Hi! I’m Katy Allen, LICSW.

Before we get to all of the training and credentials, I want to share a couple of things:

First, I come to this work as a full human who has also struggled managing stress, anxiety, and other challenges. I've used and continue to use many of the approaches I've been trained in as a client myself and it's made an incredible impact on my life. While I would never wish challenges with mental well-being on anyone, I am grateful for the gifts of wisdom and compassion that I've received. As a result of my experience, I step into this work truly hopeful that transformational growth can be found through our hardships and therapy can make a space for that.

Second, I believe in the power of therapy and I don’t think it’s the answer to all of our problems, especially as a collective society. There are larger systems at play that make being a person hard, such as racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, etc. (unfortunately this list can go on for quite a while). I am a constant work in progress learning about these systems and finding my own way towards challenging them. I can’t promise perfection, but I hope to create a space where we can be curious about how these dynamics impact you, our relationship, and what this means for your life.

Third, I am passionate about offering therapy that is informed by the latest research and I am fortunate to have been taught by some of the best in the field. I invite you to read on and learn about my approach and qualifications.

Therapeutic Approach:

I’ve received formal training in many types of therapy; the following are the ones that most significantly inform my practice:

Internal Family Systems (IFS):

  • Training: In 2017, I received my Level 1 certificate after studying with Dr. Richard Schwartz, Dr. Martha Sweezy, and Nancy Sowell, LICSW.
  • About: “IFS believes the mind is naturally multiple and that is a good thing. Our inner parts contain valuable qualities and our core Self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole. In IFS all parts are welcome.” — IFS Institute

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):

  • Training: In 2018, I began practicing ACT through my Harvard Vanguard Fellowship. I have since completed a number of courses led by Dr. Russ Harris.
  • About: ACT is a “psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies, together with commitment and behavior change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility means contacting the present moment fully as a conscious human being, and based on what the situation affords, changing or persisting in behavior in the service of chosen values.” — Steven Hayes

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

  • Training: I have received foundational and advanced training in Anxiety and Depression treatment through the Beck Institute.
  • About: “CBT is based on the theory that the way individuals perceive a situation is more closely connected to their reaction than the situation itself. Individuals’ perceptions are often distorted and unhelpful, particularly when they are distressed. CBT helps people identify their distressing thoughts and evaluate how realistic the thoughts are. Then they learn to change their distorted thinking. When they think more realistically, they feel better. The emphasis is also consistently on solving problems and initiating behavioral changes.” — Beck Institute

Mindfulness and Somatically-Informed Therapy:

  • Training: I have studied meditation and mindfulness for many years on my own and more formally through weeklong silent retreats at the Insight Meditation Society and the completion of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. I am also a trained yoga teacher and Reiki Level II practitioner. Although I don't directly teach or utilize these practices during our sessions, they support my understanding of the bidirectional healing connection that exists between our mind and body. I believe there are ways we can connect with our mind to support healing in our bodies (a top-down approach) and ways we can connect with our bodies to support healing in our mind (a bottom-up approach).

Perinatal Mental Health:

  • I have received my advanced training in treating Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International. I receive regular specialized consultation and ongoing training in this field. I also received 24/7 informal training as a mom to a young child 😉

Education

Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowships:

  • 2018-2019, Harvard Vanguard, Postgraduate Psychotherapy Fellowship
  • 2016-2017, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School Affiliate, HRSA Fellow

Undergraduate and Graduate Education:

  • 2017, Boston College, MSW
    • Recipient of the Academic Excellence Award
    • Recipient of the Dean’s Leadership Award
  • 2014, Northeastern University, MS in Nonprofit Management
  • 2009, Cornell University, BS in Biology & Society, Magna Cum Laude