, and mental health. Co-developed with the Butler Institute for Families at the University of Denver.
• Systemic Provider Training for Queer Youth Clients (SPTQYC) Paid training program helping mental health clinicians move toward queer-affirming systemic practices. Offered as a clinical track with a mini certificate and a non-clinical track, plus a la carte courses and a July 2026 buy-one-get-one enrollment promotion. Anchored in the proprietary Queer Adjusted Systemic Lens.
• LGBTQ Behavioral Health Provider Training Tiered, online training for behavioral health professionals. Level 1 ($50) introductory, Level 2 ($250) comprehensive, combined pathway ($300), plus a la carte population-specific modules ($75 each / $125 for two / $150 for remaining three). Discounts for nonprofits, academic institutions, government, and students. CE credits issued via the University of Denver and University of Colorado Denver and endorsed by the Colorado Chapter of NASW.
• Webinars (On-demand Continuing Education) On-demand professional development webinars for mental health professionals covering couples therapy, trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, and specialized therapeutic approaches. Individual webinars sold for $30-$70 each; complete on-demand webinar packages (23 webinars / 46 CEs) sold for $549-$649.
• Office Space Rental Full-time and part-time office space for therapists and mental health practitioners inside DFI's suite at 3600 S. Yosemite St. #1050, Denver. Includes wifi, kitchen access, and free parking.
• Transcript and Certificate Requests Standard certificate replacement for $20 (plus shipping, 7-14 business days) or rush certificate processing for $40 (plus shipping, 2-3 business days).

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,500+ counseling sessions provided annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Envision:YoucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvision:You has merged into Denver Family Institute, integrating its flagship programs including Q is for Questioning, Queer Youth Program, and Behavioral Health Provider Training. This strategic expansion strengthens DFI's capacity to deliver accessible, affirming services while honoring Envision:You's legacy of community engagement, training, and advocacy.
• Butler Institute for Families at University of DenverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for development of the Q is for Questioning curriculum, providing evidence-based content for workshops supporting caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth.
• OMNI InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development of the LGBTQ Behavioral Health Provider Training Program in partnership with Envision:You, funded by Caring for Denver.
• University of DenverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIssuing CE credits for psychologists completing Level 1 and Level 2 training. DFI has historical ties as the original founding partner in 1982.
• University of Colorado Denver (UCD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIssuing CE credits for LPCs completing Level 1 and Level 2 training.
• Colorado Chapter of NASW (NASW-CO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndorsement of CE credits issued by DFI for social workers completing population-specific modules.
• Local and National UniversitiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDFI is an approved internship site for dozens of local and national universities, providing MFT training opportunities for graduate students.
• Out Front MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured coverage of Envision:You merger with DFI and ongoing LGBTQ+ mental health support programs.
• Denver Botanic GardensminorOthersAnnual Garden Party event venue for DFI/Envision:You fundraiser celebrating LGBTQ+ mental health champions.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ackerman Institute for the Family: New York-based institute combining a clinical family therapy practice with post-graduate MFT training. Directly comparable to DFI because it pairs supervised clinical service delivery with formal therapist education, exactly the dual model DFI operates.
• Council for Relationships: Philadelphia-based nonprofit providing sliding-scale therapy services alongside accredited MFT training and supervision. Mirrors DFI's clinical-plus-training structure and COAMFTE-accredited PDI status.
• The Family Institute at Northwestern University: Affiliated with Northwestern, this institute offers clinical services and MFT training programs. Comparable to DFI in combining affordable therapy with a post-graduate educational pathway.
• Family Institute of Westchester: Westchester, NY-based nonprofit operating a clinic and family-therapy training institute accredited by COAMFTE. Closely parallel to DFI in mission, funding model, and scope of clinical + educational services.
• Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: National nonprofit network of therapists offering sessions at $30-$80 for uninsured/underinsured clients. Directly comparable to DFI's sliding-scale counseling segment serving the same affordability-driven market.

Broad incumbents

• PFLAG National: Large LGBTQ+ family support organization with chapters supporting parents of LGBTQ+ youth. Overlaps with DFI's Q is for Questioning workshops in mission and target audience of adult caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth.
• The Trevor Project: National LGBTQ+ youth mental health organization operating crisis lines, research, and provider training. Comparable to DFI's expanded LGBTQ+ behavioral health training programs at a national scale.
• Mental Health America: National community-based nonprofit focused on mental health advocacy, education, and access. Comparable to DFI in the broad community mental health and education niche, though at far greater scale.

Others

• Greater Good In Action (UC Berkeley): Provides evidence-based practices and trainings to clinicians and educators. Comparable to DFI's webinar/CE portfolio for mental health professionals, though framed as practice research rather than clinical service delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/denverfamily
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6qqiRuyDiaDPYurOXlXTVg
• Facebookfacebook.com/denverfamilyinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/denverfamilyinstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/thedfidifference

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Denver Family Institute