Briana Colton (she/her/hers), MA, ATR-BC, LPCC, PACC
Briana is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Board Certified Art Therapist with over 10 years of experience working with individuals and families. She is also trained in Permanency & Adoption Competency.
Location: Ramsey and New Brighton
Philosophy: Briana seeks to establish safety first, and believes trust, honesty, and humor are essential elements in a therapeutic relationship. She utilizes a client-centered approach to therapy.
Specialties: Individual, relational, and family trauma; anxiety; grief and loss; life transitions; personal identity work; self-esteem/self-confidence; and families impacted by addiction.
Client Focus: Individuals and Families; Adolescents and Teens 12+, Young Adults (18-26), and Adults of all ages.
Treatment Focus: regulation/coping strategies, self-esteem/self-identity, anxiety, depression, trauma, changes in family structure/family conflict, grief and loss, impact of addiction/alcoholism on family systems, adjustment disorders and life transitions, stress management and emotional regulation.
Treatment Approach: Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based, Client-Centered, and Integrative approach drawing from Art Therapy, Anchored Relational Therapy (formerly AIR Network), Mindfulness-Based therapies, Adlerian psychotherapy, CBT, and narrative therapy.
Availability: Email for availability
Email: Briana@conscioushealingcounseling.com for an appointment today.
I’m so glad you decided to visit my page and learn a little bit more about me!
My Background: I am a mission-driven explorer, connector, and healer. I grew up in Minnesota but lived all over the Midwest before returning to be closer to family. My organized brain and love of people led me first to a career in public relations and nonprofit fundraising, but I felt myself needing to dive deeper into my love of artistic and creative self-expression. I discovered art therapy and decided becoming an Art Therapist was how I could help others and make the world a better place. I completed my Masters’ degree in Art Therapy & Clinical Counseling at Adler University (Chicago) and here we are!
My Passion: Professionally, I have three main passions: 1) Art therapy and using the creative process to help clients achieve insight and facilitate change in their own lives, 2) Serving others through individual and community-based healing, whether individual therapy sessions or community-based workshops and trainings – I love connecting with others and promoting socially-oriented healing; 3) Reducing the stigma against mental health by normalizing the therapeutic process and advocating for great access through outreach and legislation.
Work-Life Balance: I am a firm believer in REST and RESTORATION, and believe in taking time away from the grind of work and capitalism. I love to spend time restoring my energy solo or spending quality time with friends and family (including my adorable niece and nephew). I enjoy reading, listening to music, growing flowers, making art, going on long walks, exploring nature preserves and state parks, going to the zoo or splash pad, listening to podcasts, learning about local and national history, and attending live performances at a local theater or the MN Orchestra.
To learn more about Art Therapy, check out these resources:
What is Art Therapy (2:10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecvDnA0Nkq0
Benefits of Art Therapy (2:30): https://youtu.be/4BZynyGzyow
TedTalk on Art Therapy (16:25): https://youtu.be/bPszGBfjuOY