I offer my clients a confidential and accepting environment as a foundation for a collaborative relationship based on empathy, curiosity, and respect. Through the use of personal expression and art, we are able to access emotions, memories, fantasies, fears, and inherent wisdom in a deep and profound way. Such exploration leads us to begin to find meaning together in the material brought forth. Finding meaning behind painful, seemingly meaningless, and chaotic events, memories, self-concepts, or relational styles empowers, disrupts stagnancy, enables deeper and more fulfilling relationships and the experience of joy, and leads to a more rich and authentic sense of being. I couple this approach with education, skill building, resources, and cognitive methods, as my clients are best suited.

Lead clinical group consultation and supervision groups for DOT Center clinicians.

Teaching and supervising third-year students in off-site, agency-based clinical practicum programs.

Provide organizational development for non-profit organizations in San Francisco serving at-risk youth.

Child and family psychotherapist and expressive arts therapist for San Francisco residents on Medical.

Manage county-wide program contracted with Human Service Agency of San Mateo to provide three-months of case management to all families receiving Path 1 or 2 CPS referrals.

Conducted specialized home-based play therapy with autistic child (age 3-4 years). Observed and received training and on-going coaching from Dr. Barbara Kalmanson in "Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship" (DIR)/Floor Time Model.

Served as primary psychotherapist to a caseload of approximately ten clients. Provided services in school-based and clinic settings. Clients included children, teenagers, adults and families. Participated in year-long training focued on Minuchin's approach to Structural Family Therapy.

Coordinated youth mentoring program. Recruited, screened and trained volunteer mentors from the community. Developed relationships with local youth programs as means for generating referrals. Conducted home visits to potential youth participants' homes. Matched youth with mentors and supervised mentor/adult relationships.

Facilitated Tutor Program for Presidio Middle School's After School Program (San Francisco). Provided general management and over-sight of After School Program, including leading study classes, activities, and on-going groups. Facilitated the program's Girls' Group and created and led the Drama Therapy Group.

Worked along-side Executive Director to design and implement youth programs within the San Diego County Juvenile Hall and Unified School District systems. Collaborated with community and agency leaders.

Oversaw all functions of a thriving teen program, which grew under Ms. Allen's direction from eight to approximately thirty members. Facilitated and directed over ten regional bi-annual camps. Led weekly meetings, coordinated fundraising, and eventually founded a young adults' group for youth graduates of the program.