Hey there! I’m Allie, a Marriage and Family Therapist here at PhIIRST with a specialization in sex and couples therapy. I’m passionate about helping individuals and couples find clarity, tap into vulnerability, and increase authenticity in their many relationships. The most important aspect of therapy is the ability to trust your therapist, which is why I strive to create a non-judgemental and collaborative environment. My flexible approach to therapy balances the exploration of emotional discomfort with humor, joy, and pleasure!

Here are some of my areas of specialization:

• Communication & Conflict Resolution Skills – We’re not always taught how to effectively approach conflict with a loved one, but it’s never too late to learn! Conflict can be an intimate experience when we have the right tools in our toolbox.
• Navigating Family Dynamics – Do you struggle to relate to your parents now that you’re an adult? Does your partner’s family operate differently than yours in a way that causes stress? Exploring needs, feelings, and boundaries with family can help us more authentically relate to them.
• Desire Discrepancy – Navigating differences with our partner(s) can be challenging, especially when those differences relate to sexual intimacy. I work with couples to address this difference with empathy by increasing intimacy of all kinds, improving sexual communication, and reducing disconnecting experiences of pressure and frustration.
• Exploring Polyamory/Consensual Non-Monogamy – Whether you’re considering non-monogamy for the first time or already exploring non-monogamous relating, it can be helpful to process emotions with a therapist who affirms unique and expansive relationship structures.
• Specific Sexual Challenges – I treat acute sexual challenges such as erectile dysfunction, premature/delayed ejaculation, anorgasmia, and low sexual desire.
• Redefining Masculinity – What does it mean to “be a man”? If you find that the historic definition of masculinity doesn’t quite work for you, your sexuality, or your relationships, let’s find your authentic definition of masculinity together.
• Purity Culture/Sexual Shame – Many of us grew up in a purity culture where we established belief systems around sexual purity and our self-worth. If you notice that these belief systems are holding you back from being your authentic self, you’re not alone, and we can deconstruct them together.

If you resonate with any of these or related growth areas, I’d love to offer a 15-minute phone consultation free of charge for us to get acquainted and to learn more about the intake process! Send me an email to get things started.

Educational Background: I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology from Penn State University where I began my counseling experience at a local community crisis hotline center. I went on to receive my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Sex Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University. I continue to read, research, and participate in trainings relevant to my core specialties.