College of Education
Catharine Beecher
Instructor of Counseling and Human Services
College of Education
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 262-3934
Catharine Beecher is an instructor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services. Although involved in various helping professions since the late 1970s, Dr. Beecher is a late-comer to the formal profession of counseling. She worked as a physician, medical practice manager, fiduciary, parent, high school and community counselor, and leader in several community and school organizations whose missions were enhancing the quality of education and mental health care prior to becoming a counselor educator. In her practice, Catharine uses a strength-based, solution-focused approach with adolescents and adults in transition. Her own signature strengths are evident in her teaching and counseling. An avid, lifelong learner, she is also in the process of obtaining certification as a life coach in order to better facilitate her students and other helping professionals to craft a successful and satisfying life career.
Long interested in neuroscience and mind-body connections as related to stress-management, performance, and health, Catharine's current professional focus is on the burgeoning field of positive psychology - the science of people being and doing their best. Her goal is to share her learning with others and apply the tenets of positive psychology in her work. Her interest is piqued by evolving research that shows cultivating positive attitudes, building relationships, finding meaning in one's work, and being fully engaged in the business of life enhances physical as well as mental wellbeing.
Education
M.D., General Medicine
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver
M.A., Counseling
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
B.A., Environmental Biology
University of Colorado, Boulder
Teaching
COUN 530
Lab in Family and Marriage Counseling
COUN 533
Issues, Ethics and Trends in the Helping Professions
COUN 543
Career Development
COUN 512
Practicum in Community Counseling
COUN 572
Internship in Community Counseling
Scholarship
Service
University
- Faculty Advisor to Upsilon Chapter, Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Honor Society)
- Member: Grievance Committee of the College of Education