- Years in practice
- 12
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Pennsylvania
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Self esteem
About Colleen
Colleen Mest is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania with 12 years of experience helping people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges, and trauma. She approaches sessions with care and patience and helps clients identify practical steps they can use right away. Colleen emphasizes strengths and works alongside people as they decide what to change.
Colleen keeps the work collaborative. She listens first and then helps clients set clear, realistic goals.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on small, doable changes such as communication habits, coping skills for difficult days, and ways to manage overwhelming emotions. Her training and background include work with trauma and attachment concerns. That experience shapes how she responds when someone is rebuilding after hard events.
She pays attention to safety, pacing, and what each person needs to feel ready to move forward. Colleen uses a mix of evidence-informed methods. She incorporates client-centered and solution-focused ideas to keep sessions practical.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools may be added to help change unhelpful thinking and behavior. Many people come to her with caregiver stress, postpartum concerns, fertility-related strain, workplace pressure, or questions about life purpose. She also supports those dealing with compassion fatigue and relationship challenges.
Colleen aims to help each person gain clearer steps and greater confidence in day-to-day life.
What Colleen works with
Everything Colleen lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Colleen helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Compassion fatigue
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Coping with life changes
- Attachment issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Family of origin issues
- Fertility issues
- Life purpose
- Postpartum depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Colleen lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Imago Relationship Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Colleen commonly draws on Client-Centered Therapy to place the person and their goals at the center of sessions. This approach means she focuses on listening, understanding each person's experience, and building on existing strengths to guide change.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which looks at connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. CBT methods can help with anxiety, depression, and daily habits by teaching practical skills to reframe thoughts and try new behaviors.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Colleen will discuss options and tailor methods to the client’s needs, goals, and preferences. The choice of approach is collaborative and can shift as progress is made.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video lets people work face to face from wherever they are; phone can fit into a break or be easier when bandwidth is low; live chat and text messaging work well for brief check-ins or when someone prefers written communication. These options make it easier to schedule regular sessions and maintain momentum between meetings.
Questions people ask about Colleen
What concerns does Colleen help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges, trauma and related issues such as compassion fatigue and relationship or family concerns.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and compassionate. She listens, highlights client strengths, and helps set clear, practical goals for change.
What kind of experience does she bring?
Colleen has 12 years of experience in mental health assessment and treatment, including work with trauma and attachment-related difficulties.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, practicing in Pennsylvania.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does cost and scheduling work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Colleen?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on therapist availability.
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