Background
Colleen graduated from the University of Washington, Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor and Master's degree in 1994. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Child Mental Health Specialist. In addition to Social Work, Colleen has extensive training in psychology and child development. She uses imagery and metaphors to conceptualize and make concrete the often elusive nature of emotional pain. She has worked in the mental health field for over 15 years, primarily in the non-profit arena.
Colleen is a proud member of the National Association of Eating Disorders and the National Association of Social Workers.
Treatment Philosophy
My belief is that we can all improve our lives with the help of an educated and talented therapist. Making sure that the person is licensed and has good credentials is a must and should be easy for the therapist to provide. Feeling comfortable talking and spending time with the therapist is also important as building trust is the beginning of the therapeutic relationship. This is a special and unique relationship where the client is the center of attention. They are offered an emotionally safe space in which to explore their inner thoughts and feelings. Therapy is an unfolding process where people can shed old hurts and move on with purpose and direction in their lives.
My background in psychology has lent me many therapeutics orientations in which to work. I incorporate the use of Jungian psychology, Cognitive-Behavioral, Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, Systems and Humanistic approaches among others. I interweave the educational components with intuition born of many years experience.
I tend to be interactive with clients. I ask questions, offer observations, get clarification and verbalize what I hear the client saying. This can be an opportunity for the client to correct me or bring awareness to a deep seated way of being in the world. I challenge clients to look within themselves for the answers while offering support and guidance in the process of self-awareness. The pace of therapy is always set by the client.
In assisting personally growth, I may ask clients to do homework assignments, keep a journal or log behaviors and emotional responses to them. Writing, drawing and other art forms can help express what talking does not.