Allison is a Licensed Social Worker in the process of obtaining her LCSW. She graduated with a BSW from Illinois State University in which her internship involved creating and providing Anti-Racism trainings for faculty, staff, and students in Normal, IL. Allison obtained her MSW from Aurora University with a focus on clinical social work. Allison also greatly enjoys working with children, utilizing child-centered play therapy and sand tray in treatment. Allison has experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Additionally, Allison has experience working with adolescents and young adults through life changes, finding their identity, and establishing healthy relationships. Allison considers herself to be a roots-based social worker, who strives to see and understand the causation behind symptom presentation and behavioral issues. Allison has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and their families to address mental health issues impacting the family system. Allison is developing specialties in areas related to child development, behavioral issues, Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/loss, self-expression/life transitions, LGBTQIA+ identity formation, and healthy relationship building. Allison believes that individuals are the experts of their lived experiences, which is essential for inclusivity in therapeutic partnerships. Allison seeks to empower clients to build the best version of themselves with psychodynamic and recovery-based philosophies informing her clinical work. Allison believes the therapeutic relationship relies on trust, vulnerability, acceptance, accountability, and collaboration. Allison utilizes a client-centered or Rogerian approach to therapy, especially when working with children. Her work involves play therapy interventions along with sand play therapy. Additionally, Allison uses Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Mindfulness, and CBT with her clients. Allison is currently undergoing the certification process of Neuro Emotional Technique (NET). NET is a mind-body approach designed to understand and address stress or trauma stored in the body.