- Blended family issues
- Mindfulness methods
- Solution-focused work
About Colleen
Dr. Colleen Downes is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York with 35 years of experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, parenting concerns, ADHD, and blended family issues among other challenges. She also supports those facing trauma, grief, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and career transitions.
Her style is conversational and interactive. She listens to what matters most and offers clear, practical steps people can try between sessions. Sessions combine open talking with focused strategies drawn from several therapeutic approaches.
Dr. Downes draws on client-centered work to center the person’s own goals, psychodynamic ideas to look at recurring patterns, and solution-focused tools to set small, achievable changes. She uses mindfulness techniques to help with stress and attention challenges. She explains options plainly and helps people pick what fits their situation.
Her experience includes mental health settings, learning-disability services, caregiving support, foster care, and adoption work. That background informs how she sees family and attachment concerns without assuming one-size-fits-all solutions. She describes practical skills for day-to-day life alongside exploration of longer-term patterns.
People considering sessions are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first meeting. Fees vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Sessions are conducted in English and international clients are not accepted.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s own priorities and goals. In practice this means the therapist asks about what matters most and shapes sessions around those aims. It helps with relationship choices, parenting frustration, and life changes.Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices. These tools help reduce daily stress and support focus, which can be useful for anxiety or ADHD-related difficulties. Practices are short and can be used between sessions.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with clients to test approaches and adjust based on what helps most. Goals, preferences, and practical needs guide which techniques are emphasized.
Confirm the specific session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings around work, medical appointments, or caregiving duties. They also allow shorter check-ins when needed, and eliminate travel time so people can schedule therapy at times that suit their daily routines.
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 problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, parenting challenges, ADHD, grief, trauma, and caregiver strain among other issues.
How would she describe her approach in sessions?
She uses an interactive, talk-based style that pairs listening with practical steps. Techniques draw from client-centered, psychodynamic, mindfulness, and solution-focused methods.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 35 years of professional experience in mental health, caregiving, foster care, and adoption-related work.
Is she a licensed clinician and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in New York and practices from that state.
What languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions priced and billed?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription model 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.
Online talk therapy is for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.