A little something about me
I’m a simple girl living in an increasingly complicated world. I was raised during the 70’s and 80’s when kid crews played neighborhood games in cul de sacs and rode bikes until dinner time. I collected caterpillars on my arms, climbed crab apples trees, made mud pies with pansies, and ding-dong ditched my neighbors with May flower bouquets. I could bob and tumble in the ocean’s waves all day, and did. Camping was a big part of my culture.
I have been blessed with goodly parents who love the Lord and baptized me as a member of the LDS church. (I am a proud great granddaughter of Brigham Young.) This attuned me early on to a sense of purpose through a connection with reverence, service, and Spirit. I feel safest in sacred spaces, sacred communities. My upbringing also opened my curiosity. As I wondered and wandered into my own sense of self, I remained faithful to my ancestor’s values while exploring the variety of beautiful ways humans heal, feel comforted, loved, and whole.
Education:
2002 Bachelors degrees in The Study of Religion and Anthropology at UCSD
2008 Masters degree in Social Work at SDSU
In between graduation and licensure, I had two children. When my toddler was diagnosed with Doose Syndrome in 2013, an intractable form of epilepsy, I became a pediatric cannabis advocate out of necessity. While expanding into the demanding role of mother/caregiver for my son with terrifying new needs, I was able to complete my LCSW licensure hours by starting a support group for other families also pioneering the pediatric use of cannabis. Our children changed medical history forever, which I wrote a book about for my boy.
Licensure:
2017 LCSW CA BBS #76522
2021 LCSW TX BHEC #104786
My heart most aligned with my work when I was a medical hospice social worker - supporting patients and caregivers living with chronic pain and illness, confronting end of life, death, and grief. I find I do my most meaningful work when grace and the sacred are present, which has been informed by seeking wisdom, personal practice, and community.
Additional clinical trainings:
Energy psychology, including EFT (“tapping”) and AIT (formerly “Seemorg Matrix Work”)
Beyond my academic training and professional experiences, I am a daughter, mother, true sister, writer, meditator, and healer. I love the Wise Woman Herbalism Tradition and freckled fawns. I wander in dreams and nature, where I play as an artist. I am a student, entrepreneur, and advocate. I love babies, beauty, poetry, circles, and simplicity.
My curiosity has lead me to wise, generous teachers who have intimately shaped who I am and how I show up in the world:
Feminine Leadership training with Shannon Thompson, Jessica D’Arcy, Tarja Stoeckle, Jordan Stanton, Leah Caron, and Rachel Hernandez
Year-long Buddhism mentorship with Noah Levine, author of Dharma Punx
Yoga teacher training with Melissa Love and Ryan Glidden
Pediatric cannabis advocacy with Ray Mirzabegian at the Realm of Caring in CA and Dr. Bonni Goldstein
Death doula training with INELDA
Buddhism mentorship, trainings, and retreats with Vinny Ferraro and Matthew Brensilver at Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Reiki I and II completed (mastery training in progress) with Reiki Master Sharna Langlais
Nature Art Teacher Training Program (in progress with) with artist Day Schildkret, author of Morning Altars
While my current niche is chronic pain management, know that extends to more than physical pain. If your heart and body have been in any kind of distress for a while now, and if my simple ways speaks to you, I would love to speak with you. We can practice slowing down together :)
Warmly,
Allison
