Author: samuelcollier

Dr. Collier is a licensed clinical psychologist working in private practice in the city of Seattle, Washington. His primary focus is the treatment of psychological trauma in it its various forms. He has signficant experience treating a wide variety of psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, health psychology, and coping with chronic illnesses. His philosophy is guided by compassion, non-judgment, and unbending positive regard for his patients and their unique identities. His therapeutic process is highly collaborative. Dr. Collier offers guidance and reflection to empower you to think for yourself and find the answers from within rather than giving you advice or telling you what to do. Dr. Collier's other major clinical interest is multicultural psychology and the intersection of personal identity with trauma. Specific issues he helps address include complex trauma, developmental trauma, systemic oppression/adversity, cultural trauma, religious trauma, masculinity/mens issues, and issues with sexuality, gender, and identity. He strives to be culturally-sensitive and has significant experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including immigrants, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. As a European-American, cisgendered male therapist, father, husband, older brother, and staunch ally for social justice and equality, he reflects on the "lens" of his own cultural identity and how it interacts with the identity of each of his patients. While he has a special interest in working with emerging adults, he is open to working with people of all genders, ethnic, and religious backgrounds who are age 17 and up. He recognizes that life is challenging and it takes effort to make it to therapy, and he is honored to share this time with you.

There are no mistakes

On By samuelcollierIn Coaching2 Comments

“There are no mistakes in life, only opportunities.  Everything happens for a reason.”

This has been the reframe that I have followed these past month as I observe and reflect upon my own life.  It is also one of the Foundation Principles at iPEC.  It wasn’t new news to me when I re-learned it, though now I am actually putting to work in my own life and my coaching methodology.

In life, sometimes, there is pain.  And with that pain being “pain-full,” it is easy to look at whatever action or choice that put us into that situation as a “mistake.”  What if instead we can look at that resulting pain as an opportunity…an opportunity for what?  An opportunity to grow, transform, and learn from our actions and how we contributed directly or indirectly to that situation.  An opportunity to own our reality and transform that pain into power; to make us stronger and more effective at creating the positive results we want in the world.

In that way, pain is actually a “blessing!”  It is a sign or guidepost to point us in the direction of “true self,” or choices that are in alignment with our highest good.  If it feels good, do it.  That is the type of choices I want to make in my life.  All pain then is simply a sign we are falling out of alignment  with our highest good.  It is the result of choices that brought us to pain; it is the result of choices that will bring us out.

My Peer Coach Tracie Devlin helped me remember this the other day.  When I was lamenting over the loss of love and pain of rejection, she asked me “How is this rejection a blessing?”  I realized I was holding on and still being the victim, when in fact I was settling for less and not really being fulfilled by the relationship.  If anything I had been victimizing myself.

The key lesson from that experience: self-acceptance.  This is who I am.  This is where I am at.  This is how I feel today.  I accept that.  Take  responsibility and own my present situation, only then can I move forward.  What a relief to have that power of choice back!  So now it’s “if it feels good do it.  If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it.”

…so there you have it!  First entry from your Authentic Coach, your friend in the trenches of life.  I too can bleed and I’m in the process too!

Much love

My Intentions….

On By samuelcollierIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your interest in my coaching practice!  When all my technology is in order I plan to start posting my thoughts and feelings in this blog.  My hopes is that these words will seek to inspire discussions around the topics of personal development and spiritual transformation within the individual and the word.  All are highly encouraged to take part and dialogue within this community.

Warm Regards,

Samuel Collier