01
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
About Colleen
Dr. Colleen Downes, LCSW, is licensed in New York and has 35 years of clinical experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, ADHD, grief, parenting challenges, and coping with life changes. She describes her style as interactive and client-centered, using psychodynamic and solution-focused methods along with mindfulness practices.
Dr. Downes draws on decades of work across mental health, caregiving, chronic illness, learning disabilities, foster care, and adoption settings. She has experience supporting people facing chronic medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and cancer. She also addresses adoption and foster care questions, attachment issues, caregiver stress, fertility-related concerns, and immigration-related distress.
In sessions she emphasizes conversation and listening. She frames problems, looks for patterns, and helps clients identify practical steps. She uses Mindfulness Therapy techniques to ease anxiety and Solution-Focused Therapy to set short-term goals.
Her psychodynamic work looks at how past relationships and family of origin issues affect present behavior. She combines that with client-centered interaction to keep the focus on what matters now. She also works with issues like impulsivity, anger, guilt and shame, and compassion fatigue.
Dr. Downes explains coping strategies and supports people who need help balancing caregiving, chronic illness, or career stress. Sessions aim to clarify priorities and develop manageable plans. To begin, people complete a brief intake and schedule a first appointment through the practice process.
02
Approaches used for remote sessions and how they help
Dr. Downes uses Client-Centered Therapy to prioritize what the client wants to work on and to guide conversation toward current concerns. This approach helps when people need a clinician who listens and reflects back what matters to them.She also incorporates Mindfulness Therapy to teach simple attention and breathing skills that reduce anxiety and improve day-to-day coping. Mindfulness practices can be helpful for stress, chronic illness-related distress, and emotional regulation.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Dr. Downes will review goals and preferences in early sessions and recommend which methods to emphasize. She frames that as a collaborative process and adjusts plans as needs change.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Many people find remote sessions make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, with fewer travel needs and more flexible scheduling. Remote work can allow shorter check-ins, easier scheduling around work or caregiving, and consistent weekly sessions without commuting.
03
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
04
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, ADHD, grief, parenting, trauma and abuse, and related concerns.
What therapeutic approaches does she use?
Her work combines Client-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to match client needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 35 years of experience working in mental health, caregiving, chronic illness, foster care, and adoption settings.
Is she licensed in New York?
Yes. She holds an LCSW license in New York.
What languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.