I do this work because I’m passionate about supporting folks in their journey to feel more at home in their bodies, find freedom from the things holding them back, find meaningful connection with self and others, and build lives they truly love.

As someone who has walked the path of recovery from an eating disorder and trauma, I believe that therapy is one of the bravest things you can do— and I don’t take lightly the courage that my clients have as they walk into my office to start or continue their own healing journey.

I also believe that: 

  • People have an innate ability to change and heal themselves – sometimes they just need some help in uncovering it (that’s where I come in!)

  • All bodies are good bodies. Our culture has a lot of distorted ideas around bodies and health. I believe that health can’t be determined by a person’s weight or size, and all bodies are worthy of respect. In addition, I’m a firm believer in the Health At Every Size (HAES) framework. HAES is a weight-neutral approach that puts emphasis on health behaviors, as opposed to a number on the scale. Put simply, HAES supports people of all sizes in finding compassionate ways to take care of themselves.

  • Trauma means a lot more than our old narrow definition leads us to believe, and it also doesn’t have to be a life sentence. You are capable of healing from trauma so that it simply becomes part of your story instead of consuming your whole life.

  • Therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all practice. Everyone heals in different ways, and it’s important for us to collaborate to find what works best for you. 

My purpose at The Gaia Center is to provide a welcoming, non-judgmental space where you can be your most authentic self, truly feel seen and heard, and gain tools for finding freedom from the things that are holding you back from living a life you truly love.

I work with adults, teens, and couples and am particularly passionate about working with folks navigating eating disorders, body image issues, trauma, sexual concerns, and neurodivergence. I also love working with creatives and folks working in the music and entertainment industries. I am fully affirming and celebrating of LGBTQ+ folks and am personally a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As an auDHD person, I also know the struggle of walking through our neurotypical centered world as someone who is neurodivergent.

In my work with clients, I take a whole-person approach for mind + body integration and I integrate EMDR, Brainspotting, somatic (body-based) techniques, DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), RO-DBT (radically open dialectical behavior therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Gottman Method, EFT informed techniques, play, experiential techniques, and therapeutic movement based on each person’s unique needs. I take a direct, compassionate approach to therapy where I'll meet you where you're at while also not being afraid to call you out on your BS when needed!

Certifications and Trainings:

  • EMDR Basic Training

  • Onsite Psychodrama Training Institute

  • Comprehensive DBT 40 Hour Foundational Training with Shaelene Lauriano and Kathryn Butts, DBT-LBC Certified Clinicians

  • Radically Open DBT Levels 1 and 2

  • Brainspotting Phases 1 and 2

  • Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders Introductory Training with Lauren Muhlheim

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Trauma

  • Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) with Yoga Alliance (including trauma-sensitive and body-inclusive training)

Human First:

When I'm not working, you can find me listening to Harry Styles, dancing, doing Pilates or yoga, taking Row House classes, laughing with my fiancee, writing, making music, reading, or playing with my two sweet yorkies, Tidbit and Zen.

Credentials:

Colleen completed her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. She has been fully licensed as an LPC-MHSP (#5908) since April 2024.


LET’S TALK:

Do you want to schedule an initial session or phone consultation with Colleen? Fill out the form on our contact page, or reach out to us at hello@gaiacenter.co or 615.270.8117 (call or text). We’ll respond within 24 business hours.

Like all Gaia Center clinicians, Colleen is out of network with insurance (read our FAQ page for more on that). Her rate for an individual 50-minute session is $150 (couples: $170), and $225 for a 75-minute session (couples: $255). Colleen reserves several reduced-fee spots for clients in financial need; you can inquire to see if any of these spots are available.

Fancy Bio:

Colleen Werner, MA, LPC-MHSP, RYT is a full time psychotherapist at The Gaia Center for Embodied Healing in Nashville, TN. She received a BA in Psychology from the Honors College at SUNY Old Westbury and completed her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trevecca Nazarene University. She primarily works with folks navigating trauma, eating disorders, body image issues, trauma, sexual concerns, neurodivergence, and folks in the creative/music/entertainmnet industries. Colleen is also a dancer, dance teacher, and registered yoga teacher. She is passionate about helping folks in all bodies find joy in movement and enjoys weaving movement into work with therapy clients when appropriate. Colleen is also a writer and public speaker and has spoken at events such as Mental Health America’s 2018 National Conference and the UN Youth Forum.