Licensed to practice in Massachusetts and accepts 45 insurances. Specializes in Addiction, Anxiety, Crisis Intervention and 10 more.
(she/her)
Hi, I’m Colleen. I’m a licensed therapist who believes therapy should be a space where you can show up as yourself without feeling judged or like you have to have everything figured out. My approach is warm, supportive, down-to-earth, and collaborative. I want my clients to feel comfortable talking openly about what they’re experiencing, even when it feels difficult to put into words. I work with individuals who may be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, struggling with confidence, navigating life changes, or simply wanting to better understand themselves and the patterns that may be affecting their lives. Together, we’ll identify what matters most to you and work toward goals that feel meaningful and realistic. I believe therapy is not one-size-fits-all. I meet each client where they are and incorporate practical tools, honest conversations, encouragement, and even humor when appropriate. Most importantly, I want you to feel heard, supported, and comfortable being yourself throughout the process.
Together, we will identify your challenges and goals - where you want your life to be a month, six months, a year from now. Then, we'll identify options and strategies you can use to get there. You'll leave the session with a better understanding of what you're facing with an "actions I can take right now" approach. There will always be room for suggestions concerning our work together, including keeping each other accountable.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to meet people where they are and create a space where they can feel comfortable being themselves. I bring warmth, empathy, honesty, and a sense of humor into my sessions while also knowing when to gently challenge clients and encourage them to look at things from a different perspective. I understand that opening up to someone can be difficult, so I focus on building a genuine connection and allowing trust to develop naturally. I am not here to judge you or tell you how to live your life. Instead, we will work together to understand what you are experiencing, recognize patterns, build on your strengths, and find practical strategies that work for you. I also believe that sometimes people simply need a space where they can say what they are really thinking and feel heard. My goal is to provide that space while also helping you move toward meaningful and lasting change.
My ideal client is someone who is open to self-reflection and motivated, even if only slightly, to better understand themselves and their patterns. They may be navigating challenges such as stress, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, or difficulty managing emotions, and are looking for a supportive space to process their experiences without judgment. I am especially well-positioned to work with individuals who are developing greater self-awareness and accountability—those who may sometimes feel stuck in frustration with others or external circumstances, but are willing to explore their own role in situations and consider new perspectives. These clients often benefit from gentle guidance in recognizing patterns, building emotional regulation skills, and strengthening their ability to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. My ideal client may not have everything figured out, but they are curious, open to feedback, and willing to engage in the work of personal growth. Their goals often include improving relationships, increasing self-confidence, managing stress more effectively, and developing healthier ways of coping with challenges. I strive to create a collaborative and supportive environment where clients feel both understood and appropriately challenged, helping them move toward meaningful and sustainable change.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we may identify unhelpful thought patterns, explore how those thoughts impact emotions and daily life, and work on developing healthier ways of thinking and responding. I like to make CBT practical and relevant to what you are experiencing in your everyday life. This may include challenging negative or anxious thoughts, recognizing cognitive distortions, developing coping strategies, or practicing new ways of approaching difficult situations. Rather than simply telling you to “think positively,” we will work together to understand where your thoughts are coming from and determine whether they are helping or getting in the way. My goal is to help you develop skills you can continue using outside of therapy and feel more confident managing challenges as they arise.
I use Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore their thoughts, feelings, and goals in a supportive and nonjudgmental way. Change can be difficult, and it is completely normal to feel unsure or have mixed feelings about taking the next step. Rather than telling you what you should do, I will help you explore what matters to you, identify what may be getting in the way, and recognize your own reasons for wanting things to be different. Through open and honest conversations, we will build on your strengths, explore your motivation for change, and identify realistic steps that feel manageable for you. My role is to support and encourage you while respecting that you are the expert on your own life. Together, we can work toward changes that feel meaningful, achievable, and consistent with the life you want to create.
I use a strength-based approach to help clients recognize the abilities, resilience, and strengths they already have, even during times when those strengths may be difficult to see. It can be easy to focus on what is going wrong or what you feel you need to change, so part of our work together is also identifying what is working and building from there. I believe you are more than the challenges that bring you to therapy. Together, we will explore past successes, personal strengths, supportive relationships, and coping skills that can help you navigate current difficulties. I will encourage you to recognize your progress, build confidence in yourself, and develop tools that feel realistic for your life. My goal is to help you feel empowered to use your existing strengths while continuing to grow and create meaningful change.
I use a trauma-informed approach by recognizing that past experiences can influence how we think, feel, respond to stress, and relate to others. I understand that talking about difficult experiences can feel overwhelming, so I focus on creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you can move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. You will never be pressured to share more than you are ready to discuss. Instead, we will work together to understand how your experiences may be affecting you today while focusing on your strengths, coping skills, and sense of control. I incorporate choice and collaboration throughout the therapy process and will help you develop tools to manage difficult emotions, recognize triggers, establish healthy boundaries, and feel more grounded. My goal is to help you feel heard, respected, and empowered as we work toward healing and meaningful change.
I use supportive therapy to provide a safe and nonjudgmental space where you can openly talk about what you are experiencing and feel genuinely heard and understood. Sometimes you may need help working through a specific challenge, and other times you may simply need a place to process your thoughts and emotions without feeling judged or pressured. During our sessions, I will listen, offer encouragement, help you recognize your strengths, and provide feedback and a different perspective when it may be helpful. I believe support also means being honest and gently challenging you when appropriate, while always respecting your individual needs and goals. Together, we can work through difficult emotions, build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and identify practical ways to manage life’s challenges. My goal is for therapy to feel like a collaborative space where you feel supported while continuing to grow and make meaningful changes in your life.