Alison Christiansen, LCSW

I view therapy as an invitation to delve deeper into your current concerns, personal history, conditioning and defenses in order to reconnect with your true self and experience growth and wellness in your life. Therapy is a unique experience for every person, with the potential to be transformational.

I earned my Master’s Degree in Social work from Boston College in 2013 and have worked in inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings. I'm licensed in New York, California and Massachusetts. As a certified Kripalu yoga instructor since 2012, with specialized training in advanced therapeutic yoga, I weave mindfulness and somatic-based techniques into clinical work. Additionally, I am a certified level 2 AEDP therapist (more detail on this approach below).

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My Approach

I view therapy as a collaboration. I believe you bring your own unique set of strengths to the table and together we’ll explore which modalities best suit you and your current goals and concerns. I will meet you where you’re at in your process with compassion and respect, and offer a safe space to explore concerns openly and honestly.

I am Level 2 Certified in Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), an attachment-based approach to therapy designed to heal emotional pain, trauma and relational concerns. AEDP emphasizes using the present moment and connection between therapist and client as vehicles for fostering self-growth, resilience, and transformation.

As a an Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga, I know first hand that any growth or healing process is most effective when we include the body. I integrate a somatic approach in my sessions, and am consistently in awe of how tuning into physical sensations can bring about significant insights.

I also have training and experience in the following modalities:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCBT)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Emotional Freedom Technique/Tapping

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • Self-compassion Therapy

  • Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)

  • Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Buddhist Psychology

  • Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga/500 hr Kripalu Yoga Instructor

  • Certified Grief Movement Practitioner