Colleen Overholt

Experienced therapist focusing on practical growth

LMFT California

Experience: 26 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Colleen

Colleen Overholt is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in California who works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family difficulties, sleep and parenting concerns, anger, career challenges, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and a range of other life adjustments.

Background and approach

She combines practical skill-building with an emphasis on each person's strengths, helping clients identify patterns that get in the way and develop more effective ways of coping and relating. With 26 years of clinical experience in roles ranging from psychotherapist and clinical supervisor to program and executive leadership, she brings a broad perspective on individual and family needs.

Her style is empathetic and client-directed; she provides structure, guidance, and motivation while inviting clients to voice their goals and preferences. Colleen frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to address unhelpful thinking and to promote behavioral change, and she integrates client-centered, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and psychodynamic elements to fit each person's situation.

She values the therapeutic relationship as central to change and aims to create a respectful, accepting space where people can explore concerns, build resilience, and work toward meaningful improvements in daily life.

How different approaches work in online therapy

Colleen commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy in her work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them through practical exercises and behavioral experiments; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and patterns that interfere with daily functioning. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the client’s own priorities guide the pace and direction of the work, supporting self-discovery and confidence.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the collaborative process. She will work with clients to clarify goals, try approaches that fit their needs, and adjust the plan as progress and preferences become clearer, combining techniques when that best serves the client’s aims.

Online sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These formats make it easier to schedule appointments around work, family, or mobility constraints and allow clients to use the communication style that feels most comfortable while working toward measurable changes and improved coping.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?

She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family issues, sleep and parenting problems, anger, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related challenges.

What is her general therapeutic style?

Her style is empathetic and client-directed, offering structure and guidance while encouraging clients to set goals and articulate their needs.

What background and experience does she bring?

She has 26 years of experience in clinical practice and leadership roles including psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and program management in a variety of settings.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She holds the credential LMFT with license CA LMFT 32476 and practices in California.

Does she work with clients in languages other than English or accept international clients?

Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

Which session formats are available for working together?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.

How is cost handled for therapy with this clinician?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions are billed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin therapy with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame ImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks PhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Social anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

26+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English