Colby Odom, LMSW

08/14/2025

Grief isn’t a weakness that needs to be hidden or a burden that needs to be lifted. Grief is nothing to be ashamed of.

It is a reminder that something beautiful has been alive within you and proof that love existed.

A reminder that something beautiful once touched your life— Allow yourself to feel it.

We unravel this on different timelines and there are no right answers, right protocols, right way to grieve.

Honor your grief because it is sacred and a recognition of the depths of your own heart and soul.

In time, you will become stronger. Not because it is forgotten, but because you have learned how to carry love and loss— together.

07/26/2025

I am happy to announce that I have accepted a position as a Therapist with Green Country Behavioral Health Services and will begin this journey in a few weeks.

I wanted to take a moment to give a shoutout to the incredible company, GCBHS, and the amazing community that I will have the honor of serving. After 3 years in hospice and home health I have learned an immense amount about grief and the dying process and the impact it can have on people and families. Working with individuals and families to process su***de, homicide, and life threatening illnesses has given a lot of insight into how families and individuals can find hope and healing— No matter the circumstances.

Prior to this, working with Oklahoma Human Services within the child welfare system. This also gave us knowledge on how families operate and that despite the circumstance, hope and change are always possible.

Now, working with adults in the field of mental health with some of the most incredible practitioners. I am honored and thankful to be able to serve my community alongside such an incredible agency and I look forward to the future and the great impacts that come from community partnerships and participation.

I want to close with one of my favorite quotes about hope. Princess Leia in Star Wars: The Last Jedi said, “Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you can see it, you’ll never make it through the night.”

I am excited and hopeful about this partnership and I cannot wait to see where it takes us— together.

Thank you!

06/19/2025

Honoring this important day in history. It is a powerful reminder of freedom and the work that still continues today.

Happy Juneteenth, friends.

06/12/2025

05/18/2025

Whether you're nearing goodbye, or walking with the weight of grief— you don't have to navigate this alone.

I offer presence.

Gentle, steady, human.

Hospice support.
Grief companionship.
Conversations that matter.

05/15/2025

Grief can be difficult. Just remember, you don’t have to deal with death alone.

03/16/2025

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a form of counseling in which play is used to help express emotions and feelings.

Rather than using traditional methods such as talking, play is the most basic type of communication (and not just for children but people of all ages.)

A “Client Centered” approach is a method that focuses on a persons strengths, potential for growth, and individual self determination. A core principle states the client is the expert of their life and experiences and avoids giving solutions and direction. Rather, focuses on giving space for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings using authentic and empathetic understanding to work toward goals while maintaining unconditional positive regard.

Client Centered Therapy was founded by Carl Rogers in the 1940’s. Play based therapy involves the use of toys, games, and other materials as a language. Play becomes a way of expression and can help improve social skills, improve problem solving, and build self-esteem.

Client centered play therapy (C.C.P.T.) is both the use of toys and games, also the ability to explore emotions and feelings permissively and freely.

Research has shown there is a therapeutic benefit using play therapy. Child Centered Play Therapy has been shown to help children perform better academically and improve their relationships. It is used in many different circumstances such as grief, illness, abuse and neglect, and divorce. The need for safety and freedom of expression are important for C.C.P.T.

Becoming a Registered Play Therapist is a two-year licensing process with exams and supervision requirements.

I am currently in Phase 2 of training to become a Registered Play Therapist. Currently, I am accepting clients with Medicaid in Oklahoma to gain required hours and pass exams to become a Registered Play Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I do hold a position as a Clinical Therapist Candidate and licensed to practice under clinical supervision in Oklahoma (OK. Lic. 20903) with Quest Mental Health Services.

If you or a loved one may be in need of mental health treatment or play based therapy, please give me a call at 918-205-1092

I am so passionate about play!

Sources:

https://gsehd.gwu.edu/child-centered-play-therapy #:~:text=Research%20has%20found%20that%20children,relationships%20with%20caregivers%20and%20teachers

https://dictionary.apa.org/client-centered-therapy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589708/

https://www.a4pt.org/page/PTMakesADifference/Play-Therapy-Makes-a-Difference.htm #:~:text=Play%20therapy%20helps%20children%3A,acceptance%20of%20self%20and%20others

http://cpt.unt.edu/what-play-therapy

02/07/2025

I wanted to take a moment to re-introduce myself. My name is Colby Odom and I am a licensed social worker from Lake Eufaula, OK.

I am currently accepting clients in the area that are on Medicaid, SoonerCare, or self-paying.

I have experience in hospice, child-welfare, and community mental health. I have completed Phase 1 of 3 for the creditental and licensure of Registered Play Therapist and will complete certification on May 1st, 2026. This highly sought after certification does have requirements, including hours face to face with clients and involves the use of card games, board games, drawing, and playing together.

I also take adult clients who are dealing with a wide variety of issues such as grief, loss, and su***de. I also have experience with couples and families in navigating life together. Whether you are struggling with situational problems or physical illness, I would love to touch base and see if there is anything I could do to help.

I am always open for a consultation and have openings in person and virtually.

See the virtual business cards below for some of the benefits and information regarding services I am currently offering.

01/20/2025

I have been nominated to join the board of directors for the Oklahoma Association of Play Therapy for 2025-2026.

This nomination quite literally changes the trajectory of skills, my career, and the advancement of services into rural Oklahoma.

The election will occur next month, in which all of the OKAPT members may cast a vote.

I cannot help but reflect on how terrified I was to sit in a chair, how inadequate I felt at times, and how this nomination quite literally makes me choke up.

My very first year as a social worker, I was recognized as the best hospice social worker in Oklahoma. The very next year, offered a nomination for this board that helps guide one of the greatest forms of therapy in Oklahoma. I’m just little, old, Colby.. The same young man that has been wandering across Oklahoma for decades.

Social workers do not become social workers for fame, riches, or recognition. We become social workers because we want to advance justice, we want to further healing, we want impact lives and enact change in our communities and families.

I am so thankful for Sans Bois Hospice and Compassion Home Health & Jeff McClellan, Jeremy Warren, and Stephanie Bryant with these teams.

I am also incredibly thankful for my incredible supervisor Professor Allison Mason out of Northeastern State University. (And really every single educator that I had the opportunity to learn from.) She is always there for encouragement (or calming me down). Without her- I would not be here and I absolutely recognize this and recommend her to others!

Lastly, I want to thank the Oklahoma Play Therapy Institute and its amazing staff. The CEO, Mrs. Nancy & all of their clinical staff which includes Mrs. Julie and all of her assistance that has helped me in this journey.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I look forward to the future!

Always remember, NEVER stop playing!

01/11/2025

I didn’t make or own this, but I loved the tips.

Remember to take care of yourself.