Dr. Ally Grillo

Have you ever looked at your life and wondered how you got here, or whether the life you’re living truly feels like your own? Over time, it can be easy to drift away from what matters most or feel disconnected from a sense of meaning, purpose, and possibility. I’m a licensed clinical psychologist who works with adults navigating trauma/PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, relationship concerns and major life transitions. Therapy can be a space to reconnect with yourself, make room for difficult emotions, and begin moving toward a life that feels more authentic and fulfilling.

My goal is to create a space where you feel understood, can explore difficult experiences openly, and develop greater trust in yourself. Together, we can better understand the patterns that may be holding you back while building practical tools to help you cope, communicate, and move toward the life and relationships you want.

I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and have worked in major hospitals, VA medical centers, and outpatient mental health clinics. My background includes individual and couples therapy and psychological assessment. I also conduct research on stress, trauma, and depression, including how experiences of chronic and traumatic stress affect our body's response to stress. This work shapes how I approach therapy, helping me understand the many ways stress can affect how we think, feel, and relate to others.

As a queer therapist, I welcome clients of all identities and backgrounds and strive to offer a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment where you can bring your full self to therapy.

My approach is collaborative, relational, and grounded in evidence-based care. I want therapy to feel warm and human while also helping you create meaningful change outside of our sessions. Together, we will explore how your experiences, relationships, emotions, and beliefs have shaped the patterns you find yourself in today.

You do not need to begin therapy knowing exactly where you want to go or how you want to grow. Part of our work may involve exploring what matters most to you, clarifying the values you want your life and relationships to reflect, and identifying meaningful steps in that direction.

I draw from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, tailoring treatment to your needs and goals. When working with survivors of trauma, I use evidence-based, trauma-focused approaches to support healing and recovery. In couples therapy, I draw from Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy to help partners better understand recurring conflicts, communicate with greater openness and vulnerability, and respond to one another with more empathy.

I will offer validation and support while also gently challenging patterns that may no longer be serving you. Therapy will be shaped around who you are, what matters to you, and the life you want to build rather than following a one-size-fits-all formula.

Our first session will focus on getting to know you, understanding what brought you to therapy, and beginning to identify what you would like to be different. I may ask about your current concerns, important relationships, personal history, strengths, and previous experiences with therapy. You will also have space to ask questions and share what helps you feel comfortable when working with a therapist.

You do not need to arrive with a perfectly organized story or a clear set of goals. We can sort through things together at a pace that feels manageable. By the end of the session, I hope you will have a clearer sense of how we might work together and whether I feel like the right fit for you.