Conversations with the Inspiring Dr. Colleen Vaillancourt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Colleen Vaillancourt.

Dr. Vaillancourt, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Ontario, Canada. After a series of life events, I was introduced to Chiropractic care as a teenager. It seemed like the perfect fit as a future career because of my love of service, health, wellness, fitness, and alternative medicine. I completed an Honors BSc. in Human Kinetics at the University of Guelph in 2001 and headed to Seneca Falls, NY to attend the New York Chiropractic College. I completed school there in 2004 and worked in NY for a couple of years and then moved across the country to Colorado and opened my own practice, Golden Cliffs Chiropractic in October 2006. I am in my third location and have been in my current location for 11 years – downtown Golden. www.goldencliffschiro.com

While practicing Chiropractic I decided to be trained in Reiki to have a skill to address the emotional connections I was seeing in the physical body. I am now a Reiki Master at Divine Healing Reiki and have been practicing Reiki for 10 years. www.goldencliffschiro.com

Over a year ago I decided I wanted to publish a book and ended up publishing a 7 book fantasy children’s series this past June. The books include a cute story that reflects the character, intention, affirmations, new belief, discovery questions, meditation, yoga poses, essential oils, and gemstones/crystals. www.drcolleenbooks.com

I am a single mom of a beautiful little girl, our dog, Dacks and cat, Zion.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
At Chiropractic school, they taught us how to be Doctors, but not how to run a business. I was fortunate to work for several months at one of my teacher’s offices and learned the business aspect of it.

It was a different role to learn a new city and get out there and network to not only promote my services but to learn who I could refer to. That was a lot of work for the first several years. With things changing it is a constant concern, “am I getting out there enough?”

My goal after losing several chiropractic mentors at young ages was to focus on balance and preserve my body. That can be a tough decision when you have school loans and expenses.

I also came to Colorado and was attempting to associate with other practices and was given some not good feeling deals.

I have shared space with other colleagues and have had employees and all of that provided much growth and experience I was never taught.

In 2011, I decided to give back and brought in a new graduate of Chiropractic and gave her the deal and I always hoped to receive. A chance for her to get on her feet and succeed.

I am currently in the space by myself and I enjoy it, but it can be lonely at times. You have to learn what works best for you.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
Chiropractor – Specialist of the neuro-musculoskeletal system. I am passionate about posture, gait, ergonomics, daily living activities, fitness, nutrition, & emotional well-being.

Reiki Master – Work with the energy centers of the body that govern our emotional well being. Gentle hands-on healing with an emphasis on mindfulness, meditation, childhood injuries, & tools for empowerment.

Children’s Book Author – My goal was to create a series of books that provide families with tools and dialogue to help navigate through our physical world and stay connected to our spiritual/emotional world.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
This is not my strong suit. I had many wonderful mentors going through school, but in Colorado with starting a practice, I mostly stay in contact with my 4 girlfriends from chiropractic school and 3 colleagues here.

In my first few years, I was a part of starting a women’s health network in Downtown Golden.

Pricing:

• Initial Office Visit 1 hr – Chiro $100 Treatment Visit 30 mins – $50
• Reiki Initial Office Visit 1.5hr- $110 Reiki Treatment Visit 1.25hr $100
• Children’s Book $13.95/each

Contact Info:

• Address: Golden Cliffs Chiropractic
  Divine Healing Reiki
  1111 Washington Ave. Suite 117
  Golden, CO 80401
• Website: www.goldencliffschiro.com, www.drcolleenbooks.com
• Phone: 303-273-0866
• Email: goldencliffschiro@gmail.com
• Instagram: drcolleen_dc
• Facebook: Dr. Colleen Vaillancourt, DC – Chiropractor, Reiki Master, Author & Speaker
• Twitter: DrColleen_DC

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