Therapy for the

creative and overextended

craving inner freedom.

The last chorus of Rent’s Seasons of Love (original broadway version, of course) trails off as your Subaru crunches into the driveway of your parent’s house…

Turning off the ignition, you grip the steering wheel, caught between courage and dread. No matter how many times you’ve done this before, dinner is never just dinner… It’s stepping back into a role you’ve played your whole life.

The peacekeeper. The listener. The truth swallower.

You pick up on moods in the room before anyone says a word, and you’re the one people turn to when they need understanding.

Mark’s gift is seeing what others missed… And you share that.

Your imagination is rich, but self-doubt often keeps your ideas locked away. You crave belonging, yet before and after every social moment, you’re stuck in you’re head…

Anticipating, overthinking, second-guessing.

Your chest tightens as you reach for the doorknob and your stomach churns into a vice.

Inevitably Mom’s going to make some critical comment about your outfit or someone’s going to joke about you being “too sensitive.” Every pause carries the weight of old arguments and unspoken words, a tension that sits heavily without needing to be named.

And you know the version of you they expect to see: agreeable, easy, reliable.

In hindsight, maybe Seasons of Love wasn’t the best track for heading into a night with your family.

You’ve never been the guarded type, but nights like this make you wish you had mastered the skill years ago.

Seasons of love? Try seasons of shame.

Note to self: next time que up Beyonce’s Break My Soul or Taylor’s Anti-Hero- something with more armor built in.

You’ve highlighted every other page of Untamed, been in and out of therapy since college, journaled until your hand cramped, and whispered “we can do hard things” like a secret spell.

But the instant your dad makes that familiar comment, or your sister smirks in that way only she can, you’re ten again- bracing for impact.

You’re transported right back to that time, always trying to be “the responsible one,” taking the blame for things you didn’t do just to keep the peace, and navigating everyone else’s moods.

But it’s not just tonight, at this dinner table, is it?

This shape-shifting has gotten so automatic you hardly notice it anymore.

With your boss, you pick up extra work, worried they’ll think you’re slacking. With your friends, you say yes when your whole body is begging you to say no. With your partner, you bite your tongue because honesty still feels like it could blow everything up.

But sometimes- sometimes- you imagine showing up more like Maureen. Bold. Unapologetic. Free. What if that version of you has been waiting all along?

Coping strategies and unpacking daily stress can only take you so far.

It doesn’t touch the closet in your mind, where you shove everything, hoping it will disappear. Whether you realize it or not, a part of you has been tucked away in there too, just out of reach, waiting.

No matter how tightly you lock the door, the walls aren’t soundproof. A passing comment, one too many responsibilities, and suddenly you’re spiraling. Chaos settles in like it owns the place.

And yet… music, creativity, expression… they reach past the walls. They help you make sense of things, help you feel less alone. They have a way of pulling you closer, back to the part of you that’s real, alive, and unapologetically you.

Therapy has helped before… but it’s never gone deep enough.

True healing means opening that closet and letting everything out; the stuff you’ve been hiding, ignoring, shoving aside. We’re talking full on Marie Kondo territory. You ready for that?

But here’s the thing… you won’t be doing it alone. Your music, your imagination, your art- they guide you. They lead you deeper, closer to yourself, to the part of you that’s been waiting all along.

Therapy is:

  • Unsettling, choosing to open the door you’ve been too afraid to touch and finally letting the shame, guilt, loneliness, embarrassment, and judgement from others breath so you can hear your own voice again.

  • Nurturing, a chance to finally meet your own needs and give yourself the care you’ve waited for from everyone else for so long.

  • An investment in real transformation, showing up for yourself in a way that’s brave, tender, and unapologetically yours. Your weekly time is sacred, honoring yourself as a priority. This isn’t a shortcut; it’s real change crafted through your time, your resources, and the full devotion of your heart.

  • Where curiosity meets creativity. Your music, self expression, and imagination are celebrated and central.

Therapy isn’t:

  • A guided tour with a laid out itinerary or someone crafting a version of history that’s easy to digest. Change is messy. It takes patience, courage, and trust in yourself to untangle the stories you’ve been carrying. No one else, not even me, knows the way better than you.

  • An hour of simply talking through problems or practicing coping skills, though there is a time and place for that. My approach is experiential and targeted towards helping you attune to your inner world. Sessions center mind-body exploration and music-based reflection. Helping you feel more deeply into yourself, not thinking your way through.

