About Allison
Child, Adult & Couples Therapist

How I got Here

I was a teenager with a mission- I wanted to be the type of person that made others happy to be themselves. It was my hope that if I could help the people around me feel an increased sense of belonging, then I might be able to feel it for myself, too. I didn’t know it at the time, but this sentiment put me on the path to becoming a therapist.

My mission evolved into a passion for learning about people and the processes that make us who we are. The next step was to major in psychology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. During my senior year at Cal Poly, I took a job as a peer support specialist at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. My time there showed me that psychology was much more than just theory in textbooks. This was the first time that I really understood the value of this field – I saw how much good it could bring to people looking for healing.

Beginnings in Therapy

I hold my time at this rehabilitation center close to my heart. My clients and coworkers were so inspiring to me. In my coworkers, I saw a sincere desire to listen, learn, help, and heal. And in my clients, I saw insurmountable strength, vulnerability, and resilience. I was honored to work alongside these individuals.

My experience at rehab taught me that there is never a “right thing” to say. There is only genuine concern, real compassion, and the willingness to learn. Here, I got to witness the power of therapy and camaraderie as it worked to change my clients’ lives, and to rejoice in the notion that I contributed in some amount to their life’s reconstruction.

Education

Inspired by my work in rehab, I enrolled in Seattle University’s Couples and Family Therapy program to acquire skills and training that would allow me to continue to help people heal, grow, and rediscover themselves. Again, I found myself amongst a group of inspiring and admirable people. I felt moved by the sense of earnestness that seemed to show up in all aspects of our time together. Most days, I would leave class feeling as if being in the presence of this group had changed me for the better.

Seattle University’s coursework emphasized systemic thinking, collaboration, and a deep love for the work of therapy. Above all, Seattle University instilled within me a duty to honor clients’ unique experiences, prompting me to see the people sitting in front of me with clarity, compassion, and reverence.

How I Help

I see echoes of my teenage philosophy in my work as a therapist. I hope to be the kind of clinician that makes clients feel happy to be themselves. To do this, I focus on developing a sense of safety in our relationship and following the client’s lead in our work together. The client is the expert on themselves, and I work to make therapy a process that complements the client’s preexisting strengths and hopes.

I choose to focus on solution-focused and person-centered therapy because of my belief that the client is more powerful than they know, doing their best, and inherently worthy of love and respect. Solution-focused therapy emphasizes hope in session, and takes steps to remind the client of their own agency and capability. Person-centered therapy stresses the importance of unconditional positive regard.

I have experience working with a wide array of populations, relationship constellations, and presenting problems. I think of myself as a life-long learner, and my work as a therapist is no exception. I believe that I have something to learn from every client, and am willing to incorporate new theories or techniques into our work whenever applicable. To me, therapy is a deeply human experience. It requires clients to be vulnerable, and to show up as their full selves. That is a big ask! To honor your effort, I am committed to being authentic and honest in our work together.

On a Personal Note …

Like all of us, I am not immune to the stresses of life. I do my best to find balance in my day-to-day so that I can show up as the best version of myself in the therapy space. I absolutely love to walk, and you can often find me strolling around my neighborhood during my personal time. I also love to cook, paint, work on macrame projects, and (my guilty pleasure) keep up with reality TV programs. I do my best to nurture relationships with my friends and family, and love to visit coffee shops, new restaurants, and farmer’s markets. I understand that everything has a place in a balanced lifestyle, and I know that my work improves when I take care of my mind and body.