Allison Hanigan, MS, LMFTA

I help adults, couples, and families break dysfunctional patterns, gain new perspectives, and heal from the past.

My Work

At one point or another, we have all experienced feeling stuck, disconnected, or having difficulty navigating our relationships. Being human is complicated, and it’s normal to feel anxious, overwhelmed, or lost at times in your life. Considering therapy is a sign of growth, bravery, and courage – even when it doesn’t feel like it. As you show up for yourself each week, you create a unique opportunity to look inward and not only improve your own life, but also your capacity to show up for others. Together, we can get to the root of your challenges and find a way to a more fulfilling life.

As a collaborative therapist, I want therapy to be something you can look forward to; to feel like it’s yours. My style is warm, welcoming, and relaxed. I encourage growth and will advocate for your goals, but also meet you where you are at each day. I strive to create an environment of understanding, safety, and curiosity. Through a process-oriented approach we can better understand how you operate and why. This may look like exploring previous experiences, learning how to work with your nervous system, and creating a reality that better serves you. In relational therapy, this may look like slowing down and exploring patterns/conflict in a new way. My hope is that by gaining this understanding, you and/or your relationships will sustain growth and healing well after therapy ends.

My Belief

I believe that all of us have a wise intuition – a core “Self”. Through experiences, big and little traumas, and complex relationships, we learn strategies to adapt. While these strategies are often helpful and allow us to survive, they can sometimes make it difficult to live a fulfilling life. Often times, things like depression, anxiety, stress, etc. will improve once we address our underlying trauma or maladaptive coping strategies.

I believe therapy is meant to be a non-judgmental space, where you are the expert of your own life, and I am here to walk alongside you. By improving your relationship with yourself, you can learn to confidently make the calls and decisions in your life.

My Background

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate with a MS from Seattle Pacific University and a BA in psychology from Gonzaga University. I previously interned for 2 years at a group practice in North Bend, WA where I had the pleasure of providing therapy services to many different populations – couples, adults, teens, and kids. I am Level 2 trained in Lifespan Integration – a trauma modality – and Level 1 in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. My theory of focus in school was Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), with a side focus of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS). My work has a strong attachment theory influence. I am LGBTQ+ affirming and committed to practicing from a multicultural lens.

My Self

I am a Washington native – born and raised in a small town on the Columbia River. After spending my high school years on Whidbey Island and then college in Spokane, I moved to Seattle where I currently reside with my husband, dog (Mocha), and cat (Cheeto). In my free time I love to try new coffee shops and breweries, play pickleball or boulder, and spend time with my husband and friends. I have always been passionate about therapy and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Contact

Please use the contact form below to learn about Allison’s availability.