Several years ago, I found myself burned out in a cycle of pain within my marriage. My husband and I had three beautiful children, and the idea of divorce felt unbearable. I kept asking myself, Would they be OK? Would I be OK?

For a long time, I believed things would get better. But after repeated conflicts that felt like “here we go again,” I began to shut down. It felt like the only way for the marriage to survive was for part of me to disappear.

In the end, the marriage did not survive. After four years of therapy that often left me feeling more alone than supported, we divorced. And still, we are all OK.

Everything changed for me in 2017 when I was introduced to Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). It was like finally having language for everything we had experienced. For the first time, it all made sense.

I became deeply committed to learning EFT, a process many compare to earning a second master’s degree. I often think that if my ex-husband and I had access to this kind of therapy, we may not have saved the marriage, but we would have experienced far less pain along the way.

About a year into that journey, I became a certified EFT couples therapist. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to offer this work to people in West Virginia.

In addition to couples work, I support individuals navigating:

Trauma

Anxiety and depression

Parenting challenges

Relationship issues

Experiences related to marginalized identities, especially people of color and LGBTQ+ communities

I also enjoy training other therapists in the EFT model.

I am licensed in both West Virginia and Louisiana. I earned my degree from Tulane School of Social Work and began my career in hospital-based outpatient therapy.

Over the years, my work has included time at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Highland Hospital in West Virginia, and leadership roles within the Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities.

After taking time to raise my three children, I returned to therapy in 2017, where I continue to do the work I care deeply about.

Outside of the office, I love to read, travel, and share a good laugh.

Together, Allyson and I bring over 45 years of combined experience to Crescent Counseling Group. We remain committed to ongoing learning so we can continue offering thoughtful, high-quality care.

I’ve been a counselor for over 24 years. My dad is also a counselor, so I grew up in a home where we talked about feelings a lot. That likely shaped my career, but it also led to a lifelong habit of overanalyzing and trying to control everything.

Not surprisingly, I developed a pretty significant anxiety disorder. For a long time, I tried to manage it through control, not always in the healthiest ways.

It wasn’t until life really challenged me, through experiences like divorce and pregnancy loss, that something shifted. I began to see that the more I tried to control everything, the less in control I actually felt.

Through my own therapy and life experiences, I’ve come to a place of understanding that things may fall apart again, and that’s part of being human.

A quote that has stayed with me comes from Pema Chödrön:

“We think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together, and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.”

Professionally, I have worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I earned my MA in Clinical Psychology in 1997 and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in West Virginia shortly after.

My passion is working with adults who have experienced trauma, and this has been a consistent focus throughout my career. I am certified in EMDR and use emotionally focused approaches including:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)

AEDP (Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy)

EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)

I believe the most effective therapy comes from connection. I practice from a relational, collaborative approach, trusting that my clients know themselves better than anyone and are capable of making the best decisions for their lives.

Outside of the office, I live in Charleston with my husband, son, and our two dachshunds, Fred and Ethel. I love to read, travel, garden, cook, and practice yoga.

At Crescent Counseling Group, we are committed to creating safety, easing suffering, and providing thoughtful, high-quality care.

I was born and raised just outside of Charleston. Like many in West Virginia, I moved away in 2005 to experience new places and people.

For the first 18 years of my career, I worked in corporate and nonprofit settings in administrative roles. My background includes event planning, marketing, fundraising, grant writing, graphic design, and communications.

In late 2014, I found myself in a broken marriage on the precipice of divorce. Facing terrible financial trouble and struggling with depression and crippling anxiety, I returned to Charleston with my then 9-month-old to be closer to my family. I was an exhausted, empty, shell of my former self. I was so consumed and injured by the fractures that occurred in my marriage that I truly didn’t know who I was anymore.

In a brave attempt to find myself, I started seeing a counselor. I spent almost four years in therapy. It was life-changing for me. So life-changing in fact that I decided to go back to school to become a counselor myself. I wanted to be able to use my experiences for something good. I wanted to be able to do for others what my counselor had done for me.

