Luke Allen, PhD

My approach to therapy is primarily based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). A core idea in ACT is that trying too hard to get rid of or control our emotions tends to backfire. Instead of trying to get rid of unwanted thoughts and feelings, I will help you learn to react differently to them so that you can keep your focus on living a meaningful and fulfilling life based on what’s important to you. We will work together to set meaningful goals to address your concerns–whether they relate to life transitions, depression, anxiety, body image, grief or loss, job or academic stress, or gender and sexuality.

If you feel like we may be a good fit, please reach out. I will follow up with you for a brief (5-15 minute) phone call, where I can learn a little bit more about you and answer any questions you might have. I provide telehealth services primarily in Nevada and Oregon. I can also practice remotely in 36+ additional "PsyPACT" states.

The abundance of acronyms, jargon, and theoretical concepts in the mental health field can make finding the right therapist daunting. Psychology even faces a "theory crisis," where new theories proliferate without necessarily being better than existing ones. While over 250 therapies exist, some are more common: - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors. - Mindfulness-Based CBT (MB-CBT): Combines CBT with mindfulness practices. - Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT): CBT tailored to treat trauma. - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages acceptance of thoughts and feelings while aligning with personal values. - Habit Reversal Training (HRT): Targets unwanted habits like hair pulling or nail biting. - Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): Treats anxiety and OCD by exposing clients to fears while preventing compulsive behaviors. - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Treats trauma by focusing on memories while performing eye movements. - Internal Family Systems (IFS): Addresses internal conflicts by viewing the self as having multiple "parts." - Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT): Aims to improve communication and relationships. - Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Blends mindfulness and CBT to manage intense emotions and improve relationships. While these therapies differ, research suggests that common factors across all approaches contribute to successful outcomes: - Therapeutic Alliance: The trusting, collaborative relationship between therapist and client. - Client Factors: Motivation, willingness to change, and clear goals. - Expectations: The client's belief in therapy's effectiveness. A good therapist combines these common factors with their expertise and tailors their approach to your specific needs. This might involve exposure-based therapies for trauma or OCD, HRT for body-focused repetitive behaviors, or ACTCBT for more general concerns like anxiety or depression. For more specific or specialized presenting concerns, you may need a more specialized therapist like a career counselor, gender specialist, OCD specialist, or addiction counselor. I prefer ACT because it makes fewer assumptions and closely aligns with the core principles of effective therapy. It helps me set clear, value-driven goals with clients and navigate their unique challenges. While many different approaches in therapy may be helpful, therapy is not "anything goes." Choose a therapist with a solid theoretical foundation and a treatment plan to address your specific needs and goals.