- Psychodynamic approach
- Trauma-focused care
- Practical goal work
About Colin
Colin Christman is an LCSW licensed in Connecticut who centers therapy on understanding what is missing in a person's emotional life. He explains problems as gaps in basic needs - such as safety, connection, or purpose - and works with clients to identify those gaps. He speaks plainly about goals and values to help people find clearer paths forward.
Colin trained in Political Science and Applied Mathematics at Yale University and earned his graduate social work degree from the University of Connecticut. He has five years of clinical experience, much of it in intensive inpatient and residential settings. That work focused on severe behavioral health issues, including eating disorders, self-harm, suicidality, and substance use concerns.
He has substantial experience with co-occurring trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, personality concerns, and the complex needs that appear when multiple problems overlap. He has worked alongside families and close others when treatment required a broader context for recovery. His background includes work with disorders involving compulsive behaviors and challenges such as gambling disorder and compulsive dishonesty.
Colin describes his overall approach as psychodynamic and notes influences from Alfred Adler and Eric Berne. He also has training in Internal Family Systems and trauma-specific interventions. Sessions focus on uncovering underlying beliefs and unmet emotional needs that drive difficult patterns in everyday life.
People who meet with him can expect direct questions about identity, values, and what would need to change for life to feel better. The work is collaborative and aims to build new ways of coping that fit each person's goals.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Colin draws on psychodynamic ideas and trauma-focused work to help people understand why they repeat painful patterns. Psychodynamic work looks at recurring thoughts, feelings, and relationship patterns to reveal underlying beliefs that shape behavior. Trauma-focused interventions target the effects of past harm and teach ways to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will ask about your goals, history, and what you hope to change, then try different techniques together to see what helps most. Clients and therapist decide together how to balance exploring the past with practical skills for day-to-day life.
The original profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm the current online options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow check-ins from different locations. It also supports shorter check-ins when schedules demand a brief session and can let people join from wherever they are located, which is helpful for international clients.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
5+ years
Credentials
Connecticut
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He helps with family issues, trauma and abuse, eating problems, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include codependency and related relationship difficulties.
What is his therapeutic style?
He uses a psychodynamic approach informed by thinkers like Adler and Berne and integrates trauma-specific work. Sessions aim to find underlying beliefs and unmet needs that shape behavior.
What experience does he bring?
He has five years of clinical experience, including work in intensive inpatient and residential settings with severe behavioral health issues. That background includes care for eating disorders, self-harm, and co-occurring conditions.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, licensed in Connecticut. His professional background includes graduate training from the University of Connecticut.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English. He also accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options with the platform before booking.
How are costs handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on the subscription plan you choose.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. After that, schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.