Colleen is a licensed independent mental health practitioner providing services at Williamsburg Behavioral Psychology. She specializes in a variety of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Colleen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education/coaching from Kearney State College. Her Master of Counseling degree was earned through Doane College in Lincoln, Nebraska. One of her most rewarding accomplishments at LPS is working as a track and field coach at Lincoln High School. This experience taught her the value of connecting with youth while helping her athletes make significant changes both in sports and in life. After working within the Lincoln Public Schools as a Middle School Health Teacher for 15 years providing prevention education on high risk behaviors for the adolescent years, she has transitioned into the intervention of problem areas for families struggling with relational, academic, mental health and significant stressful situations, such as post-adoptive family strain leading to dysfunction.
Over the last ten years, Colleen has studied the effects of trauma on the brain, nervous system, and the body. She has applied her knowledge in helping people suffering from exposure to childhood trauma, domestic violence, and terrorism. She is proactive in seeking the most up-to-date information to benefit her clients in the therapeutic setting. From her experience as a coach, she collaborates with her colleagues to provide a team approach in working with individuals and families. Her mission is to make progress while working towards personal goals and overall therapeutic success.
Colleen enjoys working with individuals and families who are experiencing stressful life events such as divorce, adoption adjustment, foster care placements, involvement with juvenile justice, and other mental health struggles. Because of her teaching background, she can educate families about the impact of trauma on childhood development. She is trained in helping parents/caregivers use researched and effective strategies in raising children who come from “hard places”. Individual therapy is also encouraged for adults struggling with the effects of their own childhood abuse which has become an obstacle in relationships.
Colleen is an active mother and grandmother. She feels that having a loving family and spiritual support system are her greatest blessings in life.
“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.” Baron de Coubertin
“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7