Friday we made the official announcement for the launch of our Ask an Expert Column. This column is a place for you–the Libero Network Community–so submit your recovery and mental health questions, and have them answered by professionals in an anonymous advice column format.
Each one of these “experts” has been handpicked by us and has offered their time and expertise voluntarily to be a part of the Libero Network “expert” team. We thought you’d probably like to get to know them a bit better.
Today we are introducing Colleen Fuller…
*
Colleen Fuller, M.A, RCC
Colleen is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from City University of Seattle.
I am excited about this, because, for the last few months, I’ve been reading all the encouraging stories on the Libero network. The more I read, the more I see that this is a good place, full of strong and fascinating people, and I’m looking forward to becoming part of it.
I’ve been invited to hang out here in your “Ask an Expert” column to answer any questions you might have about psychology and related ideas, and I’m honoured to do so. But I have to say right away that, in at least one important way, I am not an expert.
I admit that I have a couple of degrees in Psychology (B.A. and Masters of Counselling Psychology) and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor. I also have a pretty good collection of challenging life experiences that have proved to me that almost anything is survivable, and might just add to the rich texture of life (after the crisis is over). I am an expert in the process of change and growth. I have a big toolbox full of ideas to share, and new perspectives to offer. As far as those things matter, okay, I’m an expert.
But I am not an expert in your life. I have never been in your exact circumstance, with your unique set of gifts and burdens. You are the expert. You are an intelligent problem-solver. You can invent better solutions than anyone else can to fit your needs exactly.
I am hoping that, through this column, we can bring together your expertise and mine, in a way that is useful to you. As you go about the business of living your life, and dealing with your obstacles, maybe you will start wondering about something. And I’ll be here. You can let me know when you have questions or concerns that you’d like to bring up with someone who will give you a thoughtful, well-informed answer. And I can offer you an idea, or perhaps help you to see things differently. Or, at least, I can encourage you and point you toward some good resources. And then you can take what I offer, and put it together with your own inside knowledge of your life, and move closer to the freedom you are seeking.
So, go ahead, ask me your questions. I’ll apply what I’ve learned in school and in life. I’ve dealt with a lot of challenges myself. I grew up as a Preacher’s kid in a pretty stressful home environment, overcame body image issues, depression, and anxiety. I went to UBC, married young, worked as an Early Childhood Educator and entrepreneur, volunteered everywhere, raised a couple of neurodiverse kids, then went back to grad school as an adult. It’s been a great adventure so far, and I’m really looking forward to helping you see the truth of your own strength and the possibility of a better future.
If you would like to know more about Colleen or consult with her (in person or via Skype), you can visit www.creativesolutionscounselling.com.
*
Tell your friends:
Guys, @liberonetwork has a new Ask an Expert Column! Send them your #mentalhealth + #recovery questions: http://ctt.ec/A9PH5+ [click to tweet]
The post Get to Know Our Experts: Colleen Fuller appeared first on Libero Network.