In processing my trauma, I learned how to set boundaries. I learned that my happiness did not have to be contingent on the happiness of those around me. I learned how trauma shapes our behaviors. And most importantly, I learned that vulnerability and empathy are not weaknesses; instead, they are tools for connection and healing.

I earned my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2021 and received my Trauma Certification (CTP) in 2022.

I work with teens and adults who are navigating:

Trauma and emotional or narcissistic abuse

Anxiety and depression

Self-esteem and codependency

Attachment-related challenges

I use experiential approaches including:

ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)

AEDP (Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy)

EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy)

I am also trained in Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) and have over six years of experience leading groups and supporting families with loved ones struggling with addiction.

Outside of the office, I enjoy music, reading, traveling, being outdoors, spooky season, and soccer. I live with my son, our cats Clover and Reese, and our dog Benny.

When I was in seventh grade, I already knew what I wanted to be. I told everyone I was going to become a psychiatrist. I was fascinated by psychology and how the human mind works.

Somewhere along the way, I lost that sense of direction.

I began to question my decisions, my identity, and my purpose. I found myself in relationships that were not right for me and surrounded by people who didn’t meet my needs. Over time, I felt like I had lost control of my life and didn’t recognize who I was anymore.

In my mid-twenties, something shifted.

I decided I was ready to take my life back. I began a journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. That journey led me back to the path I had chosen years before.

I earned my BA in Psychology from the University of Charleston and my MA in Mental Health Counseling from Marshall University. I also completed a Graduate Certificate (VOLT) in Advanced Studies in Violence, Loss, and Trauma Counseling.

Looking back, the detours were not wasted. They helped me build resilience, gain clarity, and develop a stronger sense of who I am.

Through my own healing process, I learned:

How to rebuild my sense of identity

How to set healthy boundaries

How to repair attachment wounds

That even when things are not okay, we can still find a way forward

That belief continues to guide the work I do today.

As a counselor, I have experience working with adolescents and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings, supporting individuals navigating:

Anxiety and depression

ADHD

Trauma and grief

Relationship and attachment issues

Domestic abuse and substance use

Personality-related challenges

I use approaches including:

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Experiential Therapy

Schema Therapy

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)

I have a special interest in helping adolescents and adults reconnect with their identity, break unhealthy patterns, heal attachment injuries, and build boundaries and confidence.

I also enjoy working with neurodivergent adults, particularly those navigating ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.

We do not have to stay stuck in the past. Change is possible, and I believe that deeply because I’ve lived it.

Outside of the office, I live with my son, my cats, and my boxer. I enjoy reading, traveling, spending time with friends and family, attending concerts, and being in nature.

When I look at the trajectory of my life, I believe I was always meant to do this work.

Growing up in poverty and as a minority in West Virginia, adversity was a constant part of my experience. I learned early on to suppress my emotions because they did not seem helpful or necessary for survival.

Even in the face of sexual assault, I did not fully recognize the impact it had on me. I moved through life in a kind of haze, disconnected from what I was feeling.

Eventually, those emotions began to surface.

Not knowing how to process them, I continued to suppress them, this time through unhealthy coping mechanisms like substances, food, and anything that helped numb the discomfort.

That path eventually led me to a point where I had to take a hard look at my life. If things were going to change, I had to face what I had been avoiding.

Through my own therapy, I began to process my trauma and pain. For the first time, I experienced what it felt like to both live and feel at the same time.

That experience changed everything for me.

It led me to pursue a career in counseling so I could offer others the same opportunity for healing and growth.

I earned my BA in Psychology from Marshall University, followed by a Master’s in Health Care Administration in 2018, and a Master of Social Work in 2020.

During my clinical training, I focused on trauma work and became trained in:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)

These evidence-based approaches support individuals in processing trauma, along with mood and substance use challenges.

I work with adults (18+) navigating:

Trauma and past experiences

Addiction and substance use

Mood-related concerns

Intrapersonal and interpersonal challenges

Outside of the office, I live in South Charleston with my son and our cat, Cornelius. I enjoy traveling, reading, crafting, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

I made my first cross-country move in second grade and went on to attend three different high schools in three different states. To say the least, my childhood involved a lot of change.

