Allison Clay, LMFT
Compassionate LMFT for anxiety and relationships
- Anxiety and mood support
- Relationship and family focus
- Virtual therapy options
About Allison Clay
Allison Clay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who brings a warm, grounded presence to virtual therapy for people managing anxiety, mood challenges, and the everyday overwhelm of life. She combines empathetic listening with practical strategies to help individuals feel heard, build insight, and develop tools that make daily life more manageable.
Her commitment to emotional well-being began in a middle school setting, where she advocated for students' social and emotional needs - an experience that continues to shape her consistent, caring approach. That early work informs how she supports clients across a range of concerns, including stress, relationships, parenting, trauma, grief, and issues related to self-esteem and identity.
Allison speaks openly about living with Generalized and Social Anxiety, and that lived experience informs her sensitivity to how difficult it can be to reach out for help. In therapy she focuses on identifying patterns, triggers, and symptoms while teaching evidence-based, practical techniques to reduce distress and improve functioning. Her style is collaborative and nonjudgmental, centering the client as the expert on their life while offering structured guidance.
She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - CA LMFT 50174 - and offers virtual sessions designed to fit into clients' lives with flexibility and respect for individual needs.
Her commitment to emotional well-being began in a middle school setting, where she advocated for students' social and emotional needs - an experience that continues to shape her consistent, caring approach. That early work informs how she supports clients across a range of concerns, including stress, relationships, parenting, trauma, grief, and issues related to self-esteem and identity.
Allison speaks openly about living with Generalized and Social Anxiety, and that lived experience informs her sensitivity to how difficult it can be to reach out for help. In therapy she focuses on identifying patterns, triggers, and symptoms while teaching evidence-based, practical techniques to reduce distress and improve functioning. Her style is collaborative and nonjudgmental, centering the client as the expert on their life while offering structured guidance.
She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - CA LMFT 50174 - and offers virtual sessions designed to fit into clients' lives with flexibility and respect for individual needs.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Allison Clay have?
Allison Clay has 23 years of experience.
Is Allison Clay a licensed therapist?
Yes. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT. License details: CA LMFT 50174.
In which languages does Allison Clay provide therapy?
Allison Clay provides therapy in English.
Where is Allison Clay located?
Allison Clay is located in California.
How can I work with Allison Clay as my therapist?
You can work with Allison Clay through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Allison Clay work with international clients?
Allison Clay does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Allison Clay cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches That Work Well Online
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and collaboration - the therapist creates a supportive environment where the client’s own goals and values guide the work. This approach is useful for building self-understanding, improving relationships, and navigating life transitions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It uses practical exercises and skill-building to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and to create measurable changes in daily functioning.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) helps people process distressing memories and trauma by using structured protocols that can reduce the intensity of traumatic reactions and improve emotional regulation.
Choosing the right method is part of the therapeutic process. Allison collaborates with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and adapts techniques over time so the approach fits the client rather than forcing a single method.
Online therapy via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for busy schedules, easier access for those in remote areas, and multiple ways to stay connected between sessions. These options let licensed professionals and therapists tailor care to how a person prefers to engage, making consistent treatment more achievable.