Hello I'm Colette Obrien
A very wise person, I think it was Robin Williams, once equated a painful early life with becoming an interesting adult. Like Lucy in the Peanuts comics, I was constantly trying to fix things in my childhood home. Driven by that desire to heal the suffering around me, I studied counseling psychology at Sonoma State University and earned my masters degree. I studied ancient cultural traditions, world religions, and numerous psychotherapeutic modalities, including Reichian Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Jungian Analysis. I knew I was on my right life path. Most importantly, I’ve pursued my passionate interest in growing through creativity, yoga, meditation and psychotherapy with several extraordinary practitioners. When I started to work with a therapist, I discovered how wonderful psychotherapy was for enriching my life and teaching me more skillful ways of dealing with life than I’d learned in my early home.. I continued to work with different therapists and to study different modalities for the next forty years, all of which have given me a passionate interest in sharing with people all the joy this has given me.
History
Established in 1981.
One of the ways that therapy was described to me in early classes is that the process is like taking off layers of an onion — recognizing what isn’t you, you’re unearthing wonderful things. Many of us begin psychotherapy afraid of what we will discover. My intention is to bring to each meeting an open mind that allows you to feel safe. With that modeling, over time, you learn to view yourself more compassionately Relationship issues and unresolved traumas are often reasons people have come to see me. Another specialty is working with women on issues of body image, eating disorders, self-esteem, confidence, and boundary-setting.”
Bare bones Biography
1964, my first son was born, 1965 my second son was born and then my daughter was born, Her name is Heather.
1970-1980:
Studied meditation and philosophy with a Sihk Guru. Traveled to India to learn about the many Indian religious systems of thought.
Completed a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Sonoma State University.
Entered therapy with a Gestalt therapist.
Studied comparative religion, Reichian and Gestalt therapy.
India 1979
Bali 1988
1980-1990:
Created private practice as a counselor with emphasis on depth psychology and somatic healing.
Took courses in creative and travel writing.
I made several trips to the Yucatan to learn about the ancient Maya: their views of cosmology and the human psyche. Wrote and published, Time and Transformation, A novel of Mayan Mysticism, based on Mayan mythology and spirituality.
Hosted trips to India and Nepal to introduce clients first hand to how these cultures beliefs differed from western thinking, and given those views, how the people lived.
Studied feminism with an emphasis on ancient matriarchal cultures, which took me to Greece; to the infancy of western thinking where I learned that Pre-Greek philosophy was based on a whole different system of thought about creation and the gods. It was matriarchal.Wrote novel Echo tthe Ancients based on Minoan culture.
At home I continued to study comparative religions plus mythology and fairy tales as they relate to the depth psychology and the unconscious. Studied early childhood development and Cognitive Behavioral theory.
Nepal, 15000 feet, at the highest hotel in the world.
1990-2000:
IIntegrated weekly groups and week-end workshops to private practice geared to depth psychology, spiritual growth, couples counseling, feminine development, dialogue, and creativity.
Photo shoot Isla Mujeras for novel Jaguar's House
2000-2016
Continued private counseling practice. and workshops.
I returned to the Yucatan for further study and to India and Nepal. Over the years, I’d been able to integrate the knowledge I’d gained from foreign cultures into my work at home. It was invaluable.
Home with Leo. Wrote and published, The Nobility of the Robe, an historical novel based on the real life story of an abbess in 17th century France. Developed Memoir course. Taught courses in meditation and Yoga as well as Women’s groups and workshops on creativity and relationship.
2016
Continued to search out more tools to integrate into my therapy practice: Buddhist teachings, new forms of meditation, issues of death and denying, Hameed Ali’s somatic therapy techniques.
Published, Echo the Ancients, an historical novel of Minoan culture on Crete 1550 B.C.E.. A revision of Time and Transformation; The Jaguar’s House, and a revision of The Nobility of the Robe.
2017
Safari to Kenya. Of all the trips I’ve taken, only a few were life-changing. This one really, “blew my mind”. Though I have believed for a long time that we are all one, being on the savannah in Africa exhibited that concept big time. All manner of creature lived together on the plain in harmony. Yes, there are predators and prey but that’s part of the story, everyone has what they need. Since that trip I’ve been attempting to bring that reality home to my clients.
2019 to the present
Continuing my private practice with individuals and couples.
