Allison Freeman (she/her)

In ACT, clients can expect an experiential and mindful approach to therapy, encouraging them to accept their thoughts and feelings, while also committing to actions aligned with their values. I guide clients in developing greater psychological flexibility by helping them to observe and detach from unhelpful thoughts and emotions. Clients will learn to live more in the present, clarify their values, and take committed action to enhance their well-being and moving towards a more fulfilling life.

This approach provides clients with an inclusive and respectful space where their unique cultural backgrounds and perspectives are honored and integrated into the therapeutic process. I engage with my clients in open dialogue to understand their cultural context and its impact on their experiences and challenges. Together, we collaboratively explore how cultural factors influence their narratives, fostering a deeper understanding while supporting my client's identity and values.

In narrative therapy, clients will experience a collaborative and empowering environment working closely with me as I facilitate the reshaping and reconstruction of their personal narratives. My role involves guiding my clients in exploring the stories they hold about their lives, relationships, and challenges to help clients gain new insights, discover alternative perspectives, and develop a deeper understanding of their own experiences. This ultimately fosters positive change and growth.

Through this approach, we will engage in open dialogue so that I can truly understand my client's cultural context and the impact it has on their experiences and challenges. Together, we will collaboratively explore how cultural factors influence their narratives, fostering a deeper understanding and addressing cultural issues in a way that is respectful and supportive of their identities and values.

People with ADHD often possess tremendous creativity and intelligence. Adopting a treatment approach that emphasizes neurodiverse strengths/abilities can help ADHDers reach more fulfilling outcomes in therapy. Neurodiversity-affirming therapy can be particularly advantageous for those who have already explored traditional psychotherapy but found it lacking, unaffirming, or did not experience any noticeable benefits.

Extreme mental and psychical exhaustion makes it much more difficult to manage our emotions. This can lead to meltdowns or intense anxiety and can also result in an increase in reduced tolerance for sensory sensitivities. I help clients get out of burnout by supporting them: Attend to sensory needs, spending time unmasked, ensuring accommodations are in place, practicing good boundaries in relationships, and engaging in activities that feed them

I strive to understand and validate the unique experiences of my clients with anxiety. We collaboratively explore coping mechanisms tailored to their strengths, identifying their triggers and developing strategies that align with their individual needs. Our sessions prioritize understanding, acceptance, and the cultivation of resilience, incorporating techniques such as mindfulness for ADHD/AuDHDers, cognitive defusion, thought-shifting, and more.

Another term for this therapy more accurately naming what I practice in most sessions is Coherence Therapy. Coherence Therapy is a newer term for what was once called Depth-Oriented Brief Therapy. This approach is a 'bottom up' way of processing and healing CPTSD and old inner-child wounds that are so commonly seen in highly-sensitive people. Often, wounds that have stuck with us in some way since childhood randomly present themselves in adulthood, causing frustrating effects in need of healing.

Experiential therapy is a body-based approach to healing and growth in counseling. Rather than just talking about issues, I integrate experiential processing into our work to help my clients gain deeper insight in an impactful way. This may involve senses or physical sensations tied to past memories.