  • Just showing up once a week. It pays off when you lean into the work between sessions- catching self-sabotage in action, navigating difficult conversations, and actively caring for yourself in ways that stick.

I'm Ready!

Hi! I’m Alison.

Flutist, Therapist, lover of nature, and passionate co-pilot helping you re-discover yourself through the music that’s helped you survive.

I know you’ve wrestled with perfectionism, people-pleasing, mood swings, and the weight of other people’s expectations. You’re a sensitive soul who’s been shamed for your authentic gifts. All you’ve ever wanted is to be seen, heard, and celebrated for who you are… but that’s hard to do when you’ve grown up in a family… dare I say world? that can’t seem to see beyond their own needs.

It’s not that you lack self-awareness or insight. You’ve thought yourself in circles about all of this- in therapy, through journaling, maybe even scrolling through self-help content… but thinking alone can only take you so far. Healing doesn’t happen just in your head, it lives in your body. That’s where the emotion, the tension, and the memories hide.

This is where music comes in. You know that song that hits you out of nowhere- the one that brings you right back to a breakup, or the summer nights you spent driving with friends, windows down, singing at the top of your lungs? Music has a way of holding our memories and reflecting our truth back to us. It’s both a container and a mirror, a way to connect with the parts of yourself that words can’t always reach.

In my work, I take an experiential, trauma-informed, and mind-body based approach. I help people process and express emotions through creative, somatic, and music-centered practices. My style weaves together inner child work, parts work, and shame healing to support deep integration and growth. Like a tuning fork, I partner with you - and with your music- to find your center; maping your experiences, moving through past pain, and beginning to reclaim your true self.

More about Alison

Who is Ready

You’re ready if you’ve tried more cognitively oriented approaches like CBT or DBT and found yourself craving something deeper. You’ve noticed how often you perform, over-adapt, or cater to the needs of others and you’re tired of not understanding why. You know this work might get messy, uncomfortable, and stretch everything you thought you knew about yourself… but strangely, that feels exciting. Because you know you can’t keep living like this.

All Your Tempo Healing services are virtual, for now. This means you’ll need a private, quiet space free of interruptions where you can feel comfortable meeting during daytime hours (9am- 5pm). You’re able to prioritize a 50–60 minute session once a week and you’re ready to make this investment of time, energy, and finances into yourself. You also must be willing to engage in imaginative, creative-based reflection. Therapy services are only offered across MD and PA. However, Music Therapy may be available to those located in other areas of the country.

Who isn’t Ready

This approach isn’t for everyone… and that’s completely okay.

It might not be for you if the idea of having someone witness your music, movement, writing, art, or other forms of expression feels too exposing. It also might not be a fit if you’re not in a place to prioritize deep inner work or eventually take action on what you discover. And if you’d rather steer clear of exploring family relationships or childhood experiences, preferring to stay focused on the present moment, that’s valid, but this won’t be the right space for you.

Most importantly, Your Tempo Healing may not be the best fit if you’re not yearning to truly understand yourself on a deeper level and open to embracing everything you find there: the good, the bad, the messy, and the beautiful. This is the work of self-acceptance and forgiveness. It takes a kind of courage that not everyone is ready for.

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • My current rate is:

    $245 for the initial session (60 minutes)

    $235 for all ongoing sessions (55 minutes)

    Sliding scale appointments may be available upon request. Please inquire to learn more.

    I require an active credit card number be held on file to meet for sessions. This is kept in a HIPAA secure platform called Simple Practice. I accept all major credit cards (including HSA/FSA) and provide Good Faith Estimates to help you receive reimbursements through your Out Of Network (OON) benefits with insurance.

    However, therapy costs more than just your weekly fee. It costs a willingness to go deep when it’s often much easier to stay on the surface. It costs your illusions and the comfort you feel (even if that is misguided) in not letting someone really see you.

    Outside of this, there is a time cost. I am presently only taking those clients who are willing to meet at a minimum once a week. At least in the beginning. This is soul work and it builds with consistent care and time. I have seen the difference in outcomes between those who commit themselves and prioritize their therapy over those that meet less frequently, even just biweekly, or cancel frequently. The more you invest of yourself, your time, the better outcomes you’ll see.

