Dr. Colleen Kowalke, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist
Hello dear friends. I was born, lived, and loved Canada for most of my life and only recently became a citizen of the United States. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology in Manitoba, while in Canada, then went on to obtain my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology in North Dakota. Not surprising, it was NOT warm there. I continued to move in a southern direction and landed in Colorado, where I studied and graduated with my Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology, in the special field of Trauma. From there, I eventually made my way South to Arizona where the weather is much more to my liking. It was there that I was fortunate enough to work with the healers at The Meadows in Wickenburg, Arizona.
My work at The Meadows became the foundation for my understanding of counseling and the human condition, and opened my eyes and my world to new ways of helping and healing. I continue to work every day with the principles and philosophies of Pia Mellody, as well as other important fellows, elders, and leaders of The Meadows. In my own work, I have learned techniques, including Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) to assist clients with processing and releasing trauma. I am currently studying Peter Levine’s work in Somatic Experiencing (SE). Peter Levine is a fellow at The Meadows and the creator of SE for understanding and healing trauma.
My philosophy for counseling is that “It’s all about kindness, unless it’s about mindfulness.” I believe that people are meant to evolve in psychological ways and will do so when they become ready. I have chosen to help guide and nurture individuals through these times, to provide safety and healing in a warm atmosphere. Eventually, it is my desire to combine several elements of wellness, including nutrition, chiropractic, massage, yoga and spirituality, for a more holistic approach to wellness and provide all of these services in one location at Del Soul Integrated Wellness. Stay tuned…
Namaste
Dani Contreras, LPC
Nutritional Wellness Practitioner
Hello! My name is Danielle Contreras, but my whole life I have gone by Dani. I was born in southern New Mexico and spent the first 10 years of my life there. My family then moved to Arizona, where I have lived ever since. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in 2008 from the University of Phoenix. As I was working towards this degree, I quickly realized that I was not passionate towards my major. I did, however, take a great interest in a psychology course that I took, it was fascinating! This led to me completing a Master’s Degree in Psychology in 2010, also at University of Phoenix. It is safe to say that I fell in love during that time. Unfortunately, this degree did not have clinical training, so it was back to the University of Phoenix to complete a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2015. I was fortunate enough to complete my internship with a Psychologist who specialized in trauma and helped me discover that trauma was what I wanted to specialize in as well.
Because I have a love for learning and firmly believe that in this profession it is vital to never stop learning, my training has not ended with my degrees. I have recently completed a Holistic Wellness Nutrition Practitioner program at the Southwest Institute for Healing Arts in 2017. This has allowed me to incorporate nutritional wellness into my therapeutic approach and discover that feeding our bodies properly can have a major impact on our overall well-being. In 2017 I also received training for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). My work experience has been very diverse. I have worked with adults and children in individual, family, and group settings. I have spent most of my time working with individuals who have experienced some form of trauma in their lives.
While my professional life has been growing, my personal life has been as well. I married in 2006 to an Army soldier. After he left the military, we had our oldest daughter in 2008 and our youngest in 2010. As a family we love to travel and make a point of helping our daughters experience the world and appreciate all it has to offer.
My philosophy for life and counseling is simple: each person is entirely unique and therefore invaluable. I believe that it is human nature to be imperfect and that this is a wonderful thing. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found my passion in helping others gain a sense of self-worth and empowerment that will allow them to live the life that they want to live.
Pam Poole
Hello, thank you for visiting our website and allowing us to introduce ourselves. I am Pam (pambam) Poole. I currently live in the state of Alabama.
A few things going for Alabama… green trees, rolling hills, sweet singing waters. It’s home.
However, I once had another home. Right in the heart of Phoenix Arizona! I learned of Del Soul seven years ago. My husband and I had just moved to Arizona. I moved primarily because of my husband’s job requirements. I had no idea what magnanimous life and career turns were in store for me over the next seven years in Arizona.
When we first moved away from Alabama, I had over 25years of RN experience in a variety of nursing specialties: oncology (cancer patient treatments), supervision (hospital house sup), cardiac critical care (twelve experience rich years), and in-patient psychiatric (six equally rich years).
After research, I accepted a position in Glendale, AZ as an Outpatient Psychiatric RN. During my hospital orientation, I met the newest (and only) Outpatient Psychologist, Dr Colleen Kowalke. Of all the exciting, wonderful ideas and knowledge Dr Kowalke introduced me to over those seven years, her dream of Del Soul Counseling was among the first.
We routinely watered those dreams with conversation and yearnings to the universe. The evolution of Del Soul has been one of the most enriching lifetime journeys I have witnessed and joined. In June of 2018, again, my husband’s work called for a change. We have since moved back to Alabama very near my family. I must say it truly has been a sweet home Alabama reunion. My husband, our four-legged boy child, and I have settled into our home. I am slowly but very surely adjusting to the quiet and slow pace. My roots are showing! When perhaps we speak on the phone, you will immediately hear them.
How could I leave the Del Soul story in mid-chapter! I have moved but I haven’t left the dream! It is such a pleasure and honor to continue working remotely with Del Soul Psychology and Counseling.
I am Pambam, the one who will contact you once you outreach to either our office number (623-414-3954) or email (delsoulcounseling@gmail.com). I will follow you throughout your authorization and appointment process. What a pleasure it is to have a part of your Del Soul journey.
rom ONC RN to BSN SUP, to CVICU RN to PSY RN to finally RRN
Havi Kang LPC, ASAT
Hi there! My name is Havi and I run the Women’s Intimacy Group at Del Soul! Please inquire with Pambam for more information about the group.
A little bit about me:
I’m originally from London, England, I moved from the U.K. to the U.S. when I was ten years old. It took me some time to adjust to Arizona, but now I love being here. My journey to this point in life has not been easy but I am grateful for everything I have been through, I feel like my best self with plenty of room for more growth.
I’ve always had a way with helping people and found my calling during my undergraduate degree. I went to Northern Arizona University and received my undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology in 2011. Shortly after, I began working towards my graduate degree at University of Phoenix to earn a Master’s in Mental Health and Clinical Counseling in 2015. While working on my Masters, I enrolled in Yoga Teacher Training to become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. I found this training invaluable, it taught me so much about myself and how to help others to heal other than talk therapy.
I am currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Associate Sexual Addiction Therapist (ASAT). I work fulltime at The Meadows as a trauma therapist at the young adult campus, Claudia Black Young Adult Center. I have experience working not only inpatient, but also in outpatient settings too. I’ve worked with couples, families, individuals, and groups. I have treated people with depressive/mood related disorders, anxiety disorders, childhood & adult trauma, substance abuse addictions, process addictions, personality disorders, attachment issues, codependency, perfectionism, relationship issues (Love Addiction/Love Avoidance), boundary issues, self-esteem issues, I have received training in sexual addictions and a trauma treatment called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I plan to get trained in Somatic Experiencing (SE) in 2020 to continue strengthening my treatment approaches for the whole body and soul.
My philosophy for therapy is all about acknowledging that the mind is universal thus I am sensitive to cultural differences and value a strong therapeutic bond. My trauma-informed therapeutic approach is all accomplished through the lens of compassion, encouragement, validation, support, nurture, and accountability. My goal is to speak to the whole person – to integrate the mind, body, and soul to promote mental and physical health.