Colleen graduated in 1992 from Edinboro University with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. She obtained her Master’s in Professional Counseling in 1997 from Eastern University, St. David's, Pennsylvania. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a qualified LMHC Supervisor in the state of Florida (MH16185). In 2018 she received the highest credential with her Master's Certification for Addiction Professionals. Colleen obtained top credentials for trauma treatment through EMDRIA as a Certified EMDR Trauma Specialist. She is an Honorary Clinical Instructor at Walden University.
Colleen is passionate in her desire to help people overcome the pain they've experienced from past traumas, addictions, and struggles to maintain healthy emotional well-being. Her unique way of presenting an awareness of trauma and its effects on the brain and body to her clients, supervisees, staff, and the public makes her stand out from others. She uses compassion and authentic communication to ensure that her listeners are comfortable and connected, understand themselves better and feel more confident about their ability to make changes in their lives.
Colleen has been featured on various podcasts, such as Practice of the Practice (The #1 Podcast for counselors in private practice), Shrink Think Podcast, and The Salty Christan Podcast. She has also contributed to several articles for Yahoo Best Life, Unfinished Man, and UpJourney. Colleen uses compassionate and authentic communication to help clients understand themselves better and feel more confident about their ability to improve their lives.
Currently, Colleen serves as the Clinical Director for her group practice. She is dedicated to building the best trauma-informed, trauma-competent group therapy practice in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She has expanded her services and now offers clinical supervision and EMDR consulting. Colleen wants to use her training and experience to help mold the next generation of trauma counselors so they can provide high-quality services for the residents of Fort Walton Beach, and its surrounding communities.