From surviving to thriving.
Dr. Bridget Colacchio, Ph.D., LCSW
My mission
To change the narrative on well-being by spreading research-based wisdom and practices, supporting individuals and teams to live, love, and work from a place of embodied self-worth and freedom.
I envision a world where people are free to express themselves, connect deeply with others, and explore, choose, innovate, and lead with calm, confidence, courage and creativity.
Hi, I’m Bridget!
(Dr. Colacchio or Dr. C, as my students call me.)
With over 20 years of experience as a leader, educator, researcher, clinical social worker, and caregiver, I am on a mission to bridge the gap between struggle and well-being.
My research on well-being, relationships, and freedom over the past decade uncovered remarkable truths that validated my work and observations of the thousands of students, colleagues, clients, research participants, and community members I have had the privilege to work with, lead, and learn from over the years.
Honoring stories
The wisdom and practices I now share is a credit to the people who courageously have shared their lives, struggles, and triumphs with me throughout my clinical, academic, and research career. This work honors them and their stories.
You are invited to share your story, too.
My commitments
Every decision is shaped by my values and clear sense of purpose: changing the way we think about and champion well-being to help you be well so you can do well.
Simple ideas.
Human-first approach.
Skills for real change.
Ripples of impact.
On a personal note
What I learned through my clinical work, teaching, research, and leadership also validated my own lived experiences.
While I was navigating these different facets of my career, I was also juggling profound obstacles and losses in my life. Only in hindsight did I realize that I was practicing the tools and perspectives supported by my research as I found my way out of the dumpster fire of my challenging circumstances. I stepped away from a toxic marriage and other unhealthy relationships, faced a brutal health diagnosis, changed jobs, acclimated to single parenting, finished my PhD, moved across the country, and am now delighting in the freedom of my personal transformation.
I learned to listen to my inner voice and follow my inner compass (again, or for the first time). I connected deeply to a new-found belief in my innate worthiness. Then, my sense of true freedom came rushing in as I walked away from depleting circumstances and into spaces and relationships that align with my true nature. The ripple effect has been life-changing for me and those around me.
Not only does my research support the truth in the Way to Well-being© and Well-leadership© models, but so does my life.
Paying it forward
A principal gift of this synergy between my professional, research, and personal insights and discoveries is what I offer through this work.
It is the honor of my life to share the gifts I have received—clarity, ease, love, and generative energy— with my team and colleagues, my clients and students, my family, friends, and children, and now with you!
What people are saying
anonymous
Event attendee
“Dr. Colacchio's knowledge and ease with the topic made me feel comfortable so it was easy to understand what was being shared…Breaking down a huge, complex topic in a very digestible manner with practical skills to use? I’m excited to recommend her to several groups I belong to and to invite her to run our leadership retreats.”
D.J.
Student
“I thought the course was designed extremely effectively. Dr. C was absolutely amazing! She is extremely knowledgeable but would always require us to think outside the box, deepening our critical thinking skills.”
anonymous
Workshop participant
“Bridget is the perfect person to guide others in finding greater well-being. Her welcoming and calm demeanor; her depth of knowledge are outstanding. She weaves her personal journey in with her teachings, making her a relatable, engaging human being.”
A.R.
Workshop participant
“The well-being workshop was a much welcomed invitation to silence the lies I've told myself. It was an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reframe those thoughts while setting some new foundation to reset. ”
V.B.
Colleague
“It was truly great working with you and seeing the model of leadership and service you brought to your role. Your contributions to our community have been invaluable.”