Alison Moats

Hi! I’m Alison, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in VA. My education background includes a Master of Social Service degree (equivalent to a master’s degree in social work) from Bryn Mawr College of Social Work and Social Research in PA. I have been working in the mental health and substance abuse field since 2003, working with a wide variety of ages from elementary school through 80+ years of age. Areas with which I have particular experience are mood disorders, anxiety, addiction/substance abuse, and personality disorders.

I am a firm believer that everyone, at some point in life, can benefit from therapy. I operate from a person-centered, psychodynamic perspective, believing that clients are the experts on their own situation and what they would like to see change. Sometimes a safe, non-judgmental space helps us untangle our thoughts and make more sense of our circumstances and options. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an approach I often utilize, as well as a heavy focus on coping skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to help manage difficult emotions and associated physical sensations.

My goal is to provide a safe space for clients to express themselves openly, and then to explore how they would like to grow. My hope is that with each session, clients are able to take away some skill or strategy to either begin practicing or to continue utilizing to help them manage their symptoms and circumstances more effectively.