Brandy Allen, MA, LPCC
Brandy Allen is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Masters of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Brandy is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. She transitioned from practicing at Bluestem Center for five years prior to practicing at Onward, and completed her training and supervision at Fernbrook Family Center for three years providing in-home therapy, family therapy, and school-linked mental health in the Rochester Public Schools. Brandy is nationally certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), Masters trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and a Minnesota board approved clinical supervisor. Brandy finds it especially important to contribute both bottom up and town down approaches when healing from life’s stressors for the extended duration of time. Areas of specialty include: individual and family therapy, anger management, trauma and stress related concerns, depression and anxiety, self esteem/body image, reactive-attachment disorder and attachment concerns, parenting issues, and life adjustments. Brandy is trained in diversity, including work with the LGBTQ community, trauma-focused CBT, mindfulness and motivational interviewing; however utilizes an eclectic approach utilizing empirically supported methods such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Gestalt, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Person-Centered approaches, Play Therapy techniques, solution focused approaches, motivational interviewing, strengths based strategies, Accelerated Response Therapy (ART), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) approaches. She prides herself on continuing to educate herself to best meet the needs for the person who walks through her door, remaining flexible and open minded in her practice, as well as integrating the various supports into the therapeutic process. As a counselor, Brandy’s hope is to connect with her clients where they are at in life, while navigating life's stressors and adjustments. She is known for her ability to connect with the person who walks through her door, as well as her ability to express unconditional positive regard and support. Brandy also has a friendly, canine “coworker,” commonly known as a therapy dog named- Pierce, she incorporates into session for those that feel comfortable. Additionally, she enjoys building play, creative techniques, activity, and fun into sessions as a further tool to meet individuals where they are. Ultimately, she is passionate about active listening, sitting with others emotionally, and building optimism, insight, belief in self, and hope.