Alyson approaches therapy in a highly collaborative manner and takes a role as a partner in your healing journey. She uses empathy, authenticity, and a non-judgemental approach to connect with clients in a person-centered way. Alyson believes in whole person wellness and draws from work with “woo woo” or somatic based modalities. Using a bottom up, body intuitive therapeutic approach, Alyson will work with you to achieve your therapy goals and heal past hurts, traumas, and grief. Alyson also enjoys using laughter as a tool in therapy, and shows up as a warm, compassionate, and direct therapist. She will work with you to achieve your goals for the life you want to live and challenge you to view things from new perspectives. Alyson strongly believes that therapy is not a one size fits all experience and therefore uses techniques from multiple modalities, including: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment focused, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), strengths based, and EMDR (by an EMDRIA approved trainer).

You may enjoy working with Alyson if…..

• You’ve been newly diagnosed with a chronic illness or have been living with a chronic illness for a while and are looking to navigate life as a “spoonie.”
• You experience really big emotions and struggle to maintain relationships because of this.
• You’ve experienced the death of a loved one, friend, family member, or experienced a non-death loss.
• You’re looking to heal from a traumatic experience which is impacting your present day life.
• You’ve experienced existing with an “othered” identity and want support to navigate life as part of a marginalized community.

Alyson earned her Bachelors of Science in Social Work from Nazareth University in Rochester, NY and her Masters of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Alyson has been a practicing social worker since 2012 and began her career working in case management for people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses, while also providing psychotherapy part-time. After the COVID-19 pandemic began and the need for therapy increased, Alyson transitioned to providing psychotherapy full-time and joined the Garnering Change Psychotherapy team in 2021. Alyson has done extensive additional training in trauma modalities and specializes in trauma treatment, grief and loss support, and working with those living with chronic illnesses and dysautonomia. Alyson has received the following advanced training: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy level 1, IFS informed practice, and EMDR. Alyson is also currently pursuing EMDR certification with an EMDRIA approved consultant.