Colleen Werner
Dancer, Author, Therapist-in-Training
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I’m a ballet dancer, author, and Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling student at Trevecca Nazarene University. I recovered from anorexia nervosa and live with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. I aspire to create an eating disorder treatment program for dancers.
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At the end of June, I was diagnosed with a milk allergy — specifically a non IgE mediated allergy, which has a more delayed reaction post dairy consumption than IgE mediated allergies, doesn’t show up on blood/skin tests, and can only be diagnosed by an elimination diet. It’s not lactose intolerance — it’s a true allergy to milk protein (casein). Despite having a lot of medical knowledge, I had no idea that non-IgE allergies exist — and how they can hide in plain sight! I was diagnosed with celiac disease at 18 + IBS-D a few years ago, but no one ever suspected a milk allergy. I’ve had allergies since childhood, and for the past few years was having really severe congestion + post nasal drip — so I finally had testing redone. I only tested positive for dust (severe) and dogs (moderately severe, already knew the severity on that one). But with my level of reflux + drainage, my allergist had a strong suspicion of a milk allergy — so she had me eliminate it and within a few days, my post nasal drip totally cleared up for the first time in years + noticed several other changes as well. To be clear, I’m not advocating for people to go dairy free w/o medical guidance (unless it’s for ethical reasons) — I don’t think that EVERYONE reacts negatively to dairy! But if you suspect an allergy, it’s worth considering! Going DF has been challenging mentally. A few years ago I started eating a lot less meat, and one of my main protein sources was cheese/milk. With sensory issues, there are many meat substitutes I don’t like, which has made getting enough protein hard. I do like some though + have also leaned into veggies that are higher in protein! I’ve found myself in grocery store aisles feeling really sad/discouraged when trying to find versions of foods I love that are both GF + DF. I’m balancing the validity of missing foods I love/the challenge to meet my nutritional needs while also seeing it as an opportunity to get creative and try new things ✨ While being DF (in addition to being GF) is challenging, it’s so worth it and I’m so glad that my doctor found the culprit of so many of my symptoms. Any other milk allergy peeps seeing this post? 💖
While my process of writing my book has been slower than I’d like due to life doing life things, I’m grateful for my time writing in coffee shops like @lth_edgehill, even if I only end up writing a few paragraphs between doing work tasks ✨ Currently in the process of writing chapter 22 and still don’t have any idea of a title or release date or any of that 🤪 With all of the chaos of work, travel, navigating newly being dairy free, losing Tidbit, and getting married in less than 2 months, I’ve been trying to be gentle with myself around this writing process, even though I wish I was in more of a flow or had more time to write. I’m loving writing E + K’s story (sorry, still no name reveal 🤐), and I’m excited to eventually share it with y’all ✨ Feel free to ask any questions you have about my book/writing process in the comments 🥰 . . . . . #romanceauthor #indieauthorsofinstagram #indieauthors #indieauthor #romancebooks #romancereads #amwritingfiction #amwriting #romancenovels
I am so lucky and grateful to have the opportunity to supervise Masters level therapy interns — in the past few months since I started supervising I’ve learned and gained so much and wanted to share a few of those insights with you ✨ 1) It’s so amazing to be able to come full circle and have the ability to give back to therapists in training who are in grad school and just starting to learn how to be therapists — I had the privilege of having amazing supervisors both in grad school and post grad while I was working towards full licensure who really helped shaped me into the clinician I am today, and I always strive to provide this experience to my supervisees as well 2) Becoming a supervisor has helped me grow as a clinician — there’s an added layer of intentionality and commitment to expanding your skill set when you’re teaching someone how to be a therapist! 3) It’s been beautiful to see how @thegaiacenter has grown over the years since 2020 when it was just me and @valkaymartin — and every time we have a new intern, it helps us continue to blossom with added diverse perspectives ✨ 4) I love that we’re able to expand access to mental healthcare. We do pay-what-you-can sessions with our grad level interns — and it’s like having 4 therapists in one because they’re also supervised by me, Val, and their school supervisor! While interns are not licensed yet, they’re so hungry to learn and grow, which creates an amazing therapy experience. Being a supervisor is such a privilege that I’m so grateful for 💗 . . . . . #traumatherapist #traumatherapy #psychotherapist #mentalhealthblogger #therapistsofinstagram #therapyiscool #nashvilleblogger #therapistlife #nashvilleinfluencer #counselorsofinstagram
