Dr. Colleen Adams
Dr. Colleen Adams is a NYS licensed clinical psychologist who provides therapy, assessment, mentorship, consultation, and presentation services. Her professional background includes significant work with school aged children, adolescents, families and adults in various settings (school systems, community programs, inpatient mental health care, and outpatient mental health care).
Currently, Dr. Adams is specializing in therapy and assessment services for late adolescents and young adults. Specific areas of clinical focus include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, learning disabilities, interpersonal problems, sexuality, gender, and adjustment issues. Dr. Adams also enjoys working with adults navigating unexpected challenges, including questioning career or educational decisions, and relationships. Additionally, Dr. Adams enjoys facilitating presentations focusing on ADHD, Self-Care, and other special topics.
Dr. Adams describes her treatment approach as holistic and individualized, integrating a variety of evidenced based approaches and interventions into therapeutic work, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused and Humanistic Therapy principles. Dr. Adams believes that a warm empathic environment, where we experience unconditional positive regard, allows us to feel safe and increases our ability to experience healing and growth.
She currently accepts most Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, Independent Health, and United Health Care plans, or private pay.
Educational and Additional Professional Information
Dr. Adams obtained an undergraduate degree in general and special education (Canisius College), as well as a master’s degree in Literacy, a master’s degree in Psychology, and a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology (Medaille College). In June 2024, Dr. Adams completed an advanced certificate program in Psychedelic Therapies and Research (California Institute of Integral Studies).
In addition to psychology, Dr. Adams has a background in personal wellness and education. Between 2000 and 2013 Dr. Adams worked as swim coach and director of multiple local learn-to-swim programs. During this time, Dr. Adams was a critical part of establishing one of the first adaptive swimming programs for children and adolescents with mental and/or physical health conditions in the WNY community. Between 2006 to 2012, Dr. Adams held a variety of teaching positions, including the roll of Literacy Specialist and Director of Special Education in a Pre-K through eighth grade school (from 2010-2012) where she was honored with the Educator of the Year award for 2011-2012. While obtaining her doctorate, Dr. Adams began teaching as an adjunct instructor at Medaille College in undergraduate and masters programs, and after graduation, in the Doctor of Clinical Psychology program (over 7 years total).
During her doctoral training, Dr. Adams gained therapy and assessment experiences with board certified neuropsychologists in two Buffalo Public Schools, and at the Mt. Hope Family Center (University of Rochester) Families on Track program. She completed her doctoral internship at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center, and her post-doctoral placement in a local private practice.
Since completing her doctorate and obtaining NYS licensure, Dr. Adams has been actively involved in the psychological community, serving as the Psychological Association of Western New York (PAWNY) Secretary from 2018 to 2024 and chair of the PAWNY Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Task Force from 2021 to 2024. Additionally, Dr. Adams established Space to Spare, a collaborative shared space for multiple providers, and set up a post-doctoral training experience, allowing her to supervise, mentor and assist early career psychologists complete requirements before their own NYS licensure.
Click here to read the January 16, 2024 Buffalo News Article about Dr. Adams