Allison Oaks

Allison Oaks, MS, LPC is a seasoned behavioral therapist with more than 15 years of clinical experience specializing in eating disorders, trauma recovery, and mood disorders. She is known for her integrative, compassionate approach that blends evidence‐based psychotherapy with a deep understanding of the mind–body connection.

Allison has extensive expertise in treating anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and emotional eating, helping clients rebuild trust with their bodies and develop sustainable, intuitive relationships with food. As a trauma‐informed clinician trained in EMDR, she supports clients in processing painful experiences, reducing distress, and reclaiming a sense of safety and empowerment. Her work with mood disorders—including depression, anxiety, and related conditions—emphasizes skill‐building, emotional regulation, and long‐term resilience.

Across all areas of practice, Allison is committed to creating a therapeutic environment that is collaborative, non‐judgmental, and grounded in respect for each client’s lived experience. Her approach centers on empowerment, holistic healing, and meaningful, lasting change.

My approach to therapy is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and evidence‐based care. I believe healing happens when clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to explore their experiences at a pace that feels safe. With more than 15 years of clinical practice, I integrate multiple therapeutic modalities to meet each client’s unique needs.

I take a holistic, person‐centered approach, recognizing the connection between emotional, physical, and relational wellbeing. Whether working with eating disorders, trauma, or mood disorders, I focus on helping clients build insight, strengthen coping skills, and develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves.

As a trauma‐informed clinician trained in EMDR, I help clients process and resolve distressing experiences that may be impacting their current functioning. My work with eating disorders and emotional eating emphasizes restoring trust in the body, reducing shame, and supporting clients in developing flexible, intuitive patterns of nourishment. For mood disorders, I incorporate cognitive‐behavioral and dialectical behavior strategies to support emotional regulation, stability, and resilience.

Above all, I strive to create a therapeutic environment that is non‐judgmental, collaborative, and deeply respectful of each client’s lived experience. My goal is to help clients feel safe, seen, and supported as they move toward meaningful, lasting change.

Your first session is designed to help you feel comfortable, understood, and supported from the very beginning. We’ll move at a pace that feels safe for you, focusing on building a foundation for meaningful therapeutic work.

1. A Warm Welcome and Orientation We start by talking about what brings you in, what you’re hoping to work on, and any questions you have about therapy. I’ll explain my approach, what sessions typically look like, and how we’ll collaborate together.

2. Getting to Know Your Story You’ll have space to share as much—or as little—as you feel ready to. We’ll explore your history, current concerns, and the patterns you’ve noticed in your emotions, behaviors, or relationships. This helps me understand your experiences within the context of eating disorders, trauma, or mood-related symptoms if those are part of your journey.

3. Assessing Needs and Establishing Goals Together, we’ll identify your priorities and begin shaping initial goals. These can be concrete (“reduce binge‐restrict cycles,” “improve sleep,” “feel less overwhelmed”) or exploratory (“understand my triggers,” “heal from past trauma,” “build a healthier relationship with food”).

4. Creating a Safe, Collaborative Space I emphasize safety, consent, and pacing—especially when trauma or eating disorder work is involved. You’re in control of what we discuss. If EMDR or other modalities may be helpful, I’ll explain them clearly so you know what to expect before we ever begin.

5. Immediate Support and Next Steps Before the session ends, we’ll talk about what feels most supportive moving forward. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of direction, a plan for future sessions, and often a few grounding or coping strategies to use between appointments.