Raised in the San Fernando Valley, Allison has long fostered a fascination with “life issues” and how understanding the human process can unravel and solve these difficulties. Though seemingly obscure and intangible, for Allison, the great appeal of psychotherapy lies in its approachability and concrete principles of human behavior.
Beginning her training at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Allison studied the science of societal functioning and began integrating her beliefs about the world with formal analyses and case studies. During the course of her attendance at UCSB, Allison became certified as a peer counselor, worked as a student tutor and student health services relationships peer and interned at the San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic, co-facilitating a play therapy group with young children. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree with honors, Allison went to work in the field of public relations, an excellent breeding ground for the observation of the human process under stress, helping her to develop a mental toolbox of coping mechanisms for life struggles. Two years later, Allison returned to school to pursue her Master’s degree in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University. There, Allison honed her proficiency in the principles of treatment, diagnosis, client care and psychological theory. While attending Pepperdine, Allison began practicing at Valley Counseling and the Pepperdine Community Counseling Center, both located in Encino, Los Angeles. After graduating with high honors, Allison remained at these clinics in order to fortify her knowledge and skill which allowed her to open her private psychotherapy practice in Tarzana, Los Angeles, months later.
Allison brings her passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for the profession to couples, individuals, families and young adults coping with partner relational distress, family of origin conflict, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, anger issues, lack of identity and the like. Allison employs tools and theories based on a combination of cognitive/behavioral, humanistic/existential, family systems and psychodynamic principles.
Allison offers day and evening couseling and psychotherapy appointments and welcomes client questions and feedback. She remains committed to the improvement of her therapeutic skills through continuing education, research and consultation.