About

Colleen Bardelli, MA, LPC-S, LMHC, RPT

I'm a therapist based in Austin, Texas. I grew up in Upstate New York and have lived in Vermont and Brooklyn before making Austin my home. From an early age, I felt drawn to helping others. My own experience in therapy during my formative years was transformative—it helped me build a life aligned with my values, and it’s a big part of why I chose this path.

My clinical work is rooted in compassion, acceptance, and developmentally responsive care. I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of each client, integrating evidence-based practices including Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness.

Outside of the therapy room, I’m a lifelong soccer player—once a competitive athlete, I now play recreationally in an adult league. This part of my life continues to influence how I think about resilience, and stay connected to what brings me joy.

MY HOPE FOR MY CLIENTS

​• cultivate self-awareness

• build coping skills

• identify negative thoughts ​and self-talk

• develop a mind and body connection

​• increase tolerance for big emotions

• use healthy and productive responses to emotionally charged and difficult situations

• self-acceptance and self-actualization

• improve communication skills

​• interoception

ISSUES I HELP WITH

  • Depression and Suicidal Ideation

  • Anxiety

  • LGBTQIA+ Issues

  • Perfectionism

  • Self-Esteem ​and Self-Compassion

  • Interpersonal Relationship Challenges

  • Life Transitions

  • Learning and Intellectual Disabilities​

  • Coping Skills and Stress Related Struggles

I AM TRAINED IN

  • ​Play Therapy Expressive Arts

  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Mindfulness

  • LGBTQIA+

  • Social Justice Multicultural Counseling​

  • Gender Expression

PROFFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Association for Play Therapy (APT)

  • Financial Chair, Central Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Association of Play Therapy (TxAPT)

  • National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)