Allyson Byers (she/her)

AMFT #135025
Accepting Clients

Specializing in grief and loss, chronic illness and pain, and trauma for teens and adults throughout California.

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in California
Supervised by Pamela Shaffer, LMFT

Services
  • Individual
  • Couples
  • Family
  • Adolescent/Teen

About My Clients

Are you experiencing grief and loss? Are you navigating health challenges? Have you experienced medical or relational/attachment trauma? I specialize in grief and loss, chronic illness/chronic pain, trauma, and depression. I enjoy working with clients who are experiencing a non-death loss (the ending of a platonic or romantic relationship, a new health diagnosis, infertility, etc.). I also love working with individuals who have Borderline Personality Disorder and complex trauma.

My Background and Approach

am an active therapist in the room, which means I like to provide psychoeducation when appropriate and gently challenge you to see things from a different perspective or dig deeper. I also frequently utilize humor because therapy doesn’t have to always be so serious. I also utilize a variety of treatment methods including Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Attachment Theory. I’m a Health At Every Size, and anti-diet clinician. I am also sex-positive and poly, ENM, LGBTQIA+, and kink-affirming. In addition, I understand how much cultural values and systemic oppression can greatly impact someone’s mental and physical health. I am committed to creating a non-judgmental space to support individuals with a culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed lens.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

As a queer therapist who has chronic illness, I draw from both my professional and lived experiences. I am passionate about rejecting diet culture, social justice, fat liberation, putting your health first, honoring all feelings, trauma-informed care, honoring non-death losses, and destigmatizing mental health. I chose to become a therapist after being in therapy myself and having a life-changing experience. I know what it's like to live with depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder. I have had suicidal thoughts in the past, so I am passionate about opening up the conversation about suicide and self-harm. I also know what it's like to be harmed by mental health and medical professionals. In addition to being a therapist, I am also a writer who has published a number of personal essays on living with mental illness. When I'm not working, I love hanging out with my rescue dog, checking out new restaurants in town, and spending time with family and friends.

Techniques I Use

Specialties
Attachment Theory Internal Family Systems Trauma Therapy
Other Techniques
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Attachment Theory
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Couples Counseling
  • Culturally Sensitive Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Eclectic Therapy
  • Existential Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Harm Reduction Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Relational Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems
  • Trauma Therapy

Issues I Treat

Specialties
Chronic Pain or Illness Grief or Loss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Other Issues
  • ADHD Therapists
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment
  • Body Image Issues
  • Cancer
  • Career Counseling
  • Chronic Pain or Illness
  • Codependency
  • Depression
  • Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence
  • Eating Disorders
  • Family Conflict
  • Gender Identity Therapy
  • Grief or Loss
  • LGBTQ-Friendly Therapists
  • Marriage Counseling
  • Personality Disorders
  • Physical Disability
  • Polyamorous and Open Relationships
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Self-Esteem
  • Self-Harm
  • Sexual Abuse or Assault
  • Sexual Problems
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Teen Issues
  • Women's Issues
I offer online counseling in the following states:

At A Glance

  • Experience: 5 years of practice
  • Languages: English
  • Rate: $100 - 150/session

Reach out to Allyson