- Client-centered approach
- Mindfulness tools
- Practical coping skills
About Colleen
Dr. Colleen Downes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 35 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting challenges, ADHD, grief, trauma, and work or career concerns. Her manner is warm and respectful, and she focuses on practical steps people can use each day.
She draws on Client-Centered Therapy to place the person's needs and goals at the center of sessions. Dr. Downes also uses mindfulness practices to help people notice stress and calm their minds. Her background includes work with chronic medical illnesses, adoption and foster care issues, caregiving stress, learning disabilities, and blended family concerns.
Sessions are conversational and interactive. She listens closely, helps people clarify priorities, and co-creates plans that fit a person's life. Techniques can include brief problem-solving, examining past patterns that affect current relationships, and mindfulness exercises to reduce reactivity.
People often come for support with impulse control, guilt and shame, anger, or compassion fatigue. Dr. Downes tailors the pace and focus to each person's situation. She emphasizes coping skills that are useful between sessions.
Her practice reflects long experience in New York settings involving mental health and medical challenges. The tone in sessions is nonjudgmental and compassionate. Prospective clients who want a collaborative, down-to-earth approach will find clear, practical help for day-to-day struggles.
How her approaches shape online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy places the person and their goals at the center of work. Sessions focus on what matters to the individual and adjust to their pace and priorities. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices that can reduce stress and help manage anxiety or impulsivity in daily life.The right approach often becomes clearer through early conversations. Dr. Downes will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals. That process includes trying ideas, checking what helps, and shifting focus when needed so therapy stays useful and grounded in day-to-day needs.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so please confirm current online options before booking. Many people choose online therapy because it can make scheduling easier, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins during a busy day. It also makes it simpler to use mindfulness exercises between sessions and to continue momentum when life gets hectic.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns can I bring to therapy?
Dr. Downes works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, ADHD, grief, trauma, parenting strain, career challenges, chronic illness, and caregiver stress.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The style is warm, interactive, and respectful. Sessions focus on listening first, then building practical steps and coping strategies together.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 35 years of experience working in mental health, caregiving, foster care, adoption, and medical-related settings.
Where does Dr. Downes practice and what is her credential?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker licensed in New York and practices from that region.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How does pricing and scheduling work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to start therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.