Colleen Kahn
Specialties and Certifications
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Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
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Cassandra Syndrome Specialist
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Neurodiverse Couples Specialist
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Child and Teen Therapist
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Cancer & Autism Specialist
Life Experience
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Personal experience in neurodiverse relationships
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Mother of two sensational teenage daughters
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Former Software Engineer
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Former Marathon Runner
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College Scholar Athlete
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Published Author - Medical Textbook
Education
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Bachelor of Arts in Communications
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Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy
Main Area of Focus
Cassandra Syndrome
Welcome, I am delighted you are here.
My journey is not just a professional one but also deeply personal so I can begin to understand your journey.
If you are in a relationship with a neurodivergent partner, it may feel isolating, frustrating, and exhausting. You may spend copious time and energy trying to make sense of your partner's behaviors and question your sanity. You may seek books, podcasts, or any article to understand why your relationship is different. You may feel misunderstood, disconnected, and hopeless. And you honestly may have already shut down, quietly resigned.
I have been there. I have been married for 19 years. I see you and believe you.
You are so special. You deserve to be seen and heard.
I dedicate my practice to providing support and guidance to women and men, navigating the complexities of Cassandra Syndrome. If you find yourself caught in the web of this experience know that you are not alone.
Your partner struggles with ADD, ADHD, and/or Autism. I understand the frustrations when a partner seems unemotional, detached, anxious, reactive, and consistently defensive. Their temper can go from calm to explosive in an instant. You may feel tremendously dehumanized because your friends and family do not believe you.
How We Work Together
Often clients ask, "What do we actually do in therapy?"
It's a good question.
I start by assisting you in cultivating a more compassionate, trusting, and loving relationship with yourself, fostering internal strength and stability.
Together, we work towards empowering you with a greater sense of choice and agency in your relationships, equipping you with tools to navigate challenges when your partner may not be responsive to your needs.
Moreover, I provide support in grappling with complex questions such as 'do I stay or go?' and guide you in developing effective communication strategies with your partner.
We work collaboratively on setting boundaries, living within the nuanced reality of a complicated relationship where love coexists with challenges. Whether the path leads towards healing and continued connection or the process of ending a relationship, I am here to provide the necessary support.
Beyond individual relationships, I am committed to helping you strengthen other connections and support systems.
There is Hope!
Please know there is hope. You don't have to navigate this journey alone. It would be an honor and privilege to listen to your story and help you find a way to a healthier version of yourself.
Just reach out, and let's begin the process of healing and rebuilding together.
Life Experience
I bring a unique blend of professional expertise, passion, and personal experience to my practice. I am a proud Mother of two sensationally strong-willed teenagers. I am a former software engineer turned therapist. My journey took a fascinating turn from the world of coding to the intricate landscapes of the human mind.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and forged a successful IT career starting at Apple Computers. My love of learning led me to engineering and product management. I became the first female self-taught software engineer at Alcatel TeleCommunications. My team dubbed me the engineer whisperer. I was the essential communication bridge between our neurodiverse engineering team and our neurotypical sales and marketing team.
I eventually learned that my heart yearned for something more – a meaningful connection with people and the opportunity to contribute to their lives in a significant way. So, I embarked on a transformative path towards becoming a therapist.
Driven by my desire to help others, I returned to school. I received my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy from Notre Dame de Namur University. While in school, I cultivated my passion for mental health and overall well-being.