Thrive Therapy Space Member Spotlight: Colby Mitchell

Colby Mitchell

Colby is a Thrive member and LPC. She has known she wanted to be a therapist for a long time, and began her career as an undergraduate at Edinboro University. She graduated with a Master of arts in community counseling and began her internship at Safe Harbor Behavioral Health.

She now works at the Erie VA Medical Center where she has been since 2014. Transitioning from therapist to case worker three years ago, she helps provide veterans with the resources they need, “At the end of the day, my mission is to try to connect them,” she says. Her official position title is Post 9-11 M2VA Case Manager, and her journey to work in this position was intentional.

Colby’s father was a veteran, who also worked at the Erie VA Medical Center. She grew up with an understanding of how stigma influences access to mental health. Within minority communities, this stigma can be even stronger. Her experiences as a child, combined with her natural ability to connect and empathize, made the path to counseling clear. “I always knew I wanted to be a therapist, I’ve always been a good listener, someone that people could trust, and put people at ease,” Colby shares when asked if she started her career with something other than counseling.

“I’m an empath, I can feel, I can connect, I love therapy… this is why I wanted to start my private practice!” Colby describes her transition into part-time private practice by emphasizing how little it feels like “work.” She recalls the exact date she saw her first client: July 5th 2021, a testament to her enthusiasm for therapy. “Anything that has to do with therapy, it’s awesome,” she smiles.

Working with adults, especially women, is her preference-- though she connects with all types of people. Relationship issues, self esteem, depression, anxiety, grief, and work life balance, are her primary areas of focus. In the future, she’d like to learn more about trauma, especially in the context of community. She references the pandemic, “People don’t realize they’ve been really affected by the pandemic, I want to eventually specialize in trauma that affects people on the community level.”

More than anything, Colby brings her ability to meet people where they’re at to therapy. By letting the client become their authentic self. Her goal isn’t to change anyone, but to, “assist people in becoming the best version of themselves. All mental health and therapy should be that way, we’re not all the same.”

As a member of Thrive for over a year, Colby notes the value of belonging to a larger group while beginning her private practice, “Where else do they show you how to start a private practice? It really took the fear out of it.” The energy of the Thrive community drew her in, and she mentions how people work together here instead of trying to get ahead. “One person thriving is another person thriving!” she shares, which is exactly the kind of community we hoped to create here.

Thanks for being a part of our community Colby!

Contact Colby via phone or email: (814) 480-9070 or [email protected]