Ally values working with individuals using a person-centered, individualized and nonjudgmental approach to mental health care. She is passionate about mental health care and utilizes a mind-body approach to wellness, regularly acknowledging the role our nervous system holds and how it impacts our emotional health. Ally combines curiosity and compassion to build a supportive environment towards emotional growth and wellbeing. She encourages individuals to find empowerment in their own needs, values, and identity. Ally strives to create a warm environment to be present with the experiences of both the joy and uncomfortable and painful things in life.

Ally has experience working with stress management, substance use, anxiety, depression, family of origin challenges, life transitions, relationships, identity development, young adulthood, and co-occurring disorders. Ally draws on strategies from an attachment-based lens, valuing the ways early-life relationships and experiences shape our view of ourselves, others, and the world around us. In addition, she draws on the following treatment modalities, but not limited to, Polyvagal Theory, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Attachment Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

Ally graduated with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bethel University. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and is currently under supervision while working toward Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) licensure. She has experience working in inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder programs and working on a college campus setting.

Let’s talk about something that’s been a bit of a heavy topic for way too long—therapy. I know, I know, there’s this old, stubborn stigma that makes it feel like reaching out for help with our mental health is something to be ashamed of. But honestly, that’s such a shame because we humans? We’re wired for connection. We need each other, like, deep in our bones, to get through life’s ups and downs.

Still, somehow, society has convinced so many of us that we should go it alone. Like, if we just hide our struggles—our pain, our messy emotions, all the stuff that keeps us from feeling truly happy—we’re being strong. But let’s be real: that’s not strength. That’s just pretending, and it doesn’t make the hard stuff disappear. We’re human, not superheroes! Having emotions isn’t a flaw—it’s what makes us, us.

Here’s the thing: when we shove our feelings down, they don’t just vanish. They build up, like toxic gunk, and over time, that can really mess with our wellbeing—and even spill over onto the people we love. But talking to a therapist? It’s like opening a window to let all that heavy stuff out so it doesn’t drag us down. Therapy gives us a safe space to dig into the messy parts of ourselves, to figure out what’s really going on inside. Sometimes, we even uncover old hurts we didn’t realize were dimming our light—and that’s when the healing starts.

There’s nothing wrong with having emotions, and there’s definitely nothing wrong with asking for help to navigate them. Honestly, it takes a lot of guts to say, “I need support,” and I think that’s something pretty amazing. So, let’s ditch the shame and embrace the fact that we’re all in this together, okay?