Hi, I'm Kaya Colin, MSW, LMHC, PMH-C
I offer counseling to people whose experience with pregnancy and parenting is not what they expected. When you meet with me, you will find a safe place where you can open up and share about the shadow side of your experience. In my own journey, therapy has provided me a sacred space where I have been able to transform, be witnessed, and grow.
I think the most important part of therapy is building a trusting relationship. You are the expert on you. My aim is to provide space where you feel safe enough to bring your whole, authentic, raw, messy, beautiful self.
As your therapist, I will meet you where you are. It is an honor to hold space for the shadow side of parenting: worries, fears, rage, despair, loneliness, guilt. I will collaborate with you to find your best way forward.
As a parent, I know the shadow side, and I know there is light at the end of the darkest tunnel. My journey into parenthood was unexpected, hard, and exhausting. Throughout my pregnancy, I imagined birth would be a beautiful relief into a more picture-perfect parenting experience. The relief didn't come with birth. Exhaustion and a hopeless cloud hung over my head. My friends seemed to disappear, and anytime I tried getting involved in parenting communities I felt judged. I know how hard life can be when you haven't been able to meet your basic needs like sleeping and eating because you're focused on your child. I know what it's like when your own childhood trauma that you've "dealt with" resurfaces after becoming a parent yourself. I also know that it is possible to manage your needs, to embrace the role of parent.
Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity." - Pema Chodron
My approach to therapy is client-centered, meaning that our work is guided by your needs. I practice through an intersectional social justice lens, meaning that I am cognizant of the impacts race, gender, class, ability and oppression can have on mental health. I am a health at every size practitioner. As a white queer femme I am committed to unpacking my privilege, to anti-racist work, and dismantling systems of oppression. My practice is rooted in trauma-informed care, polyvagal theory, neuroscience, and attachment theory.
I have advanced training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, birth trauma, infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss. I am committed to continuing education and lifelong learning.
I received my BA in Psychology at Nevada State College and my Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver. I served in the Peace Corps as a Volunteer in Thailand. My license number is LH60934450.
Kaya is not currently accepting new clients at this time.
Kaya
