Colleen Paxton

Clinical Director for 9 years whose focus is on patient care and representing the patient in interactions with family and support system. A dedicated systems family therapist and committed to helping others understand the unique needs of the patient with mental problems and symptoms. Certified trauma professional in Clinical and Family Therapy. Thrives off of giving presentations, speaking at conferences, educating lay people, educating staff in important topics such as suicide prevention, depression, trauma, self-injurious behaviors, and child and adolescent development. Family therapy can be a key in getting better or understanding the issues for better insight and growth.

• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), 2019
• Certified Family Trauma Professional (CFTP), 2019
• 20013, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
• 3474, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor
• 200874, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor
• 214700, National Board of Certified Counselors

• Member, Psi Chi, 2001
• Member, Kappa Gamma Pi, 2002

• Political Action Committee (PAC) Chairman, Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Board, 01/01/04, 03/01/11
• Board Member, Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2001, 2004
• President, Texas Student Association of TAMFT, 2001, 2004
• Clinical Member, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• Clinical Member, Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT)
• Member, National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
• Charter Member, Houston Galveston Institute Community

• Advanced Family and Divorce Mediation Training, 30 hour Court, Manousso Mediation Training &
  Alternative Dispute Resolution Services:, Solution2Conflict, April, 2025.
• EMDR 40 hour training, ENDRIA, April, 2024, Ft Worth, Texas
• Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference, Anaheim, CA, 12/01/17, 54
• AAMFT National Conference, Ft. Worth, TX, 09/01/11, 24
• Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference, Anaheim, CA, 12/01/09, 54
• Neuroscience and the Brain, Las Vegas, CA, 10/01/09, 32
• Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference, Anaheim, CA, 12/01/05, 54
• Counseling Skills Conference, Las Vegas, NV, 09/01/02, 72

• Suicide Prevention, Colombia Severity Scale, West Oaks Hospital, monthly, 2025.
• NAMI Galveston State Convention, December, 2023.
• RAP Conference, DePelchin Center, Houston, TX, February, 2023.
• Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR), 04/01/17, West Oaks Hospital, 5 hours
• Understanding the Mentally Ill Population and Their Trauma, 06/30/23, West Houston Assistance Ministries
• Suicide Risk Training and Adverse Child Experience Training (ACE), 06/26/23
• Introduction to Working with Psychiatric Patients, 06/19/23
• Understanding Psychological Problems in Today’s Society, 06/05/23, The Harris Center
• Suicide Prevention, 05/12/23, Fort Bend School District
• How To Work with the CPS Populations, 09/01/22
• Ethics in Gender Inequality, 06/01/22, Houston Community College
• Understanding Self -Harm and Suicidal Ideation, 03/01/22, HISD Social Workers
• Clinical Presentation, 03/25/22, Ankura
• How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children, 03/01/22, Katy School District
• Helping Grandparents Raise Their Grandchildren, 02/01/22, RAP Conference, Depelchin Children’s Center
• Achieving Mental Wellness During Uncertain Times, 04/01/21
• Trauma Informed Care, 02/01/21, West Oaks Therapists
• Intergenerational Trauma and Epigenetics, 03/09/20, HISD Social Workers
• Intergenerational Trauma and Epigenetics, 02/19/20, United Way
• Trauma Tract Training, 02/05/20
• Self-Harm, 11/14/19
• Mental Health Training for Groups, 11/05/19, West Oaks staff
• Self-Injurious Behavior in Teens/Children from the Systemic View, 11/01/19, Katy ISD
• Intergenerational Trauma and Epigenetics, 10/04/19, NAMI, Galveston
• Mental Illness in A Church Setting, 07/14/19
• Understanding Mental Illness in a Church/Religious Setting, 07/01/19
• Trauma Presentation, 04/01/19, Houston Community Counselors (HCC)
• The Importance of Mental Health in Families, 02/08/19, DePelcin Children’s Center
• Understanding Child Development, 02/04/19, DePelchin Children’s Center
• What Is Normal Teenage Behavior?, 11/27/18, Katy ISD
• Transgenerational Trauma and impact of Epigenetic Research, 10/01/18, NAMI State Convention, Austin, Texas
• Trauma Presentation for UHS Hospitals, 09/09/18
• Understanding Suicide and Prevention, 09/01/18, Houston Community College
• Understanding Child Development, 08/07/18, West Oaks Training for Staff
• Introduction to Trauma Training, 07/25/18, West Oaks staff
• De-Escalating An Aggressive Individual, 03/13/18
• Depression in Teens and Adolescents, 01/30/18
• Depression In Young People, 01/01/18, Pearland ISD
• Self-Injury – Understanding the Triggers, 01/29/18
• Treatment Planning for Clinicians, 01/15/18
• Understanding Suicide in Teens, 11/27/17
• Bullying, 10/04/17
• Mental Illness, Depression in Teens and Adolescents, 06/17/16
• Cutting and Self-Injurious Behaviors, 05/01/15, Alief School District
• Identifying Self-Injurious Behavior in Adolescents, 04/15/15, Pearland ISD
• The Brain and Psychotherapy, 08/16/13, West Oaks Hospital
• The Effects of Spiritual Abuse on Recovery and Beyond, 04/03/12, The Council on Alcohol and Drugs, Houston
• Traumatic Brain Injuries, 03/01/10, Harris County Psychiatric Center
• Ethics, Values, and Laws When Working with Minors, 01/01/04, Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Conference, Houston
• Systemic Approaches to Eating Disorders, 01/01/03, Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Conference, Dallas, Texas

Studied piano since age 4 and throughout college.  Studied in a conservatory in France and other opportunities to perform.  Was born with perfect pitch.