I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist. I work with individuals and couples. My work with couples often focuses on the intersection of couples therapy and complex developmental trauma unwinding the way in which early developmental trauma continues to affect a couples’ relationship. I help couples repair broken communication habits, deepen their understanding of each other, and navigate reactive patterns that get in the way of true connection. As much of our relationship style is formed unconsciously in our family of origin, I work to bring these processes into awareness so that couples can create healthier, more intentional and satisfying ways of relating.
I have completed all levels of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy training and have extensive training in the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy. I am also a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, a powerful trauma therapy that supports nervous system regulation, helping partners feel safer and more connected. The Gottman Method and Somatic Experiencing are experiential approaches that promote healing through new, in-the-moment experiences. In real time I support couples to practice secure attachment styles including presence, attunement, and respectful engagement-even during conflict-so couples can build a stronger, more resilient relationship.
I also work with individuals and specialize in working with symptoms caused by high stress and trauma. I integrate somatic awareness approaches to support healing of the dysregulation that occurs in the nervous system with early relational experience or events that overwhelm our capacity to feel safe and protected. I also offer additional mind and body approaches such as learning self-compassion, mindful awareness practices and discovering early protective parts of yourself to support healing and greater resiliency.
More specifically, Dr. Collins offers:
- Mindfulness-based individual and group therapy for anxiety, panic & depression
- Somatic experiencing therapy for working with trauma
- Heartmath practices and therapeutic meditation to increase calm, decrease anxiety & stress-related physical complaints
- Mindfulness-based communication training for couples to reduce relationship stress
- Online coaching support for habit change & mindfulness practice
Associations
- American Psychological Association
- San Diego Psychological Association
- Mindfulness Association