Meet the Therapist – Keith Colton, LCSW. Real People, Real Experience

I didn’t set out to become a therapist, I sort of backed into the helping professions. In my late teenage years, after leaving a career that wasn’t the right fit, I found myself searching for direction while struggling to find the kind of help I needed. I was not in a good place and felt really lost for many years in my early adulthood.  It was messy but I found a way.

 

At the time I became determined to change my direction.  I am grateful to have gotten help through therapy, as well as my family and friends.  Looking back, those experiences shaped the therapist I would eventually become.  When I decided how I wanted to pick up the pieces in my life at that time, I decided to explore Social Work.  Helping others runs deep in my family. For generations, my family dedicated their lives to caring for others, from teachers and healthcare administrators to veterans who served during World War II. Somewhere along the way, I realized I wanted to continue that tradition in my own way.  I wanted to help others break cycles, overcome, we have all experienced this, and do throughout our lives.

The human experience is both amazing and challenging.  We have an incredible diversity of personalities, beliefs, values, and life experiences that make every person’s story unique.  They are our own, and we need to be helped from the perspective of our own stories, not from a book or some institution; these things can guide us but we must start where are feet are, always.  Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with people from many different backgrounds and stages of life. I’ve served as a clinician, supervisor, and leader, worked with at-risk youth, individuals experiencing homelessness, victims of crime, and people receiving psychiatric and addiction treatment. As a result, I have learned many techniques and theories I can use to help, that I combine with these practical experiences.  Yet some of the most meaningful work has always looked much simpler: sitting across from another person, listening carefully, and working together to solve life’s problems one conversation at a time.

I believe meaningful change begins with trust, honesty, and a willingness to move forward together. It is a privilege every time someone chooses to share their story with me, and my commitment is to meet each person with respect, authenticity, and practical guidance.

Outside of my practice, I’m grateful to spend my time with my family as a husband and father. Whether I’m behind a camera capturing Colorado’s beauty, casting a line into a quiet mountain stream, playing music around a campfire or simply enjoying time with the people I love, those moments keep me grounded and remind me of the importance of balance, perspective, and connection—the same values I strive to bring into my work with every client.  It’s not always wine and roses, but every good moment is worth it.  I’ve come a long ways in near 30 years of Social Work practice, I’m honored to share in part of you and your family’s journey as well.