About Colleen Makowsky, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor – New Jersey LPC #37PC00901900
I’m Colleen Makowsky, a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey. I work with adults and couples through anxiety, depression, trauma-recovery, grief, life transitions, relational strain, and disordered-eating or substance-use patterns at a non-medical level.
My practice is online — NJ statewide telehealth, based in Fort Lee, Bergen County. Sessions run 38 to 53 minutes. Most clients work with me for 3 to 12 months, though that varies.
Insurance plans accepted: Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Optum/UnitedHealthcare/Oxford, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Oscar, Medicare, and most EAPs. Out-of-network superbills available.
Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation
Good therapy is practical
Good therapy is practical. You should leave each session with something you can use — not just insight that stays in the room.
— Colleen Makowsky, LPC
Therapy is much more than a place to have insightful conversations. I’m direct, I’m specific, and I’ll ask you the important questions to help you identify and determine the next step in your journey of healing, growth, and change.
I work in a second-person voice: “you,” not “one.” I assume you’re the expert of your own life. My job is to give you tools, frameworks, and non-biased reflection that’s difficult to get from people who are directly involved in your life.
Most weeks, the progress is small and concrete. A pattern named. A skill tried. Role-playing to prepare for a difficult conversation. Change accumulates.
See individual therapy or couples therapy.
Colleen’s continuous learning
Community Counseling
Montclair State University
NJ LPC #37PC00901900
Colleen holds an MA in Community Counseling from Montclair State University, where she also completed an 18-credit Certified Alcohol & Drug Counseling Certificate Program. The certificate program is coursework that informs how she works with adults in early recovery or those concerned about substance use. She does not hold an LCADC license, however, she is a CAIMHP Certified Addictions-Informed Mental Health Professional.
Colleen keeps her training current with continuing education in trauma, addiction, culture, and ethics.
Colleen holds a CCTP Certified Clinical Trauma Professional certificate. CCTP certification requires training beyond standard counseling programs.
Colleen’s commitment
Direct, specific, non-vague
I ask direct, specific questions. We name the actual pattern, the actual feeling, the actual need. Vague questions get vague answers; specific questions get traction.
Trauma-informed at the foundation
As a CCTP, I understand how trauma shows up, sometimes along with other diagnoses; we work together at your pace, one step at a time.
Honesty about scope of practice
I refer cases out of my scope of practice – EMDR, DBT, medication, gender-affirming letters. I practice within my area of expertise. The free 15-minute consultation will determine the best course of treatment to meet your needs.
Colleen’s path to becoming a counselor
Like a lot of counselors, my path started with my own emotions. As a child, creating art was how I expressed myself and made sense of what I was feeling — that carried into a career as a high school art teacher. I loved the teaching, but what kept pulling me to become a counselor was the therapeutic aspect of it – the emotions expressed and the meaning realized.
I went back to school and earned a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Montclair State University. I added extensive coursework in alcohol and drug counseling, addiction informed care, and trauma. I knew I wanted to be able to be present for clients in crisis.
I counseled clients in places that were underserved: substance-use programs and community mental-health clinics. I worked with people in severe crisis who were trying to hold it all together. Those experiences taught me important skills I use in every session – providing a steady relationship where clients can move through feelings, learn coping skills to facilitate change, and reconnect with what matters to them.
What I do now – provide therapy for adults and couples by secure video across New Jersey – Practical. Direct. Flexible, creative, not married to any one method. Honest about scope of practice: I focus on my areas of expertise and refer out when necessary.
Colleen’s expertise — and when she refers out
If you’re not sure Colleen can help, schedule a free 15-minute consultation for more information.
EXPLORE THE WORK
Types of therapy
Individual Therapy · Couples Therapy · Marriage Counseling · LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy · Insurance & Cost
READY TO REACH OUT?
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation
No pressure, no commitment. We talk through what’s bringing you in and figure out together whether we’re a fit.
By appointment · Insurance accepted · NJ statewide telehealth