Michael Allison

Many factors come into our lives that we did not plan for -- chronic pain, injuries, aging, and the natural decline of our bodies. How do we maximize our lives in spite of pain? How do we sustain our selves, our communication and our intimacy? How do we come to grips with the grief and reality of aging and even our mortality? How do we live our lives in spite of pain, sustain our sense of fun and play even while we act our age, and even, age gracefully? How do we communicate our expectations, desires, and fears to our families and partners? I am a licensed marriage and family therapist, gerontologist, and board-certified sex therapist (ABS). For over 12 years, I have worked with individuals and couples working to create more fulfilling relationships. I have specialized in grief, loss, and trauma and I am expanding that to support chronic pain and aging. I am an LGBTQ affirming provider and a member of the Utah LGBTQ Affirming Therapists Guild. I accept a broad insurance panel including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, SelectHealth, Regence, and TriWest (for veterans), and looking to expand into medicare.

My approach is personal, collaborative, and client centered -- which means we are working towards your goals, together. I believe insight is important to realizing true change and healing. There are times when becoming more mindful and present offers more choice and flexibility. As we age and change we have to listen to our bodies reasonably and we also have to sustain our mobility and activities to keep our bodies able to listen to us. We want to find balance, stay active, enjoy our lives and our sexuality. I am skilled and experienced in doing deep therapeutic work and combine that with, I believe, a rare mix of understanding loss and recovery, aging, sexuality, and acceptance.

In our first session, we'll talk about what brought you in, what you are facing right now. We'll explore what help you need today to find balance, reduce conflict, and find your path. I'll ask questions and listen carefully, and I'll share how I work. I believe the answers are within you which means there is no room for judgment, criticism or blame. We can work to develop the steps in your path going forward and also work to be able to communicate that with your loved ones -- which might include understanding their fears and expectations as well. I do not shy away from hard issues, even when it is time to talk about expectations, choices, and fears at the end of life.