Ayanna Allen, MFT

Hi! I am Ayanna Allen, a Marriage and Family therapist who is extremely sensitive to the importance of maintaining trust and respect for others in their most vulnerable times. I care, and I am honored to sit in a position of help and support.

My lived experiences have all directed me on a path to caring for others. From sacrifices made as a single parent, to community organizing work where I have helped empower others to make necessary changes in their lives, I have always been enthusiastic about my ability to assist in the wellbeing of another person. I believe in you and your capability to make the changes you wish to see in your life. Let’s work together to highlight your strengths and help you reach your desired goals.

I completed my undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. After gaining experience in early childhood education, I went on to complete my Emergency Medical Technician-Basic training and experience. From there I moved on to becoming a Community Organizer within the south side of Chicago. Along this journey, I saw pain, sadness, and feelings of hopelessness. I was able to share support, comfort, and a new perspective that helped others find better lived experiences, strengthen relationships, gain feelings of belonging, and express joy.

This motivated me to complete my master’s program in Couple and Family Therapy at Adler University in 2020. I am excited to support clients from all cultural backgrounds in improving their internal communication with themselves, as well as their external communication relationally with others, to create healthier relationships. Although my specialty includes working with families, couples, and individuals belonging to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, I share the core value of the AAMFT to support, promote, and protect diversity and to value all individuals and groups. I am consistently learning and increasing my ability to remain culturally competent and a stronger ally to those who identify with the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

Outside of a therapeutic setting, I am also an independent distributor with Pure Romance, where I advocate for adult sexual wellness and intimacy enhancement. In my personal time, I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my cute little dog. My hobbies include art, entertainment, exploring gardening, enjoying beautiful flowers, reading, and listening to music, all of which help soothe my soul. I believe laughter helps prolong life, and I am looking forward to helping others enjoy more laughter in their lives, too.

We all need help sometimes, and we deserve to have someone show up for us. If you will allow me the chance to show up for you, contact me for an appointment.

Clinical Focus

There are so many factors in life that cause us to feel alone, misunderstood, anxious, depressed, angry and a host of other emotions. Navigating these emotions is worse when we feel unsafe, alone, or unable to see ourselves or our lives beyond our struggles. It is my goal to provide a safe space that allows healing where my clients do not have to feel alone.

The theory of change I am most drawn to is Solution-focused Brief Therapy. I believe we get stuck when we focus more on our deficits and weaknesses rather than our strengths and competencies. It is my aim to assist clients in seeing possibilities versus limitations. Additionally, in my experience, time and money are luxuries many do not have, and a lack of resources can have a profound impact on mental health. Therefore, theoretical orientations that are brief in nature may help me provide care to a wider demographic of people in need.

However, I have a great deal of respect, and a working knowledge and skill set in Adlerian therapy, Narrative Therapy, The Gottman Method and Collaborative Therapy Models.