Hey there! My name is Coleen. I’m a therapist. But I’m also a wife, mama, daughter, sister, and friend.
There is hope for healing and I’m so glad you are taking steps toward it.
I see clients virtually— know that during our time together we won’t feel miles apart. Grab your coffee (or tea, or topo chico) and let’s kick off our shoes, laugh, cry, and walk side-by-side to the person that God has so lovingly called you to be.
Although I call Georgia my home, my husband and I recently relocated our family to Pennsylvania for him to answer the call to full-time ministry. This means that I can see clients from both states!
I like to keep my theory of therapy simple: dysfunction and trauma happen when we don’t have a way to understand the events going on around us—our body and our minds don’t know what do with it. So they hold on; sometimes tighter than what allows us to function. This usually means that “a lack of motivation” isn’t actually that. It’s your nervous system trying to hold onto familiar patterns. Once we get to the negative core belief, we can help your body and brain form a new understanding—suddenly, it won’t be quite as difficult to make that change you’ve been trying to.
My goal as a therapist is to address you as a whole person and to help you deepen your understanding of your mind, body, soul, and emotions.
Who I work well with:
+ Individuals (ages 6 +)
+ Couples
+ Families (at all stages of life)
+ Parent/Child (all ages)
Areas of focus:
+ Trauma (complex and single incident) & PTSD
+ Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, & Panic Disorder
+ Attachment & Family Relationships (divorce, co-parenting, conflict, affair recovery)
+ Body Image & Disordered Eating
+ College & Career Transitions
+ Creativity blocks
+ Perfectionism
+ Perinatal Issues and Parenthood
+ Women and Families in Ministry
EMDR
The official name for what I do is called: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is the gold standard of care for the treatment of trauma. It is particularly effective in physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, natural disasters, PTSD, as well as many other issues. I also use other interventions from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapies, and relational therapies. I’ve been trained in EMDR since March of 2018 and will be EMDRIA certified at the end of September 2021.
Christian Counseling
There are many different types of therapists who describe themselves as Christian counselors, so it is important to distinguish the difference. What this means for my clients is that I work from a Christian worldview—I see every client as made in the image of God (Imago Dei) and every part of their story as worthy of honor and value. If you identify as Christian, we’ll explore how God’s hand is working to weave every part of your story together—both the good and bad. We’ll intertwine spiritual direction to your comfort level to help you gain a better sense of who you are in relation to God. This process is client-led, and I will never force my own values or beliefs on you. I work with clients of many denominations and backgrounds.
Statement on Diversity
As a therapist and a person, I’ve made a commitment to actively work on social justice issues. What this means in the counseling room is that all clients are valued regardless of skin color, religion, socio-economic status, and sexuality. I work to maintain an actively anti-racist stance and believe that everyone has a voice and story that deserves to be heard and believed.
My Style
Clients describe my style as warm, inviting, present, and direct. I strive to create an environment where we can explore the parts of yourself that you enjoy, as well as those that may be more difficult to understand or accept. When you have reached the end of your journey in therapy, my hope is that you will leave feeling more connected in relationships and living wholeheartedly, with a better understanding of yourself.
When I’m not working as a therapist, you can find me spending time with my husband, family, and friends, riding bikes, hiking, gardening, or finding a do-it-yourself project to complete!
coleen@restorationcounselingatl.com, ext 124