Mrs. Colleen Thompson

My role as a counselor is to provide an environment of safety, trust, and mutual respect from which the clients and I cooperatively explore their world. I have found that Brief Solutions-Focused Therapy is quite effective, especially when problems are dealt with at an early stage. It is not unusual for significant change to occur in just a few sessions, even for problems that seem insurmountable on the surface. I believe that our thoughts are directly connected to how we feel. Therefore, I also use cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness strategies, where we work on solving present day problems and learn to identify distorted thinking that can cause emotional discomfort. Some difficult or long-standing problems may not be completely resolved in short-term brief therapy. In cases where long-term therapy seems best, you will be assisted with a referral to an off-campus resource. I strive to maintain an interpersonal style that is relaxed, open and friendly, encouraging a sense of ease in my clients from the very first session. As a Christian, I have a spiritual orientation which shapes my approach to counseling. I consider clients as being members of many interrelated systems.

I am working toward my Certified Christian Counselor Credential through the American Association of Christian Counselors. I am a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist with two sites one in Redding and one in Lewiston, CA. I have been a PPS School Counselor at a local TK – 8th grade school where I love to work with families, children, teens and parents in building healthy relationships. I am a volunteer coordinator of a special marriage ministry called Re|engage at Lewiston Community Church www.marriagehelp.org

I was a certified Drug/Alcohol Counselor for 5 years then worked as a PPW school counselor for the last 28 years. I am a graduate of Humboldt State Universities MA Psychology Program and PPS School Counseling and a graduate of National University’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. I have been a licensed MFT since April 2015. I am a working towards my certified Christian Counselor Credential through the American Association of Christian Counselors.