Meet Teresa Cole | Licensed Professional Counselor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Teresa Cole and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What do I do? I graduated from UCCS in 2011 with a master’s degree in counseling. Since becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, I have worked with adjudicated youth, adult in-patient, and partial hospitalization settings, and in a group practice. In 2017, I started my own private practice, “Teresa Cole, LPC.” I wanted to have a relevant and meaningful name for my business but couldn’t land on a name that fit. Now I realize that maybe my name is the fit due to my story. Many of my clients are trauma survivors: whether it is family of origin (fancy talk for who you grew up with) or those harmed by institutionalized systems such as military, education, religion, medical, mental health or legal.
What sets me apart as a counselor?
Everyone has different therapy needs, modalities, personality of therapists at different times in their lives. So, I will not always be a good fit for some people. In all honesty, I get a bit twitchy discussing this. I think what can set me apart it is my own story of harm and difficulties that people can relate to. I grew up with parents who had severe mental health problems and their own histories of trauma. They came into parenthood with no resources, skills, or knowledge of how to parent differently. So, I was set up, so to say, from the womb. I endured neglect, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Due to the persistent nature of this abuse, I have complex PTSD (C-PTSD). I also have ADHD, which has several overlapping symptoms.
This environment made learning very difficult for me. In the 1970’s, ADHD and childhood trauma were barely on the radar. School was always a struggle, but I loved learning and the classroom was respite from my chaotic home. Getting into graduate school was nothing short of a miracle. My GPA was not stellar and the first time I took the required entrance exam, my score was…embarrassing. This might sound obvious, but I didn’t know there was a study guide for the test. After digging around, I found some study guides and spent many hours studying and taking practice exams. When I re-tested, I doubled my score, putting me at a much higher ranking. My integrity was questioned by several administrators due to the vast differences between the scores, but I was finally accepted.

Was it easy?
Hell, no. But this is also what I am most proud of. The combination of C-PTSD and ADHD can make it difficult to filter incoming data. I HAVE ALL THE THOUGHTS AND FEELS, so to say. I can get lost in the story and be quick to jump to conclusions. However, there is a superpower in being acutely attuned, fancy talk for hyper focus, and empathetic.
And I have deep compassion and connection with my clients. I find it is one thing to have knowledge of theories and techniques, which is necessary. It’s another experience to be with someone who has been through the depths of pain, done their own work “on the other side of the couch” and come out on the other side of it. And I love what I do.
Lessons learned.
Being a LPC with C-PTSD and ADHD takes a lot of self-care, self-awareness, consultation, and continued work in my own therapy. Running my own business can be daunting due to all of the details/tasks which sometimes seems like trial by fire. I acknowledge this and jokingly remind my clients that I have a master’s in counseling, not accounting. I navigate these issues by using an amazing accountant, bookkeeper, and have a fine collection of whiskey. By contracting out some of the minutiae, I am able to once again focus on the reason I started a business in the first place, to help those in need.
What I want the world to know.
I think what I would like the world to know is that it is possible to be in this field with your own history of harm and academic challenges. Without a doubt, you will have to work harder and dig deeper than others. When I am able to look at my past, use my own personal trauma to support others in their quest for deeper meaning, I bring all of this to the table and offer it as sustenance to my clients, there is some sweet redemption.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Given that my love language is mountain biking, I would take them to the parks/trails around Colorado Springs, Salida, Summit County and Fruita. Of course, beer is a necessary element of any ride. I try to support local breweries and tap rooms, especially those that cater to bicyclists. That being said, Trails End would be the first place to land. Soulcraft and Broken Compass are also great options. After a long ride and adult beverages, the day would end with a soak at a hot spring. I am partial to Cottonwood Hot Spring but would take a dip at most anywhere.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout outs to my counselors and way makers, Jan Proett, LPC and Sam Jolman, LPC. My BFF, editor and mountain bike coach extraordinaire, Stacy Gery. My husband, Shawn, for doing life with me. And to my God, for the gift of life.

Website: www.teresacolelpc.com