Collin Richards

Hi! I'm a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a background in community-based mental health, which means I've worked with a wide variety of folks on issues ranging from relationship difficulties and stress management to more severe trauma, mood, and personality disorders. My first task is to meet you exactly where you're at, and from there, we work together to get you to where you want to be. Whether I am your first therapist or your tenth, I'm glad that you're here and want to acknowledge you for reaching out.

My approach is a blend of accepting, affirming, and challenging. While we may stretch into uncomfortable territory and confront parts of ourselves we'd rather avoid, it's important we do so with enough trust and safety for it to be helpful, and that we also develop your strengths and ability to enjoy life. Healing is not just about diving into our trauma :) Lately I have been working more with people who function well enough but suffer from a persistent sense of anxiety or unease, and may struggle with people pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, and uncertainty about how to meet their needs, or what those needs even are. I also work with couples wanting tools to strengthen their relationship, or in need of support working through more issues including infidelity, trauma, or addiction, using the Gottman Method. Other modalities include DBT, Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and IFS.

Our fist goal is to establish a trusting relationship, which should feel warm and permissive, a "no pressure" feeling. This is important to establish before we move into the working phase, where things can feel more difficult and I may be more direct or challenging. Therapy with me is collaborative - we will always keep progress towards your goals in mind, and this includes an awareness that those goals may shift over time. Feedback is important for both of us, so we'll create a space in which we can both be honest.