About Me

Welcome to Scattered Potential and thank you for taking the time to get to know more about me. First off my name is Colleen (she/her/hers). If you want to get formal, it’s Colleen Riggs, LMFT. I work with adults with trauma, anxiety and ADHD or other executive dysfunction struggles to support them in their desire to overcome the obstacles and self-doubt preventing their lives and relationships from becoming better, more productive and healthier. I help them to reach their goals and create the life they want to live.

I started this website because I too struggled greatly for most of my life with these same outcomes. To be completely transparent I still struggle from time to time, the process is never perfect or linear. I love my career and my passion is helping people. I am here to provide basic skills, tools, and general information to individuals looking for a better understanding of themselves as well as ways to address certain concerns. 

My blog covers a variety of topics with an emphasis on Adult ADHD and EMDR. It includes various skills and information I personally have found helpful with either myself or with patients. This blog is in no way meant to replace therapy but can be a good starting point, supplement too or for maintenance after discontinuing therapy. I also hope to be able to provide access to information for those who may not have access to therapy. 

I chose the name Scattered Potential due to my final acceptance of my ADHD diagnosis. This was something that was diagnosed back when I was in middle school but at the time there was even less understanding of ADHD let alone how different it looks in biological females so it wasn’t something we entertained. 

As a result, I spend most of my adolescence and adulthood struggling with self-esteem and self-worth. I developed anxiety which often turned into periods of depression. I was constantly exhausted from working so hard to get average grades when others seemed to quickly grasp concepts and got much better grades. I struggled sitting still for long periods of time and would often be daydreaming even when consciously trying to pay attention. I was often in trouble at home for “forgetting” to do things “on purpose” and I felt worthless. 

In adulthood, I finally found a therapist I ended up clicking with. She helped me tremendously with overcoming my anxiety, challenging my self-doubt, and seeing my strength and resilience. With her help, I began the process of going back to school for my Master’s in Counseling Psychology. 

I have worked in a variety of settings since then, including a group home for runaway youth; foster children; families involved with CPS; substance abuse; homeless adults with/out severe mental health disorders, and Eating Disorders.

In December 2019 I completed EMDR Basic Training and in December 2020 I completed the requirements to become an EMDRIA Certified Therapist. In January 2021 my application was confirmed and now I can confidently say I am an EMDRIA Certified EMDR clinician! EMDR has changed not only my practice but also my life. I absolutely love the transformation I have seen in my patients in a shorter amount of time than any other modality I have used. I especially enjoy seeing the changes in those who have been in therapy for years with little improvement.

I believe that inside everyone is the potential to create a life worth living. Some of us just need a little more support to see that potential because it’s so scattered or fragmented. 

If you would like more information about any of the topics I write about feel free to message me: Colleen@ScatteredPotential.com, subscribe to my blog, and/or newsletter. 

-Colleen Riggs, LMFT

Interested in working with me? Check out my Therapy page to learn more. Or check out my FAQ’s page.

*My blog is not intended to replace professional mental health services. Please see my Resources page for directories to find a professional in your area. 

**If you are experiencing a psychiatric or medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.  You can also find additional crisis resources on my Crisis Resources page.