I know what it’s like to feel unseen, unheard, and dismissed. I know what it’s like to not bother speaking up for yourself because you don’t expect anyone to listen. I know what it’s like to choose the path of least resistance, to be easy and cooperative and agreeable, and to feel like something has blown up in your face when you do speak up for yourself and someone gets mad and calls you selfish, dramatic, or too sensitive.

When it comes to complex trauma, your childhood may or may not have been traumatic in the typical sense. You may have had all of your needs provided for and had an overall stable and even seemingly happy home, but something inside of you always felt a little off. Maybe you felt sad for no reason a lot, or you were the “easy” kid who got good grades and was eager to help others. You struggle now when asked what you need because you don’t really feel like you need anything - you just know you often feel overwhelmed, tired, irritable, generally carrying the weight of the world. You may have everything you’ve ever wanted, but you struggle to enjoy it. It’s probably taken you a lot to even get to this point of reaching out to a therapist, because you have always been so good at pushing through and taking care of yourself. In fact, you’ve probably struggled to seek therapy because you’re not even sure what to say is the problem.

You’re really good at being strong and resilient. You pride yourself on it and you never want to lose that part of yourself, but you’re also drowning. You want to feel happy and whole, but a lot of people count on you and so you really can’t make major changes. You want a therapist that gets you, that meets you where you are, helps you see gaps that you may be missing that help improve your life, but overall just gives you support to keep going. Helps you feel like a person whose needs matter. Gives you the gift of a space every week where you can just be, no agenda or performing needed.

If you meet some or all of these characteristics, I can’t say enough to encourage you that you are doing the right thing by taking this step. It’s so hard to be vulnerable in this way, and especially to continue showing up for yourself week after week once you’ve started therapy. I value creating a really safe environment for all of my over-achieving, over-functioning clients who have rarely or never had a space like this just for them. I will help you understand that seemingly small thing that keeps showing up and keeps triggering the same feelings over and over, no matter how much you can logically tell yourself it’s fine or not a big deal. I will help you understand yourself, understand why certain things bother you perhaps more than others, and work to help you cultivate the peace, joy, and self-love that you deserve.

No matter your age, race, gender, orientation, socioeconomic status, or background, you are welcome here. I love seeing clients through multiple life changes and seasons and seeing the growth that builds through each one. I love being able to look back at where you started and where you are now. You are capable of so much and deserve so much, and it’s such an honor for me to be part of this with you.

-Alison