Allison Draayer MSW, LCSW

Parenting can feel like a job with no days off, especially when you're also working, caregiving or trying to keep a relationship afloat. I help parents untangle guilt, resentment and the pressure to do it all perfectly. We look at what's draining you, set boundaries that hold and make room for rest and connection. I bring 15+ years in community health, a systems view from my marriage and family therapy training and my own experience as a working mom of 3.

Burnout isn't weakness. It's what happens when you give more than you have for too long. You may feel exhausted, irritable, numb or like you've lost yourself. I help you name what's draining you, understand the parts of you that keep saying yes and build changes that fit your real life, like boundaries, realistic expectations and rest. My work is informed by CBT, EFT and IFS and I've seen burnout close up for 15+ years within my work.

Big transitions like a new baby, a career change or an empty nest can strain even strong relationships. Couples often feel like roommates, stuck in the same argument or too tired to connect. I help partners slow down, understand each other's stress and communicate in a way that feels safer and more productive. My post master's training in marriage and family therapy shapes how I work with couples. All couples are welcome.

Attachment theory helps us understand how closeness, stress and safety shape our relationships. With couples, I help you spot the cycle you get stuck in, like one partner pursuing while the other pulls away and understand the needs underneath it. Then we practice reaching for each other in ways that feel safer and clearer. With individuals, it can shed light on old patterns in how you connect. My work is informed by attachment theory.

IFS is based on the idea that we all have different parts. One part pushes you to keep going, another feels guilty and another is just exhausted. In our work, we get curious about these parts instead of fighting them and listen to what each one is protecting you from. That understanding often eases the inner tug of war and makes room for calmer choices. my work is informed by IFS, and we go at a pace that feels safe for you.

CBT helps us notice the thoughts that weigh us down, like "I should be doing more" or "I can't let them down". We look at how those thoughts shape your meed and choices, then practice new responses together. It's practical and goal focused. You'll leave session with small doable steps for stress, boundaries, and overwhelm, so change feels realistic instead of one more thing on your life. My work is informed by CBT, and I tailor it to your needs.