Allyson Stephens, MSW, LCSW

I believe therapy should be a space where you feel genuinely understood, supported, and comfortable showing up exactly as you are. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and rooted in the understanding that healing isn't always a straightforward process. You don't have to have everything figured out before starting therapy, and you don't have to know exactly what to say. We'll work together to better understand your experiences, recognize patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and create meaningful changes at a pace that feels right for you.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with experience helping adults navigate trauma, anxiety, ADHD, emotional dysregulation, relationship challenges, and difficult life transitions. I specialize in working with individuals who may feel overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, or frustrated by patterns they understand intellectually but struggle to change emotionally. I recognize that our past experiences, relationships, and nervous systems all influence how we respond to the world around us.

My therapeutic approach is integrative, meaning I tailor our work to your individual needs rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all method. I incorporate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), parts-informed work, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Depending on your goals, we may explore how past experiences continue to shape your present, develop practical strategies for managing everyday challenges, or work toward deeper emotional healing.

I also believe therapy is about more than learning coping skills or changing thoughts. It's about developing a more compassionate relationship with yourself, understanding why certain responses developed, and recognizing that the parts of you that feel anxious, critical, avoidant, or overwhelmed often have understandable reasons for showing up.

Above all, I strive to create a therapeutic relationship that feels authentic, nonjudgmental, and collaborative. You can expect a balance of curiosity, gentle challenges, practical tools, and space to process at your own pace. My goal isn't to change who you are, but to help you feel more connected to yourself, more confident navigating life's challenges, and less controlled by patterns that no longer serve you.

• Master's in Social Work, Southern Illinois University- Carbondale

• Adults

• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Childhood Trauma
• Depression
• Divorce
• EMDR
• Family Systems
• Grief and Loss
• Healthy Coping Strategies
• Identity/Body Image Issues
• Infant/Child Loss
• Life Changes
• Life Transitions
• Maternal Mental Health
• Miscarriage
• Mood Disorders
• Neurodivergence/Neurodiversity
• OCD
• PTSD
• Parenting Support
• Postpartum Depression
• Pregnancy Issues
• Relationship Issues
• Self-Esteem
• Sexual Trauma
• Trauma
• Trauma/PTSD
• Women’s Issues
• Young Adults

• Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
• Attachment Trauma and Relational Trauma
• Adult ADHD and Executive Functioning
• People-Pleasing and Boundary Difficulties
• Perfectionism and Overthinking

• Aetna
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield
• Cigna
• Self-Pay
• United Healthcare/Optum

• Male
• Female
• Cisgender
• White
• Black and African American
• Hispanic and Latino
• Asian
• Native American
• Pacific Islander