Hello! My name is Allison Smeck (she/her), and I am a Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) in the state of Oregon. I see individuals (ages 16-40) for both in-person and virtual sessions. Many of us have personal histories that make it difficult to cope with the here and now. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, unseen or frustrated by people and patterns of behavior that aren’t supporting you living your best life, I’d like to help! We’ll work together to separate the feelings of "stuckness" and overwhelm into smaller pieces that are easier to tackle, and we’ll share in meaning-making when we discover difficult or painful events in your history that might be interfering with your ability to see your strengths and power.

Are you a good clinical fit?

Sometimes therapists and clients aren’t good matches for the work that needs to be done! For that reason, I offer a free 15-minute consultation to all potential clients to make sure that we think we’re a good match. I want to make sure you feel safe, comfortable, and understood so that you can be your authentic self in our sessions. I love working with clients who are on the journey of exploring their gender identity and/or sexual orientation, and also folks who are sorting through other parts of their identity to find their authentic selves. I enjoy working with clients who struggle to find and name emotions.

My approach to therapy is modeled after fictional character Mrs. Frizzle’s rules for a field trip: “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!” Sessions with me are casual and conversational but my clients also appreciate my directness. I’ll ask you questions that prompt you to go to places in your life that feel blocked or boundaried and I’ll also encourage you to pause and find the stillness to understand your discomfort better. I thrive in a therapeutic relationship with regular feedback, so I’ll ask you often how you think things are going and if your goals for treatment match what we’re accomplishing together.

My Approach

I chose to train in the discipline of social work because at its core it is a biopsychosocial approach. That means that I’m always curious about you as a whole person. What’s happening with your body, your emotions and your environment all matter in helping us discern sources of support as well as the pathways that no longer serve you. I like to pull from Psychodynamic theories, Strengths-Based practices, Attachment Theory, Emotion Focused therapies, Relational therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. You’ll find me using techniques from Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness, Art Therapy and all things humanistic! I am also a specialist in issues related to chronic illness, death, dying, grief and loss. TLDR: I pull a little bit from a lot of different theories and models to meet whatever needs are bringing you to therapy, but the above are some that I like enough to name.

Beyond the Therapy Room

I value authenticity and safety not just from you in sessions but also from myself! I hold myself to a high bar of being a human with you, not a blank or neutral body. Outside of my work as a therapist you are likely to find me with my wife and dog, at my ceramics studio, tide pooling (or doing other ocean activities) or at the airport on the way to visit my family. I’m a lover of coffee, summer fruit, farmer’s markets and thrift stores and chasing sunshine! I’m a former elementary school teacher turned therapist, I speak French and I love any occasion I can find to doodle!

I look forward to working with you!