
Allison M. Ray, M.S, LMHC, NCC
1. One of my favorite childhood memories is . . .
One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Friendly’s with with my Granny when we would visit. She loved to have a girls’ date and get sundaes together, and I can’t pass by a Friendly’s without thinking of her and how much I loved our time together. She embodied unconditional love in my life.
2. I love being a mental health counselor because . . .
I love being a mental health counselor because I feel like I am helping people, and it has always felt like it aligns with “who I am” and is not just “what I do.”
3. A life lesson I’ve learned from my clients is . . .
A life lesson I’ve learned from my clients is that we are all stronger than we realize or give ourselves credit for.
4. Three words that describe my counseling style are . . .
Three words that describe my counseling style are calm, curious, and supportive.
5. When I’m not in counseling sessions, you’ll find me . . .
When I’m not in counseling sessions, you’ll find me outdoors—walking, paddling, hiking, sitting in the woods or on the beach.
6. Three people who inspire me are . . .
Three people who inspire me are my mother, Sue Thomas (mentor), my 2 daughters.
7. A quote that I live by is . . .
A quote that I live by is “no mud, no lotus.”
8. One thing guaranteed to push me out of my comfort zone is . . .
One thing guaranteed to push me out of my comfort zone is being in a large group of people. :). It pushes me out of my introversion.
9. My best self-care technique is . . .
My best self-care technique is walking or spending time outside with my family and dogs.
10. This is how I found counseling and how counseling found me . . .
I got a job at SU in the School of Education a few years after undergrad at Cornell and decided to take a graduate course in counseling. It felt natural and I fell in love with it. I concentrated in school counseling so I could work with children and adolescents. My experience in the field has taken twists and turns I never could have anticipated, but it has all come together to prepare me for what I do today.
11. One thing I could not live without is . . .
One thing I could not live without is my family.
12. If I were to tell a friend about mental health counseling, I would say . . .
If I were to tell a friend about mental health counseling, I would say that everyone has the potential to lead a fulfilling and connected life, and counseling is a wonderful way to access that. Engaging in it is one of the bravest things we can do, and one of the biggest gifts we can give ourselves.
13. The approaches I draw from in my counseling practice are . . .
The approaches I draw from in my counseling practice are person-centered, TF-CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness, play/art-based therapies, IFS …I’m always learning about new approaches and trying to integrate them in intentional ways to meet my clients’ needs.