Because of that, I learned to adapt quickly and connect with people wherever I went. But behind that adaptability, there were many moments when I needed support myself. There were times when having a counselor or social worker would have made a meaningful difference in helping me process everything I was experiencing.

Those experiences shaped my decision to enter the helping profession.

While earning my undergraduate degree, I worked as a recovery care specialist at an inpatient treatment center for eating disorders in Toledo, Ohio.

In that role, I supported individuals navigating challenges related to body image, food, and their relationship with eating. I provided meal support and emotional care while working alongside therapists, dietitians, and nurses. During this time, I was introduced to intuitive eating and began to understand what it looks like to heal from toxic diet culture.

Some of the most meaningful moments of my career have been witnessing clients experience breakthroughs, whether that meant facing a fear around food or speaking kindly about their body for the first time. I was honored to support them through both the hardest and most hopeful parts of their journey.

I received my Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina with a mental health specialization.

During that time, I also worked at an animal shelter researching the human-animal bond and its impact on mental health. This experience deepened my understanding of connection, comfort, and emotional support in unexpected ways.

After graduating, I moved to West Virginia and began working within Appalachian communities. I quickly recognized the gaps in access to mental health care, along with the stigma and hesitation that can come with seeking support.

As someone who has sat in both the client chair and the therapist chair, I believe this deeply:

Seeking counseling is an act of self-compassion, and one of the bravest things a person can do.

I have experience working with individuals navigating:

Anxiety and depression

Trauma

Body image concerns and relationship with food

LGBTQ+ related experiences and identity support

I use an integrative approach that includes emotionally focused individual therapy, Accelerated Experiential-Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), and narrative therapy, along with Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) for trauma desensitization.

Outside of the office, I live with my partner and my very spoiled Maine Coon cat, Bukowski. I enjoy photography, reading, swimming, baking, and anything related to fall and Halloween.

II’m deeply passionate about helping people reconnect with their inner voice, better understand themselves, and move toward their full potential, especially while navigating the challenges of mental health.

I believe mental health does not define who we are, but it is a part of us that deserves care and attention, just like any other part of our lives.

My path into this work began with my own experiences.

At 13, I began struggling with anxiety, depression, and substance use. For years, I coped by self-medicating while searching for meaning and direction. Over time, that journey gave me clarity. I wanted to turn my pain into purpose by helping others navigate their own.

I earned my BSW from West Virginia University in 2011 and my MSW in 2013. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, including in-home family support, inpatient therapy at Highland Hospital, substance use treatment at St. Francis, and as a School Social Worker for seven years.

In 2024, I returned to direct clinical work and am grateful to be part of Crescent Counseling Group.

I support individuals who are navigating:

Anxiety disorders

Mild, moderate, and severe depression

PTSD and complex trauma (C-PTSD)

Perinatal and postpartum mental health

Support for mothers in all stages, including expecting mothers, postpartum mothers, moms of teens and young adults, and empty nesters

Women’s health concerns

Grief and loss

Substance use

Relationship challenges

Spiritual struggles

My approach is client-centered and grounded in building a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship. From there, I work collaboratively with each client to create a treatment plan that aligns with their goals.

My work is trauma-informed and integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), goal-oriented therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and EMDR therapy.

After the birth of my first child in 2020, I was hospitalized with postpartum psychosis when my son was just 10 days old. That experience was life-changing and deepened my commitment to supporting mothers through every stage of life and healing.

I have been living alcohol-free since November 2020 and enjoy supporting others who are exploring or redefining their relationship with alcohol and substances.

Outside of the office, I’m a wife and mom to two young children who are the center of my world. I’m also a born-and-raised West Virginia girl and a true Charlestonian.

I love outdoor country concerts, long backroad drives, golf, baseball and softball, and what I like to call my “elder millennial” hobbies like birdwatching, puzzles, and gardening.