Therapist profile
Dr. Colleen Downes, LCSW
Dr. Colleen Downes, LCSW - Family and parenting focus
Continue with ColleenAbout
- Client-centered care
- Mindfulness practice
- Solution-focused work
About Colleen
Dr. Colleen Downes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, based in New York with 35 years of experience. She helps adults who are managing stress, anxiety, depression, parenting strain, relationship tensions, caregiving stress, and life changes. She also supports people facing trauma, grief, ADHD concerns, and challenges tied to adoption or blended family situations.
Her approach is straightforward and conversational. Sessions focus on what is happening now and what practical steps could help. She draws on client-centered methods to listen and understand each person’s perspective. Mindfulness techniques are used to build awareness of thoughts and feelings.
Dr. Downes also uses psychodynamic ideas to look at recurring patterns that affect current relationships and choices. Solution-focused work helps identify small, achievable goals and immediate coping strategies. Sessions move between reflecting on deeper patterns and finding concrete ways to manage day-to-day stress.
She has a long background working with people affected by chronic illness, caregiving roles, foster care and adoption matters, and learning differences. That experience informs how she helps clients juggle medical, family, and work demands. The emphasis is on steady, practical steps rather than quick fixes.
People meet with her to sort through parenting fatigue, family problems, career crossroads, shame or guilt, and problems tied to attachment or abandonment. Conversations aim to increase clarity, reduce overwhelm, and support clearer choices about what comes next.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-centered therapy starts by focusing on the person in the room and their immediate concerns. Online sessions using this approach begin with listening and reflecting, so practical problems at home or work are clearly named and prioritized.Mindfulness therapy teaches simple skills to notice thoughts, body sensations, and emotional reactions. Practicing these skills in sessions can help with anxiety, stress, and moments of overwhelm that happen in parenting and caregiving roles.
Psychodynamic therapy looks at recurring patterns in relationships and childhood influences that can affect current behavior. Discussing these patterns online can help make sense of persistent family conflicts or attachment worries.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and recommend a mix of methods. That collaboration helps shape the plan and the kinds of exercises or reflections used between sessions.
Confirm the specific session formats available before booking. The practical advantages of working online include fitting sessions into a busy day, reducing travel time, and making shorter check-ins possible when schedules are tight. Some people find it easier to bring day-to-day problems into conversation because sessions can be scheduled around work or caregiving duties rather than requiring extra time away.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What family and parenting concerns does she address?
She helps with parenting strain, blended family issues, family problems, and family of origin concerns. The profile lists adoption and foster care topics as specific focus areas.
How would she describe her therapy style?
Her style is interactive and conversational, using client-centered listening alongside mindfulness and psychodynamic ideas. Sessions balance reflection with practical steps.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 35 years of experience working in mental health, caregiving, chronic illness, foster care, and adoption-related settings.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in New York and practices there.
Are sessions offered in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she see international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to meet with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.