Welcome! I'm Whitney Allen, a wife, mom of two, therapist, and island girl originally from Bermuda. Growing up surrounded by culture, faith, and community shaped the lens through which I support others. I understand how overwhelming life can feel when you're trying to hold everything together, and I bring a culturally aware and compassionate approach to every session. I work with adolescents and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges, and major life transitions, helping them rediscover peace, purpose, and confidence. I hold a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Florida International University. With over seven years of experience, I’ve supported adolescents, adults, and individuals with disabilities across school, community, and outpatient settings. In sessions, I use a blend of evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, ACT, and narrative therapy. For clients who desire it, I also offer a Christian faith-based perspective, helping to connect emotional healing with spiritual growth. My style is warm and supportive, yet challenging. I meet you where you are and walk alongside you as you move toward the life you were created to live but remember, you have to do the work to get there.
In our first session, my goal is to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and supported. We’ll take time to explore what’s bringing you to therapy, your current challenges, and what you hope to gain from our work together. I’ll ask some background questions to better understand your experiences, and we’ll begin identifying goals that align with your needs and values. You don’t need to have it all figured out, just come as you are. Whether you’re feeling nervous, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, I’ll guide the process with compassion and care. This session is about building trust and starting the journey at your pace.
I have a calm and grounded presence that helps people open up and feel safe to be themselves. I don’t just listen to respond, I listen to understand what you’re really feeling and what you’re not saying out loud. At the same time, I’m not afraid to gently challenge you. I believe in being compassionate, but also honest because growth doesn’t happen without both. I’ll hold space for your struggles while also holding you accountable to the goals you set and the life you say you want. Sometimes we lose sight of our own strength. My job is to remind you it’s there and to help you reconnect with it.
I’m best positioned to serve adolescents, young adults, and women who are navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem struggles, and relational stress. Many of my clients are battling unhealthy thought patterns like self-doubt, perfectionism, overthinking, or feeling “not good enough,” which often lead to avoidance, people-pleasing, or emotional shutdowns. I especially enjoy working with adolescents who are trying to find their identity and voice, and who need support in building confidence, emotional resilience, and healthy self-worth. My ideal clients may feel overwhelmed or stuck, but they’re open to exploring their mindset, understanding their behaviors, and doing the deeper work of healing and growth. Whether you're ready to break free from patterns that no longer serve you or want to align your life with your values and faith, I offer a culturally aware, judgment-free space where you can rebuild confidence and move forward with purpose.
In my practice, I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients build psychological flexibility by learning to accept difficult emotions, unhook from unhelpful thoughts, and take values-based action. Through mindfulness, acceptance strategies, and a focus on what truly matters, clients learn how to respond to challenges in more meaningful and empowered ways.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Together, we work on identifying unhelpful thought patterns, building healthier ways of thinking, and practicing coping skills to support emotional and behavioral change.
I incorporate Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients develop skills for managing emotions, improving relationships, and coping with distress. Through a balance of acceptance and change, we focus on building skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
I use a strength-based approach that focuses on identifying and building upon your existing abilities, resources, and personal resilience. Together, we highlight what’s working well and use those strengths to navigate challenges and support growth.
I use Narrative Therapy to help clients explore the stories they tell about themselves and their experiences. Together, we work to reframe limiting narratives, highlight strengths, and create new, more empowering stories that align with their values and identity.