About Colleen

Colleen Stegenga is no stranger to change. While she preferred the comfort of animals over people as a child, adulthood introduced her to a love for the presence of people. With her undergraduate degree in hand, she traded small-town South Dakota for Sioux Falls (but she didn’t give up her love for all animals). And after twenty years in business administration, she followed her true calling and pursued a career in social work. 

In 2006, Colleen began a nine year stint at a Sioux Falls elementary school as an office secretary. Her job title implied that her day-to-day work would consist of handling various administrative duties; however, as she would soon discover, her work would also involve fostering a sense of belonging among the students who walked through the school’s doors. 

She interacted with kids all day, every day, and witnessed the reality of children’s basic needs going unmet. She spent hours engaged in conversation with the kids. She realized that she wanted to ensure somebody heard them, listened to them, and gave them time. She wanted to help them find their voice. She wanted to empower them and let them know that they mattered. She wanted them to know that she cared. 

So in 2013, Colleen prepared for her biggest life change to date: she enrolled in the University of South Dakota’s Master of Social Work program. Her educational pursuits would lead her to a career at a mental health agency, where she further developed her counseling abilities with both individuals and groups. 

Now the founder of Embracing Change, Colleen continues to encourage and support others in their mental health journeys. She strives to help others manage and overcome the symptoms of anxiety, depression, dysfunctional families, negative self-esteem and more. 

While she continues to work with kids, she has expanded her practice to include the anxiety and struggles that surround middle age. She enjoys helping women conquer these daily obstacles and learn how to love themselves wholly.

Colleen is here to remind her clients that they matter, that their feelings are valid, and that they can still go out into the world and do amazing things. 

Outside of the office, Colleen enjoys spending time outdoors with her two pups, Callie and Beauty.This love for exploring often takes her all over the country. (Well, sort of. Warm sunshine is a must when it comes to her favorite travel destinations.) Most of all, she cherishes time spent with her husband, two daughters, and their small herd of animals.

• Master of Social Work - The University of South Dakota, 2016
• Bachelor of Business Administration – Dakota State University,1992
• South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners Licensed Social Worker – Private Independent Practice of Social Work – October 2018, License Number 4880
• South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners Licensed Social Worker – Certified Social Worker August 2016, License Number 3592
• Behavior Tech, The Linehan Institute, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Level 2 Skills Training – 2018
• The Police Chaplain Basic Course Certificate - 2019
• National Association of Social Workers – 2013 to present
• Eagala Equine Psychotherapy Certified – 2020
• North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners Licensed Social Worker -  Private Independent Practice of Social Work – February 2024, License Number 6705