Allison Pond, Clinician (she/her)

Stories shape how we understand ourselves and our relationships—and sometimes, our stories need to be rewritten. I help individuals and couples explore their stories with curiosity and compassion — how they formed, what they protect, and how they might be expanded or revised. My goal is to offer a warm, safe, and collaborative space where you can understand yourself more deeply, reconnect with your values, and move toward change.

Individual Therapy
I help people gain insight into why they act, think, and feel the way they do and to explore new ways of being. My approach is grounded in the belief that healing begins with awareness and self-compassion. In individual therapy, I provide a supportive space to examine the patterns, emotions, and experiences that shape your life so you can find a deeper sense of authenticity and ease. I draw from mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, Journal Therapy, and other experiential and holistic approaches that integrate mind, body, and emotions. I also believe in the power of creativity to help you tap into your inner wisdom and facilitate healing.

Couples Therapy
Relationships can be both deeply rewarding and deeply challenging. In couples therapy, I help partners understand the emotional cycles that create distance and disconnection and learn to rebuild safety, empathy, and trust. My approach is based in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), the Gottman Method, and experiential methods that invite openness and curiosity. Whether you’re working through conflict, struggling with intimacy, or seeking to reconnect after a breach of trust, my goal is to help you and your partner move toward a more understanding and emotionally attuned relationship. Working together, I can help you:

• Strengthen communication and conflict resolution skills

• Deepen emotional and physical intimacy

• Rebuild safety and trust after betrayal or conflict

• Address trauma affecting the relationship

• Build a strong foundation through premarital counseling

• Navigate life transitions with greater understanding

• Cultivate a more meaningful, purpose-driven life together

Experience
I am a Resident in Counseling in the Commonwealth of Virginia under the supervision of Carolyn Bell working toward licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I obtained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the College of William & Mary, where I received training in trauma-informed and mindfulness-based therapies. I also hold a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a BA in Journalism and English from Brigham Young University. 

Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a journalist covering social issues, a public opinion researcher, and a marketing strategist. My experience helping individuals and organizations find meaning, clarity, and voice through story has shaped my belief that telling — and revising — our personal stories can be a profound act of healing and growth. I also lead therapeutic writing workshops designed to teach people to use writing as a path to reflection, connection, and transformation.