Allison M. Ray
MS, 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.