Colin Christman, LCSW
Connecticut LCSW for trauma and families
- Family systems
- Trauma care
- Eating disorder work
About Colin Christman
Colin Christman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Connecticut who brings a background in rigorous academic training and intensive behavioral health work to his clinical practice.
He completed undergraduate studies at Yale University, where he studied Political Science and Applied Mathematics, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Connecticut. Much of his clinical experience comes from intensive care settings, primarily inpatient and residential programs, treating severe behavioral health concerns including substance use disorders, self-harm, suicidality, complex trauma, eating disorders, and other behavioral issues such as gambling disorder, sex addiction, compulsive dishonesty, and kleptomania.
Colin has substantial experience addressing co-occurring trauma and behavioral health disorders, personality disorders, and mood or anxiety disorders. That experience often involves working with family systems - partners, parents, children, and siblings - when the challenges extend beyond an individual. His clinical training includes Internal Family Systems (IFS) and trauma-specific interventions, and his overall therapeutic stance is psychodynamic, informed by the ideas of Alfred Adler and Eric Berne. At times sessions may include Emma, a certified emotional support dog.
Colin frames many mental health difficulties as problems of absence rather than presence. To illustrate, he contrasts illnesses like influenza - where a harmful agent is present - with conditions such as scurvy, which arise from a prolonged lack of a necessary element. In his view, therapy begins by identifying deficits in emotional nutrition - for example safety, interpersonal connection, a sense of identity, community, purpose, capability, and structure - and then exploring why those needs remain unmet.
From there, Colin uses clients' thoughts and feelings as tools to reveal the underlying beliefs that drive excessive negative emotion, insufficient positive emotion, or behavior at odds with personal values and goals. Initial work focuses on simple but essential questions: Who is the person in front of him, what matters to them, what is not working in their life, and what would it mean for things to be better. Therapy is framed as an active process of examining and changing beliefs to foster healthier relationships with others and with oneself.
He completed undergraduate studies at Yale University, where he studied Political Science and Applied Mathematics, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Connecticut. Much of his clinical experience comes from intensive care settings, primarily inpatient and residential programs, treating severe behavioral health concerns including substance use disorders, self-harm, suicidality, complex trauma, eating disorders, and other behavioral issues such as gambling disorder, sex addiction, compulsive dishonesty, and kleptomania.
Colin has substantial experience addressing co-occurring trauma and behavioral health disorders, personality disorders, and mood or anxiety disorders. That experience often involves working with family systems - partners, parents, children, and siblings - when the challenges extend beyond an individual. His clinical training includes Internal Family Systems (IFS) and trauma-specific interventions, and his overall therapeutic stance is psychodynamic, informed by the ideas of Alfred Adler and Eric Berne. At times sessions may include Emma, a certified emotional support dog.
Colin frames many mental health difficulties as problems of absence rather than presence. To illustrate, he contrasts illnesses like influenza - where a harmful agent is present - with conditions such as scurvy, which arise from a prolonged lack of a necessary element. In his view, therapy begins by identifying deficits in emotional nutrition - for example safety, interpersonal connection, a sense of identity, community, purpose, capability, and structure - and then exploring why those needs remain unmet.
From there, Colin uses clients' thoughts and feelings as tools to reveal the underlying beliefs that drive excessive negative emotion, insufficient positive emotion, or behavior at odds with personal values and goals. Initial work focuses on simple but essential questions: Who is the person in front of him, what matters to them, what is not working in their life, and what would it mean for things to be better. Therapy is framed as an active process of examining and changing beliefs to foster healthier relationships with others and with oneself.
Areas of Expertise
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Colin Christman have?
Colin Christman has 5 years of experience.
Is Colin Christman a licensed therapist?
Yes. Colin Christman holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details: CT LCSW 58.013911.
In which languages does Colin Christman provide therapy?
English
Where is Colin Christman located?
Connecticut
How can I work with Colin Christman as my therapist?
Clients can work with Colin Christman through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Colin Christman work with international clients?
Yes, Colin Christman works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Colin Christman cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as the client's location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match clients with a therapist. Depending on availability, a first session can then be scheduled and may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Is Remote Therapy a Good Fit for Clients?
Many people wonder whether remote therapy can produce meaningful benefits. For a range of common concerns - including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and major life transitions - online therapy has been shown to be comparable in effectiveness to traditional in-person sessions.
One major advantage is flexibility. Clients can connect with therapists in the format that fits their life and comfort level - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or in-app messaging - making it easier to integrate therapy into busy schedules or to access care from different locations.
Licensed professionals deliver these services, and clients can switch therapists if they would prefer a different fit. For many people, remote sessions offer a practical, effective way to pursue therapy while balancing other responsibilities.