Meet Kolbe

I consider myself a “wounded healer” for my community in the sense that my own journey informs my unique presence, insight, and compassion for others’ healing process as a counselor & psychotherapist. I’ve cracked open my own wounds, brought them to Jesus with the proper help, and allowed those scars to become the very places of refuge for me and my clients. Through my wounds, Christ continues to draw me in deeper to Himself, who is Love and Truth.

In a phrase, I’m here to say, “I get it, I’ve been there, now let’s find a way for you too.”

Let me share with you a little of what I mean.

Why did I become a therapist? Because I know firsthand how trauma can cause disconnection within ourself, with God, and with our closest relationships. But I also know the hope of healing those ruptures too. As befalls every human being, I had to navigate experiences that were less-than-nurturing in and outside the home. Over the years, I took on a complex of developmental and acute trauma in my body. For a good while, my trauma went unprocessed, activating a web of hurdles I’ve had to integrate over time. I give thanks for all of it. I would not be where I am today otherwise.

When faced with the daily activation from untreated trauma, my nervous system found adaptive ways to regulate my experience. Early on, these patterns were not always helpful or healthy, though effective in the short term. I became overly attached to piety, perfection, performance, validation, and familiarity as pathways for establishing neuroceptive safety. My brain - folded, fawning, and afraid - bypassed my body’s stored wisdom, emotion, intuition, and authentic self. It was a steep price to pay to make up for lacked belonging. In my chase to save my life, I was losing it. It slipped away the more I gripped it tighter.

And yet, there was no other way for the Lord to slowly draw me through and into true connection with Him, myself, and others.

Many times the Lord has intervened through grounding people & places in therapy, school, prayer, nature, mindful breath & movement, and local community. In time, I was able to cultivate a haven in these relationships, anchor my nervous system, learn new skills, find meaning, and practice my way forward. By learning to soften in the body, I found greater flexibility to flow with the rhythms of the Holy Spirit in each of our hearts.

While on a rocky journey of deep inner work, I have passed through high school, college, exploring careers, marriage, parenthood, and graduate school.

We humans are always learning, always healing, always going deeper. I’m still healing (I’d be naive to say otherwise) but I’m far enough along my path to humbly yet courageously practice in the footsteps of my mentors, guides, and teachers - and like them, to be a havening dock of refuge for the weary and heavy burdened.

Now I get to witness the mystery found in holding space for others. I am ever grateful to my clients who truly teach me the greatest lessons as we discover together the meaning of our humanity.