Colleen Fagan Ph.D.
Clinicial Psychologist

Psychotherapy

 

Philosophy

Therapy is more than just a treatment you seek and receive. It's an endeavor to better understand yourself and your difficult life experiences. Therapy can help you make sense of the chaos and to find new purpose and meaning for your life. Seeking therapy does not mean you are weak. It means you are a part of the human race and have the strength to acknowledge a problem and ask for help. Therapy works best when you are motivated and committed to change. However, it is not uncommon for people to be ambivalent about making changes when they start therapy. We can address this ambivalence so that you can make the most of your therapy. 

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Style

I provide a compassionate, genuine, safe environment built on mutual trust and respect. My therapeutic orientation is quite integrative, and I draw upon various methods depending on the specific problem or focus of therapy.  In general, my approach tends to be more psychodynamic and insight-oriented in nature.  I also integrate mindfulness-based practices, solution-focused approaches and cognitive behavioral techniques as needed. I believe in not just treating symptoms but also treating the underlying causes to prevent future distress and create a more fulfilling life. I enjoy listening to client's stories, allowing them to talk freely, and helping them understand and change unhealthy patterns in life. I strongly believe that hope in the therapy process is crucial and the therapeutic relationship can be healing in itself.



​Specialities

I am passionate about and have experience helping individuals with gender dysphoria, individuals with bipolar disorder, suicide survivors, overwhelmed mothers, and the LGBTQ population. I have worked with a wide variety of problems including but not limited to: relationship issues, grief, self-harm, suicidal ideation, career choices, family conflict, the coming out process and stigma against sexual orientation and gender identity, adjustment to new situations, attachment problems, trauma, abuse, cultural differences, unhealthy coping, stage of life issues, and academic difficulties. I have treated a wide variety of disorders including but not limited to: bipolar disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, gender dyphoria, substance use disorders, depressive disorders, adjustment disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder.