My Professional Experience
Hello, I'm Alison
I am one of a few providers trained in treating people with hair pulling disorder (trichotillomania) and skin picking disorder (excoriation disorder). This is a very challenging and persistent disorder to live with. As soon as I obtained my professional social work license I attended training through The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive behaviors: "Learn More"
Specializing in this disorder also led me to receiving additional training in working with individuals with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). If you have or know someone with this disorder you know how disruptive this can be to a person living their life to their fullest potential. Treatment can often feel incredibly anxiety provoking and frustrating but I will work with you to specialize techniques to your needs and support you in the process.
My work in these areas led me to train in an exceptional therapeutic approach called ISTDP (Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy). This is a very goal oriented therapy with a strong focus on helping you challenge inner blocks and defenses that get in the way of your recovery. The techniques I use might feel challenging at times, but I will always try to make it clear that I join you against destructive tendencies within yourself and am on your side in your journey towards being your true self. I also utilize feedback-informed treatment to work to bring awareness to any areas we are not making progress in so we can change approaches as needed.
I have long been interested in and comforted by our natural environment. While I was always aware of environmental pollution, it has been in the past decade I have seen our climate changing from predictable long winters and clean bright air in the summer, to shortened winters (which many people like) and our skies filled with smoke from forest fires. This has led me to receiving additional training in ecotherapy and becoming a Climate Aware Therapist. I am also the Regional Coordinator for Upstate NY for the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. You can learn more about this organization here: "Learn More"
I have worked in the social work/human services field for over twenty years. Even longer if I were to include the many hours I spent as a teenager on the phone with my friends giving and receiving advice through the ups and downs of life.
My first professional position after college was at a local women’s prison where I assisted with peer-led educational and supportive programs related to public health. After that I provided emotionally supportive services at an inpatient health setting, then in the community at an outpatient clinic. I have experience working with all ages, I have very young clients who I see with parents and have worked with every age in between including some individuals over the age of 100.