    Don’t worry about always having something to say- the most growth comes when you allow yourself to be in the moment. Plus… words won’t always be needed where you and I will go.

  • It depends on your insurance, and whether or not you have out of network (OON) benefits.

    It is important to know that Your Tempo Healing is not an in-network provider for any insurance company, which means any reimbursement from your insurance happens because you’ve submitted claims.

    Some insurance plans will reimburse you for costs related to attending therapy. Your Tempo Healing requires you pay all fees up front. However, if you choose this option, I will send you a monthly statement, called a Superbill, that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Alternatively, Your Tempo Healing partners with a services called Mentaya who streamlines the whole process. There is a small fee per claim to use them. You are welcome to ask me for more information if interested.

    Alison is also an independent contractor with a platform called Alma. She can accept in-network Aetna insurance there. However, because insurance companies discounts services, she only has a few INN spots available at a time. When using insurance, you should consider that you will be required to have a diagnosis and your treatment plan will be limited to that lens. Insurance will often not cover care beyond what they deem is necessary. However, Alison understands that not everyone has the capacity to afford services out of pocket and in this situation, insurance helps put support in reach.

  • The first step is reaching out via my Counseling Services Inquiry Form. This helps me assess our fit right from the start and learn a few details from you that can help me speak to how services will meet your needs.

    If it appears we’re a good match, I’ll respond via email with my availability and we’ll schedule a brief 15 minute phone call to answer your questions. If I believe you’d be better served by another clinician, I’ll provide suggestions for other therapists you could contact.

    It’s best to think of that brief initial call as an opportunity for you to assess if you feel ready to move forward with scheduling the intake appointment. After we talk, I’ll give you an opportunity to consider your next steps and schedule (if ready). You will receive paperwork after scheduling that I expect you to complete no later than 24 hours in advance of your first appointment.

    The intake session is where we’ll really dive in and begin to build the foundation of our work together. I’ll ask you questions about your personal history, important relationships, and what brought you to therapy as well as review any questions that came up for you as you filled out the paperwork.

    It takes at least the first 3 sessions for us to find our rhythm and assess fit. I will check in with you after the third session to see how therapy is going for you.

    Lastly, I offer depth oriented therapy, which means meeting once a week minimum to start. This is essential for building rapport and helping us get on the same page. Therapy is a relational treatment, which is the reason I stress making sure we are the right match. It is essential that you feel some level of comfort and confidence to open up in order for this to work.

    My schedule is Tuesday- Friday at varying times between the hours of 9am- 5pm depending on the day of the week.

  • Presently, Your Tempo Healing is not based out of an office and services are completely virtual. Alison is licensed in both Maryland and Pennsylvania and located just outside Washington DC in Hyattsville, MD.

    Sessions are held via a HIPAA compliant video platform. As long as you are located in Maryland or Pennsylvania at the time of your appointment, I am able to meet with you.

  • Anywhere from 6 months to a year. Possibly longer depending on what we’re looking at. It is common that clients come to therapy for one set of circumstances and stay because they uncover other valuable areas for growth and self-reflection. Sometimes they stay because it has become such a valuable part of their routine.

    That being said, it is always my goal to eventually work myself out of the job. Either that comes from you healing and feeling more connected and resourced or it happens because we recognize another approach might be a better fit to take you along the next phase of your journey. It is important to remember that this time is a gift you are giving to yourself. This is not my time, it is yours. Outcomes are completely driven by your investment.

    It may also be possible to purchase a package of music therapy specific sessions to pair with work you are already in the process of doing with another therapist. Please inquire if you are interested.

    With depth therapy, we are exploring the underneath thoughts and feelings behind your experiences and behaviors. More like a ping pong ball… It’s not linear and often has a pattern that’s difficult to see at first. We’re always assessing where you’re at, what you’re feeling, and where you’re going. It’s a part of the process and your music, body, and self expression always lead you exactly where you need to go.

    We will decide treatment goals together and assess the direction of our appointments every 6 months or so.

  • Due to the nature of music-centered and creative expression oriented sessions, you are expected to join virtually from a comfortable, quiet, location free of distractions. For example, it isn’t appropriate to meet from your car.

    You will be expected to have paper and writing supplies available as well as access to a music listening platform. It may also be essential to use ear buds or a headset. Art supplies may be suggested as we work together.