vegas recap 💖 ✨ dinner at @crossroadskitchen (vegan w/ so many gluten free options!!!) ✨ cutest photo opp at @siegelsbagelmania — while udi’s bagels aren’t my fave, having them as an option felt so good when GF + DF breakfast options are hard to come by!!! ✨ power walking through the entirety of the venetian property so that val and i could find a cafe we were looking for with a bunch of GF/vegan options that was SO hard to find ✨ pic with the most expensive smoothie and oatmeal ever from @truthandtoniccafe ✨ blurry dancing on a training break with the amazing @simone.grace.seol ✨ meeting the amazing @susannabarkataki — we’ve been internet friends for a bit but so cool to meet in person 🥹 ✨ walking around the venetian (not power walking this time!!!) before our show at the sphere — wearing @whatlowants!! ✨ the sphere!!! so cool — we saw the “postcards from earth” film and it was so thought provoking and just a unique experience ✨ dancing in the elevator after the sphere bc the comp kid in me can’t resist a good tilt ✨ chatting with the incredible @melissatiers after the training such an amazing trip — pretty lucky to have @valkaymartin as not just my boss, but also my friend!!! loved getting to bond more + spend time brainstorming on alllll of the things about continuing to grow @thegaiacenter 💖 . . . . . #midsizefashion #travelbloggers #whathappensinvegas #travelblog #midsizeblogger #therapistlife #travelblogger #veganfood #marketingmanager #socialmediamanager
Our sweet Tibbles girl now forever has a place on our arms ❤️🩹 Tibbles was our fave nickname for Tidbit — and when we thought about a memorial tattoo, we knew we had to use it. Shortly after she passed, we made a tattoo appt with @quinnekalynbodyart at @artwerkstattoos (a friend I met through a book club) but we weren’t quite sure what we wanted for the design aside from her nickname. Yesterday, a few hours before the appointment I texted my sweet friend @_samiejo_ (from my Harry Styles group chat) to see if she could possibly make a sketch of Tidbit’s ears from a photo (swipe to see it) — and within 20 minutes she sent the most perfect outline that exactly captured Tidbit’s expressive ears 💗 Quinne then added the lettering underneath, and it was exactly what we wanted. Having two friends be part of this special tattoo made it even more meaningful — and I’m so glad we both now have a part of our girl that we can look down and see whenever we want/need to 🤍 . . . . . #petloss #petmemorial #nashvilleinfluencer #griefjourney #pettattoo #yorkiegram #yorkielove #nashvilleblogger #rainbowbridge #nashvillebloggers
Like many people, I often find myself getting caught up in wanting people to like me or think “I’m cool.” The other day I found some old photos and something that came across my mind while looking through is that my younger self would think I’m SO cool and would definitely want to hang out with me 🥹 It’s human nature to want to to be likable — and at the same time, ultimately we should strive to like ourselves above all else — especially since we’re the only person we’re with for our entire lives. I know my younger self would love talking about dance and Harry Styles with me, she’d love making art together, she’d love that I’m writing a book, she’d love talking about what she’s reading, and so much more. So, the next time you’re feeling like you don’t belong or that people don’t like you, remember that your younger self thinks you’re pretty cool — and that there are also so many people who do care about you and think you’re cool, even if you don’t know it 💖
Today marks exactly 2 months until our wedding 🥹 Only a few finishing details left to plan — everything is really coming together which is SO exciting 🥰 All that’s left: ✨ Pick/order dinnerware ✨ Finish up decor ✨ Layout/seating chart ✨ Hair and makeup trial ✨ Dress fitting ✨ Order bridal party gifts ✨ Pick my wedding ring ✨ Design/order day of stationary/signs ✨ Finalize mocktail recipes ✨ Book flights What questions do you have about our wedding/planning process? Let me know in the comments 💖 Photo: @jasminebrookephotography . . . . . #weddingplanning #californiawedding #socalwedding #zola #2024bride #sandiegoweddings #bridetobe #sandiegowedding #modernwedding #modernbride #theknot #sdwedding