I’m So Glad You’re Here

Dr Allison Meins California Anxiety Psychologist Sitting with Therapist

Meet Dr. Allison Meins

“People are just as wonderful as sunsets if you let them be. When I look at a sunset, I don’t find myself saying, “Soften the orange a bit on the right hand corner.” I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch with awe as it unfolds.”

— Carl R. Rogers, A Way of Being

Hi, my name is Allison Meins, often referred to as Dr. Allie. (My last name is pronounced like “mines”.) I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a virtual private practice in Roseville, CA. The benefits of a virtual practice are that I can work with you so long as you are located within the California state border.

I’m a first generation college-graduate with a down to earth approach to connecting with others. I attended the University of California, Santa Barbara for my undergraduate degree (Go Gauchos!) and then obtained my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, at Alliant International University in San Francisco. My graduate studies provided a strong theoretical and experiential foundation for my clinical work today. My research focus in my graduate studies was on human stories of managing interpersonal conflict, particularly in intercultural relationships. I have worked with children and families in schools and in short-term residential settings, in addition to working with young adults in college towns, and adults of a broad range of ages in community mental health centers.

I’m passionate about witnessing and supporting others as they wrestle with life’s tough questions. I will walk beside you as you navigate life’s ups and downs, meeting you where you’re at, and encouraging you to get to where you’re going.

At the end of the day, I’m a fellow traveling human who can be real with you about life’s many uncertainties and beauties. I thrive when I’m able to be outside in nature. I enjoy spending time with my loved ones while hiking or skiing in the mountains, breathing in the salty-air of the ocean, catching a beautiful sunrise or sunset, and searching for wildflowers that bring pops of color to the changing seasons.

Music is a big part of my life - whether listening to music at home, in the car, or attending live events, I’m known to have a tune in my head and even reference song lyrics in the therapeutic space. Don’t be surprised if I recommend listening to a song or two as part of your treatment!

Finally, where would I be without books? Story-telling is such a large part of human connection. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and I often reference stories read or therapeutic books you might want to explore in our sessions.

“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”

- Brene Brown

“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”

— Carl Gustav Jung

For those of you that want to know about the technicalities of my therapeutic approach: I use a combination of skills-based work and depth work in therapy. In your sessions, we will take a here-and-now based approach with concrete skill-building from therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and we will explore the depths of who you are with Humanistic and Psychodynamic modalities.

What that means is that we will explore and identify the patterns in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors which are both working well and the ones that aren’t working so well for you. You will learn useful tools for managing and expressing your emotions, skills for improving your communication and relationships with others, uncover how you speak to yourself on a daily basis, and explore ways to improve your ability to be compassionate toward yourself. Through the therapeutic connection we build, you will (re)discover your values and interests, learn to practice self-acceptance, and identify what your needs are and how to meet them. Together, we will create goals for how to address your patterns and apply tools you need to feel prepared to live a life of meaning.

If you’re feeling ready to delve into your story and make sense of all the moving pieces out loud, contact me and I’ll join you on this journey. I look forward to meeting you!