About Colleen
Hi! I’m Colleen Hennessy, and I’m a licensed therapist with an objective, secular and radically nonjudgmental approach.
I know that it took support for me to be able to find my authenticity and be empowered to be myself. It also took support to be able to see my blindspots, become more skillful in my relationships, and that’s how I’ve gotten to have so much love in my own life.
Rebels and black sheep are all welcome here. When I say I’m radically nonjudgemental, it is because the longer I do this work as a therapist, the more I am grounded in the reality that everyone can find their own unique way of doing their thing. Although I have specialized training as a therapist, I am (no longer) deluded into thinking that I know better than you what you should do with your life. I see myself as specialized in hosting conversations and helping you to notice parts of yourself that will create opportunities for you to live into your own preferences and values more fully.
My Approach to Therapy:
In my therapy approach, I don’t really teach skills (although I may make suggestions), and I definitely don’t teach you to conform with society’s standards. Instead, I will guide you to connect with your authentic self by being attentive, in-tune and focused on you! When you feel safe and secure in your true self, you’ll be able to express yourself in a way that aligns with your beliefs and values, and naturally feel more skillful doing it!
I know that talking about your traumas and unchartered territories can be intimidating. By creating a safe space where you feel nurtured, we can explore when you’re ready. It doesn’t always have to be dark with storm clouds, therapy can also be full of humor and optimism.
Whether you’re here for individual or relationship therapy, all relationship types, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions are welcome here. As a bisexual and non-monogamous human, I get how difficult it can be to navigate a non-conforming relationship. But as a therapist, I recognize my bias and do my own internal work, so I can create a space for you to make decisions that work for you.
Education & Experience:
Licensed Psychotherapist serving all of California, LPCC#286
Certified in EMDR to help you connect the past to the present, and move past trauma quickly.
EFT(Emotionally Focused Therapy) Externship Training
Level 1 Certification in Consensual Non-Monogamy
IFS (Internal Family Systems) Training, completed the Online Circle
Use portions of DBT training to increase mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills
Motivational Interviewing to help you reach your goals by increasing motivation to change in your own way.
“Hard times arouse an instinctive desire for authenticity.”
Invitation to Brave Space By Micky ScottBey Jones
Together we will create brave space
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space”
We exist in the real world
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
In this space
We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world,
We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere,
We call each other to more truth and love
We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow.
We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know.
We will not be perfect.
This space will not be perfect.
It will not always be what we wish it to be
But
It will be our brave space together,
and
We will work on it side by side.