Meet Dr. Lila Kimel | Owner & Clinical Psychologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Lila Kimel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Lila, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I never thought I wanted to be a business owner. Throughout graduate school and for many years afterward, I worked at JFK Partners within the University of Colorado School of Medicine, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). I loved my time there. I was surrounded by brilliant colleagues, engaged in meaningful work, and had the opportunity to help children and families navigate developmental disabilities.
The idea of starting my own practice came from seeing a growing need in the community that was not being adequately met. Families were waiting months, and sometimes years, for developmental evaluations and support services. Many of the families who needed help the most, those relying on Medicaid, bilingual families, and families with limited resources; had very few options. I realized that if I wanted to make a larger impact, I needed to build something that could address those gaps directly.
What began as a small practice grew into one of the only bilingual developmental-disability clinics in Colorado that accepts Medicaid. Along the way, I discovered that entrepreneurship is really about problem-solving, creating opportunities, and building systems that help people. While I never envisioned myself as a business owner, I am grateful that taking that leap allowed me to serve thousands of families and train the next generation of clinicians.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Our mission has always been to make high-quality developmental and autism services accessible to families who might otherwise struggle to find care. Every year, we help hundreds of children and families better understand their strengths, challenges, and support needs through comprehensive evaluations and consultation.
Over the course of my career, I have worked with thousands of families across Colorado. Beyond direct services, I have trained more than 100 graduate students, externs, and postdoctoral fellows who now provide services in communities throughout the state. In that way, our impact extends far beyond the walls of our clinic.
I am also proud of our advocacy work. We have worked to improve Medicaid reimbursement for autism-related services and have mentored other practices interested in serving Medicaid populations. If we want meaningful change, we need both direct services and systems-level advocacy. I believe our clinic contributes to both. Families trust us during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Colleagues trust us to provide high-quality evaluations and recommendations. Trainees trust us to help shape their professional development.
That trust has been built over nearly three decades through consistency, integrity, and a commitment to doing what is best for the families we serve. We have never focused solely on growth or revenue. We have focused on quality, relationships, and impact. I believe the success of our practice is a reflection of that commitment.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I would want them to experience everything that makes Colorado special. We would spend a few days in the mountains around Silverthorne, hiking scenic trails, exploring local shops, and eating at the kinds of locally owned restaurants where residents actually gather. We’d start most mornings at cozy local coffee shops, enjoying a great cup of coffee while taking in the mountain views before heading out for the day’s adventures.
The rest of the week would be filled with some of my favorite Colorado traditions, including attending summer art festivals, live music events, farmers markets, and exploring unique neighborhoods. We’d spend time in Denver visiting independent coffee shops, browsing local bookstores, and enjoying the city’s vibrant arts scene. I would also make sure we caught a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater, one of the most iconic and breathtaking music venues anywhere.
We would seek out as many summer art and music festivals as possible, try local restaurants, and spend plenty of time outdoors. Whether hiking, paddleboarding, walking through mountain towns, or simply lingering over coffee on a sunny patio, I think the best way to experience Colorado is to embrace its outdoor lifestyle. The combination of mountains, coffee culture, arts, and music would make for an unforgettable Colorado adventure.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dr. Lila Kimel and Kimel Psychological Services

Website: https://www.kimelpsychologicalservices.com/

Instagram: @kimel_psych_serives

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lila-kopelioff-kimel-1a160b5/

Facebook: Kimel Psychological Services