Allison Kacmar, LICSW, LCSW
Stress, Anxiety
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Self esteem
Depression
Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging
About me
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you" Maya Angelou. Words have power, words build the world around us, your story has power.
This quote has always held power to me. People often see therapy as something that “should” be easy but when they start they find themselves challenged in ways they never thought. That is because words have so much power. The words we tell ourselves, the words we tell others, the words, we hear about ourselves, the words that are spoken on a larger stage be it community, state, province, or country. Those words have impact far longer lasting than sticks and stones.
Through therapy, we work through the narrative that runs through your mind regarding yourself, the possible diagnoses you have received or not received. The narrative that has been ignored times and again when you are asking for help. We start there and deconstruct the words that are creating pain, keeping us stuck, frustrated, afraid, or or feeling powerless. From there we build a new narrative that is through the lens of your strengths, your tools, your abilities, and your survival. We do this to move from surviving to living and enjoying. We do this to give you back power, strength, and self-worth. We do this to find or re-invent who you want to be. Not who others think you should be but your genuine self. We do this together through ups and downs.
I have been a clinician for 8 years now, I have worked in groups, inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, and private practice. I am here to meet you where you’re at. I am open to text, phone, or video sessions based on your comfort level. I hope to meet you and work with you soon.
Professional experience
8yrs in practice
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment Issues, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Blended Family Issues, Body Image, Cancer, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Chronic Pain Illness and Disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Communication Problems, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and Separation, Emptiness, Expats, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fertility Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and Shame, HIV / AIDS, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation/Loneliness, Life Purpose, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic Stress, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Prejudice and Discrimination, Self-Harm, Self-Love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
License information
DC LICSW LC200002037
VA LCSW 0904012975
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Allison Kacmar. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Allison was a great help to me in getting control of my anxiety and in helping me better understand where it was coming from. She had the grace to laugh through the occasional technical difficulty and was always there when I needed her.
I always felt welcomed and that I was in good hands through the course of my time with her.
Written on Aug 03, 2021 after therapy with Allison for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
Speaking to Allison has been a wonderful experience and she has helped me to work through various things at my own pace. She has such a great attitude and her empathy encourages me to share more about the issues I’m trying to get to the bottom of. I would recommend Allison to friends of mine who are going to therapy.
Written on May 25, 2021 after therapy with Allison for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, grief, and adhd
Allison is extremely kind and supportive and goes out of her way to provide help and information about the things that are troubling you, she gives a sense of trust and confidence
Written on May 24, 2021 after therapy with Allison for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and lgbt
The best thing I have ever done for myself is work with Allison. Working with her has changed my life for the better and I owe her a lot!
Written on May 19, 2021 after therapy with Allison for 1 year on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Allison is wonderful. She puts me at ease, and it feels like a safe place to talk about anything. After just a few sessions, she knows where and how she can challenge me on my thoughts and actions. I look forward to the sessions with Allison, even though the work is hard. That's something I never thought i'd feel about therapy.
Written on May 06, 2021 after therapy with Allison for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Allison lets me take the lead. This allows me to stay in a safe space. But she also has a great balance of reading when I’m ready to push my own boundaries. The entire time, she makes herself available, listens to my stories, and understands my emotions and trauma no matter how big or small. I have definitely made strides and grown under with the help of her therapy sessions. I greatly appreciate her, thank you Allison.
Written on Dec 05, 2020 after therapy with Allison for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, and anger management