Welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

I’m Allison Goforth.

I am a licensed clinical social worker (NC #C010579, SC #12338). I graduated with distinction from Duke University with a bachelor of science in psychology and received my master’s in social work from the University of Georgia. I moved forward to work for several years in hospice inpatient and home care, helping patients find purpose and meaning in their experiences. I am an expert in bringing hope to difficult situations. I’m aware that it can be really hard to open up when there is a history of damaged relationships, trauma, or judgment, and I believe truth and rapport come easier when a therapist is nonjudgmental and kind. In sessions, I balance kindness and accountability.

I have been privileged to work for several years in outpatient therapy with people who have borderline personality disorder, as well as those struggling with suicidal thoughts, past suicide attempts, and self-harm. I also help people with PTSD (single-incident or chronic developmental) process traumatic memories. Many times these symptoms and experiences overlap, and it has been my effort in the long-term to develop a therapeutic “toolbox” relevant to these concerns.

I believe evidence-based practice is the responsible way for therapists to provide care. I am foundationally trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy through Marsha Linehan's organization, Behavioral Tech, and I am EMDR trained through EMDRIA. I have obtained extensive continuing education in using EMDR with dissociation and complex trauma. I have also completed Level 1 and Level 2 training on Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy through Thomas Lynch's organization, Radically Open. These modalities allow me to help people make desired changes to minimize symptoms and build lives they feel are worth living and worth sharing with others.

My favorite skills are Opposite Action from standard DBT, and the practice of "kindness first and foremost" from RO-DBT. When I’m not doing therapy, you could probably find me hanging out with my husband and baby, often outdoors, and often singing silly improvised songs about whatever we’re doing.