Allison White, MA in Somatic Psychology, LMFT
My therapeutic style is non-judgmental, humanistic, and relational. Interwoven are a combination of psychodynamic, attachment, and somatic approaches. I utilize information from neuroscience, nature, expressive arts, ancient wisdom, movement/ dance, and Jungian thought to deepen my understanding of the body-mind connection. I have found that somatic approaches to psychotherapy create sustainable, lasting, and positive change.
It is important for you to feel safe and comfortable in our work together. Once we establish safety and trust, we can work together to create a plan that helps you reach the goals you desire. Whether it is unpacking unhealthy relationship dynamics, working through trauma, or working towards self-growth, I am here to help you find resilience and strength to move forward in your life.
I received a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology, with a concentration in Somatic Psychology, from California Institute of Integral Studies. I was given an amazing opportunity to train at the Center for Somatic Psychotherapy in San Francisco. With over 3000 hours of clinical training and 300 hours of clinical supervision, I received my license in both California and Colorado. I have worked in community mental health settings involving crisis and severe trauma with marginalized youth, as well as private practice settings. My work with others typically involves anxiety, grief & loss, life transitions, chronic pain/illness, relationships, trauma, mental illness in the family system, and caregivers. I have been in practice since 2013.
My journey to becoming a somatic therapist is birthed from my life. I was a child of divorce who experienced first hand the impact of living with mental illness and addiction in the family. Art, dance, and music provided outlets for me to express emotions that felt unsafe to express otherwise. This led me to completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from San Francisco Art Institute in 2004. About a year after graduation, I was diagnosed with cancer.
Cancer provided an opportunity to deepen the practice of non-judgmental compassion towards others, and myself. During my own healing process, I benefited from alternative and holistic processes. Nature was also a resource for me to deepen my connection with my body. Body-centered modalities helped me develop a greater understanding and awareness of my whole self, which provided the foundation for my journey into somatic psychology.
As a body-centered (Somatic) & EMDR therapist , I strive to help you utilize resources such as breathing techniques, grounding, mindfulness, sensory awareness, tracking, creative visualization, movement, sound, and/ or expressive arts to help you reach your goals. I am happy to walk along your journey to healing and empowerment.
Education:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, San Francisco Art Institute, 2004
- Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology, concentration in Somatic Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies, 2014
Training:
- 2019: Somatic Experiencing; Dr. Peter Levine, California Institute of Integral Studies
- 2019: Somatic EMDR Tools for Trauma Treatment; Barb Maiberger and Dr. Arielle Schwartz
- 2018: Level 2 Basic Training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing); Basic Principles, with Dr. Elizabeth Legg
- 2017: Level 1 Basic Training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing); Basic Principles, with Dr. Steve Dansiger
- 2017: Polyvagal Theory with Stephen Porges; Basic Principles, Experiential Learning, & Clinical Applications with Dr. Stephen Porges
- 2015-2017: Psyched in San Francisco, MFT Intern, Supervised by Traci Ruble, MFT 51082
- 2016: Seeing with the Body, Stefana Serafina of Embodied Way Project, Oakland, CA
- 2016: Melting the Shame Freeze: Somatic Techniques to Create Safety and Build Attachment, Bret Lyon, PhD and Sheila Rubin MFT
- 2015-2016: St. Vincent School For Boys, Therapist, Catholic Charities of San Francisco
- 2016: Creating a Context for Effective Care: Trauma Informed Care, Social Justice and Healing, Seneca
- 2016: Understanding and Addressing Multigenerational Trauma among African American Families involved in Systems of Care, Seneca
- 2016: Stephen Porges, Ph.D- Polyvagal Theory: Understanding the Neural Connection that Mediate Social Behavior, Emotional Regulation & Health
- 2016: Integrating Shamanic Techniques into Psychotherapy, Jan Edl Stein, Holos Institute
- 2016: Transformation and Facilitated Drumming, Susan Baron PsyD, The Jung Institute of San Francisco
- 2015: Somatic Ecotherapy retreat, Ariana Candell, LMFT, R-DMT
- 2015: Lincoln Child Center, Intensive School -Based Counseling Enriched Therapist
- 2014: Private Practice Internship, Michael Griffith, MFT
- 2014: Indwelling: Our Human Participation in the Dream of the Earth, Barbara Holifield MFT, The Jung Institute of San Francisco
- 2013: Gestalt Body Process: An Introduction for Therapists, Jim Kepner, MFT
- 2013-2015: Center For Somatic Psychotherapy, MFT Trainee/ Intern, San Francisco
- 2012: Neuroscience for Clinical Practice with Dr. Alan Fogel & Francine Lapides, MFT