Colleen Bowersock, Counselor, MA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
University Place , Washington
VerifiedFeaturedTelehealth Available
My Approach to Therapy
Congratulations. You have taken the first step in finding a counselor. Perhaps you are struggling with anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, obsessive thinking, trauma, panic attacks, destructive habits, or relationship concerns. Any one of these personal issues creates unnecessary suffering. Perhaps you are unsure of what is causing your distress, but you want something different. I am eager to help you increase your understanding and improve your situation. We will explore what has brought you to therapy and what it is that you are looking to change in your life to enable you to create the life that you want.
For you to make changes, you need acceptance and empathy. I will create a space where you feel seen, heard, validated, and understood as you deepen your insights about what you want. Feeling respected and valued provides the basis for personal change.
Besides drawing upon your personal strengths, I use cognitive behavioral therapy and family of origin interventions to address your issues as they restrict your ability to enjoy your life. I also have additional training in body-psychotherapy (a form of mindfulness) which is effective for deep-seated anxiety and depression.
Every person is unique, and I adapt my approach to meet your needs. I enjoy working with adults, who are struggling, of all ages and from all backgrounds. My depth of experience and personal growth underpin my work as a counselor in helping you to reach your goals.
The next step is for you to reach out to a counselor who can assist you in identifying what it is that you want and how to go about making that change. If you like what I have said, I would like to be that counselor. I offer a phone session at no cost to you, so you can decide whether I am the right fit counselor. I look forward to hearing from you.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
I am skilled at supporting people in changing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so you can get your needs met. For instance, if you are struggling with unhealthy thinking, I will help you to rethink those negative thoughts so that you feel better and have a more realistic outlook. I am skilled at helping people identify what it is that they are feeling and how it is that they block their feelings through defenses. For example, if you struggle from panic or anxiety attacks, underneath that panic are unexpressed emotions such as sadness or anger. As you begin to identify and feel your emotions, more often than not your panic attacks will cease.
What I Usually Need to Know to Help
The question that I like to ask is: When you are done counseling, what will be different in your life? By answering this straightforward question, you and I both get a sense of what it is that you want to be different. Answering this question may help you to know yourself better or solidify how you are interested in growing through therapy.
Expertise & Specialties
Age Groups I Work With
AdultsElders
Groups I Work With
I do not have a specific population that I target. I have had success working with individuals from varying backgrounds, sexual orientation and cultures.
Therapy Services & Specialties
Concerns & Challenges Addressed
AbandonmentAbortion / Post Abortion IssuesAbuse / Abuse Survivor IssuesAcademic ConcernsAddictions and CompulsionsAdjusting to Change / Life TransitionsAging and Geriatric IssuesAgoraphobia
Therapeutic Approaches & Evidence-Based Methods
Body PsychotherapyBreathworkCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally Focused Couples TherapyFamily Systems TherapyGestalt TherapyIntegration of different therapy modelsMindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)