Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cate Mccollum. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cate, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
As a mental health therapist, I have the privilege of working closely with children, teens, and their parents. One of the core beliefs that drives my practice is the importance of the parent-child relationship and attachment dynamics. I’m fortunate to hold space for both parents and children as they navigate life’s challenges. A common theme in parent sessions is the realization that there’s no manual for raising children. As I empathize with parents who are experiencing these challenges for the first time, I also reflect on the impact my own parents had on shaping my life and career.
As a teen and young adult, it can be easy to place blame on our parents for things we perceive as mistakes. However, true growth comes from shifting our perspective. I’m grateful that my parents did many things right in raising me. Despite the challenges and struggles, they instilled in me the values of family, hard work, commitment, selflessness, resilience, and love. One of the most impactful lessons they taught me was the value of experiences over material possessions. In our family, experiences were always prioritized, and my parents knew that these experiences played a key role in developing my character and my ability to love others.
One of the most significant experiences of my life was traveling to Uganda during my senior year of college. As a college soccer player, I volunteered with the organization Soccer Without Borders. Although it would have been understandable for my parents to hesitate about letting me travel halfway across the world as a 21-year-old, they understood that this experience would help me develop independence and the courage to pursue my dreams, even when they felt intimidating.
These life experiences have been invaluable in my role as a therapist. They have given me the ability to sit with my clients through their struggles and create a safe space for new perspectives and personal growth.
Cate, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a mental health therapist at Tolleson Counseling Center in Marietta, Georgia. My journey into the mental health field began with a passion for school counseling, which I pursued during my undergraduate studies at Berry College. After working as a school counselor, I felt called to provide deeper, more holistic support to my clients. I wanted to move beyond quick, solution-focused interventions and truly understand and walk alongside my clients through all aspects of their lives.
I specialize in working with children, teens, and young adult women dealing with anxiety, perfectionism, and life transitions. I work with goal-oriented individuals who believe in personal growth, even when they feel stuck. In therapy, I focus on helping clients align their actions and thoughts with their values and beliefs, while creating an environment that promotes a sense calm, growth, and encouragement.
As a former college athlete and advocate for the role of sports in mental health, I’m passionate about helping athletes manage performance anxiety, improve communication skills, and develop their identities outside of sports. I integrate a values-based, strengths-focused approach with cognitive behavioral techniques to support athletes in their mental and emotional well-being.
My goal for every client is for them to leave each session feeling refreshed, supported, and proud of who they are.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
If I could go back in time to my undergraduate and graduate years, I would absolutely choose the same field and profession. My background and graduate degree are in School Counseling, a path that was deeply influenced by the positive impact my own school counselor had on me growing up. I hold the utmost respect for School Counselors and Educators. Before transitioning to private practice therapy, I worked as a School Counselor across elementary, middle, and high school levels. In this role, I delivered social-emotional learning lessons, provided crisis support, coordinated small groups, met with parents, and offered brief individual counseling to help students return to the classroom.
These experiences gave me a deeper understanding of the ongoing mental health and counseling needs of students. The time I spent in the school system revealed the challenges students face on a daily basis and highlighted the importance of collaboration between School Counselors and Educators. Now, using both my background as a School Counselor and my training as a Mental Health Therapist, I bring a unique perspective to my work with clients, allowing me to offer more comprehensive support tailored to their needs.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
In the mental health therapy field, continuous training and knowledge expansion are essential, but I believe that one of the most important factors for success is building strong relationships and seeking mentorship. As a retired college athlete, former School Counselor, and active member of the Cobb County community, I have always emphasized the importance of cultivating and maintaining meaningful connections with coaches, educators, and others in my community. I strive to make every interaction a learning opportunity, recognizing that each connection has the potential to enrich my understanding and growth. I feel fortunate to have been surrounded by, and mentored by, some incredible therapists who have deeply influenced my professional journey.
In addition to the importance of relationships and mentorship, personal growth has been a key factor in my success as a mental health therapist. I feel most successful when I am grounded and confident in my ability to make a positive impact, both as a therapist and in my personal roles as a wife and friend. I owe much of my continued growth and self-exploration to the support and guidance of my own therapist, who has played a crucial role in helping me stay centered and focused in my personal and professional life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tollesoncc.com/about-cate-mccollum
- Instagram: @tollesoncounseling
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cate-mccollum
