About Allyson
Allyson Coats is a licensed professional clinical counselor with seven years of experience in California. She focuses on helping people who feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck find practical ways forward. Her approach is warm and down-to-earth, aimed at making small changes that add up over time.
She uses client-centered techniques to build trust and understand each person's needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is part of her work when people want to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns.
Background and approach
Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used to teach emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Mindfulness practices and motivational interviewing are woven into sessions to help clients notice what matters and find their own reasons to change. Sessions can include simple creative tools like journaling or music when that fits a person's way of expressing themselves.
The emphasis is on practical skills that can be used between sessions. Allyson helps with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, sleep problems, relationship and family concerns, grief, parenting strain, anger, career questions, bipolar challenges, ADHD, and coping with life changes.
She also addresses issues tied to aging, body image, chronic pain or illness, and first responder or veteran-related stress. People who appreciate a collaborative, straightforward style will find Allyson approachable. She works with each person to set realistic goals and build skills for everyday life.
The focus is on steady progress and practical coping strategies.
Approaches that translate well to online therapy
Allyson commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and client-centered work in online sessions. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which translates well to structured video or phone sessions with worksheets and between-session practice. DBT teaches skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness; these skills can be practiced and coached in real time during calls or chat. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and collaboration so the person feels heard and understood, whether talking by video, phone, or text.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Allyson will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and daily routine, then recommend methods that fit. She adapts techniques and pacing to suit how someone prefers to communicate and what helps them make steady progress.
Online formats offer flexibility for busy lives. Video calls let therapists and clients use visual cues and screen-shared worksheets. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for people who prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for short check-ins, homework support, or when someone needs a brief moment of connection between scheduled sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or other commitments while still focusing on practical skill building.
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What this therapist works with
Also listed
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Attachment issues
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Bipolar disorder
- Body image
- Career difficulties
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family conflicts
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- LGBT
- Life purpose
- Money and financial issues
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Relationship issues
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Sleeping disorders
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 7 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English
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