“Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be?”
― Charles Bukowski
Hi! I’m Dr. Eileen Chen.
I’m a licensed clinical psychologist who helps teens (13-17) and young adults (18-35) struggling with substance use, trauma, and all the messy emotions that come with trying to figure life out.
I get that opening up can be tough—especially if you come from a family where feelings and mental health just aren’t things people talk about. That’s where I come in. I specialize in trauma, substance use, and the mental health struggles that often go hand in hand with both, working specifically with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and other BIPOC young people and their families. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or like you're just in a funk, I can help you make sense of it all and move forward in a way that feels right for you.
Why Work With Me?
I keep therapy real and relatable—warm, direct, and with a sense of humor—because healing doesn’t have so serious all the time.
I have expertise in proven techniques like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Brainspotting, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and harm reduction approaches to help you manage emotions, understand and break free from unhelpful patterns, and regain control of your life.
I specialize in working with teens and young adults of color, recognizing that we can't talk about mental health without also talking about cultural identity, family expectations, societal pressures, and systemic and social stressors.
I also work with parents to help them understand what their children going through, connect better, and support them in a way that helps—not add more stress.
I’ve been through my own share of struggles—I wasn’t always on this path. As a high school drop out with a checkered past, I know what it’s like to feel lost, and I know firsthand that change is possible with the right support.
What You Can Expect
Therapy with me isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about helping you understand yourself better, so you can make choices that align with who you want to be.
If family relationships are part of what’s making things hard, I also help bridge the gap between you and your parents. A lot of parents want to support their kids but don’t know how, or they don’t realize how their expectations impact their children’s mental health. If you want, we can bring them into the process in a way that feels safe and productive for you.
Together, we’ll work through the tough stuff, whether that’s past trauma, substance use, family challenges, or just feeling like you don’t quite fit anywhere. At the end of the day, my goal is to help you build a life that feels fulfilling and meaningful—on your terms.
If you’re ready to start, let’s talk. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Licensure
Licensed Psychologist in Colorado — PSY.0006258
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) Granted by the PSYPACT Commission* — APIT #17424
Education
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology | University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT (APA-accredited)
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology | University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology | George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Experience and Training
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Substance Treatment, Education, and Prevention | Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO
Pre-Doctoral Internship: Child and Family Integrated Substance Use Disorders | Denver Health Medical Center, Denver, CO (APA-accredited)
Trainer for impACT: An MI/ACT/EFT Treatment for Substance Use and Co-Occurring Conditions
Advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples and Families
Trained in Brainspotting Phase 1 & 2
Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
*PSYPACT is an interstate compact which offers a voluntary expedited pathway for practice to qualified psychologists who wish to practice in multiple states. PSYPACT is designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries. In order to practice telepsychology in PSYPACT states, psychologists licensed in PSYPACT states only, can apply to the PSYPACT Commission for an Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT). In order to conduct temporary practice in PSYPACT states, psychologists licensed in PSYPACT states only can apply to the PSYPACT Commission for a Temporary Authorization to Practice (TAP). The PSYPACT Commission is the governing body of PSYPACT and is comprised of one representative from each PSYPACT state. More information regarding PSYPACT and its requirements can be found at www.psypact.org.