Meet Alison
Alison Zigler, MS, MS, CMPC, LMHCA, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate and Certified Mental Performance Consultant providing compassionate therapy for children, teens, and adults on the Centered Mind Counseling Services (CMCS) team. A former Division I athlete with dual graduate training in mental health counseling and performance psychology, Alison offers counseling for anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, trauma, grief, disordered eating, and performance-related concerns. She sees clients in person at our Sammamish, WA office and through secure telehealth across Washington State. Not sure if she is the right fit? Reach out and our team will help you find out.
Alison Zigler, MS, MS, CMPC, LMHCA — Child, Adolescent & Adult Therapist
Where Mental Health and Performance Meet
During my undergraduate experience, I competed in Division I cross country and track and field at the University of Northern Colorado. As a high-caliber athlete, my perfectionism and hard-working attitude were constantly rewarded. However, these attributes — in a world of comparisons, high demands, and seemingly no room for error — eventually led to high anxiety and significant swings in my performance and mental well-being.
After starting my own therapy, I developed a significant interest in mental health and began working in the athletic department under our sport psychologist. Through this experience, I noticed that my struggles were not unique, and many athletes around me dealt with mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or other trauma-related concerns. Devastatingly, during the spring of my senior year, at least five NCAA athletes died by suicide, which made my call to action in the world of mental health louder than ever.
After graduating with my undergraduate degrees, I began working towards my Master of Science in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In this program, I learned how to work with athletes and performers, providing them with various mental tools and skills to boost their performance. However, knowing I cared much more deeply about mental health and well-being than simply one’s performance, I began working simultaneously towards a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling.
As a mental health counseling intern, I further developed my passion for helping people beyond just the athlete population. I provided individual and group therapy to adults managing depression, anxiety, substance use, and trauma-related disorders. Additionally, I co-led a group for veterans focused on processing their experiences and handling daily life stressors. At the Counseling Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato, I provided individual counseling and skill-building workshops to undergraduate and graduate students, in addition to offering outreach services to reduce barriers to mental health support at the university.
How We’ll Work Together
Now working as both a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), I continue to support the psychological well-being of athletes, families, groups, and individuals of all ages. In my various roles, my approach has been both eclectic and strengths-based; I tailor my work with clients to meet their specific needs and highlight their unique strengths. I strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where clients can safely process their emotions and thoughts as we navigate life’s challenges together.
I primarily use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to enhance present moment focus and overall psychological well-being. I also utilize psychodynamic therapy to understand unconscious processes that may manifest in the client’s present behavior. Drawing on my background in mental health and performance, I provide clients with mental tools and skills, as well as space for emotional support and processing. My goal is for clients to enhance their ability to effectively cope with life’s worries and improve their confidence in achieving success.
What I Can Help With
I provide counseling and ongoing support for a wide range of mental health and performance-related concerns, including:
- Anxiety and perfectionism
- Depression and mood-related concerns
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- ADHD across the lifespan
- Bipolar Disorder
- Trauma-related concerns, grief, and loss
- Disordered eating behaviors and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
- Sports performance and performance-related concerns
- LGBTQIA+ affirming care
Who I Work With
- Children and teens (ages 7 to 17)
- Adults (ages 18 to 64)
- Older adults (ages 65 and older)
- Individuals, couples, families, and groups
- Athletes, performers, and students at every level
- Veterans and first responders
- LGBTQIA+ and allied communities
The Benefit of Having a Full Team Behind You
One of the things I value about working at Centered Mind Counseling Services is that integrated care is available to you if and when you need it. You might start with therapy alone, add psychiatric support later, or work with both at once. If your needs change and you want to add another layer of care, that option is already here. Our providers communicate directly with one another, so you never have to coordinate it yourself or repeat your story from scratch.
My performance psychology background adds something many therapists cannot: a lived, trained understanding of what it feels like when the drive that fuels achievement starts to work against you. Whether you are a student-athlete under pressure, a performer managing anxiety, or someone rebuilding your relationship with sport, food, or your own expectations, I bring both clinical care for the whole person and practical mental performance tools to our work together. When it helps, I coordinate with our psychiatric providers and counselors, so your care holds together as a whole.
Whether you are coming to me first or adding therapy to existing care, our team makes that process simple. Learn more about our counseling services or meet the full CMCS team I work alongside.
Now Accepting New Clients for Child, Teen & Adult Therapy in Sammamish and Across Washington State
I’m currently accepting new clients and provide counseling for children, teens, adults, and athletes. I see clients in person at our Sammamish office and through secure telehealth anywhere in Washington State, including Issaquah, Bellevue, Redmond, and Seattle, so you can meet in the way that works for your life.
If you are unsure whether therapy is the right next step, reach out to us — our team will help you figure out the best fit.
Background and Credentials
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Master of Science in Sport, Performance, and Exercise Psychology, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Northern Colorado
Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science, University of Northern Colorado
Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) License No. MHCA.MC.70101818
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate — Colorado License No. LPCC.0023855
Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), Association for Applied Sport Psychology, Certification No. 1579
Alison’s Washington State license can be verified through the Washington State Department of Health Provider Credential Search. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, Alison works under the supervision of Washington State-licensed counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor Anne Magnin Masin, MA, LMHC, License No. LH00011301.
On a Personal Note
I love to run, spend time outdoors, and travel. I have run two marathons in my post-collegiate career and am working toward qualifying for the Boston Marathon. My favorite outdoor activities are hiking, skiing, climbing, and camping. It is my mission to visit every continent and national park in the U.S. When I am not running or adventuring, I’m cuddling my emotional support cat, Tom, who looks exactly like Tom from Tom and Jerry.
Alison Zigler brings the rare combination of elite athletic experience and dual graduate training in mental health counseling and performance psychology to every session. As a therapist with Centered Mind Counseling Services (CMCS), she is honored to help children, teens, adults, and athletes find balance, resilience, and confidence.