Allison Tugwell, MEd, RP (she/her), is one of our dedicated Associate Clinicians specializing in individual therapy. As a Registered Psychotherapist in good standing with the CRPO (#008098), Allison creates a calm, caring, and supportive space where clients can feel heard, understood, and empowered.
As a person of Indigenous heritage, she brings a unique cultural perspective to her work, offering culturally sensitive care that is responsive to the needs of diverse individuals. Her compassionate, non-judgmental style fosters a safe environment for healing and growth.
Outside of her professional life, Allison channels her creativity into art, crafting, and design projects, offering a thoughtful and reflective approach to her work. If you’re seeking a therapist who is dedicated to helping you achieve positive change, Allison would be honored to work with you.
2025 Fee Information:
$175.00 per hour for individual therapy. HST is not applicable for clinical services provided by Registered Psychotherapists as of June 20, 2024. Allison is also an approved provider for the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. Our clinic offers direct billing for eligible clients through the NIHB program.
Specialization & Clinical Focus:
- Enhancing emotional awareness and developing emotion-regulation skills through a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) approach, focusing on mindfulness and distress tolerance techniques.
- Coping with symptoms of anxiety and depression using evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to challenge negative thought patterns and promote emotional balance.
- Exploring and processing childhood trauma, helping clients understand its impact and reduce its long-term emotional and psychological effects.
- Specializing in grief and loss, providing support for clients navigating feelings of shame and guilt, and fostering healing through tailored therapeutic interventions.
- Addressing relationship difficulties, conflicts, and attachment struggles, with a focus on enhancing assertiveness, communication skills, and emotional connection.
- Setting personalized goals and overcoming barriers that contribute to feeling “stuck,” while supporting clients through significant life transitions and growth.
- Utilizing mindful self-compassion approaches to build resilience, improve self-esteem, and foster a compassionate relationship with oneself.
Professional Experience:
Allison brings over eight years of dedicated experience to her role as an Associate Clinician, with a strong foundation in adult mental health. She began her career by providing critical crisis intervention at Family Services Ottawa (FSO) and Youth Services Bureau (YSB) as a psychotherapist, where she honed her ability to offer immediate, effective care in high-pressure situations. Throughout her career, Allison has worked in both community and private settings, offering a blend of short-term and long-term support tailored to the unique needs of each individual and family she works with.
Her experiences at FSO and YSB have provided her with a deep understanding of the complex challenges individuals and families face, from navigating trauma and crisis to addressing mental health and relationship issues. Allison’s empathetic and client-centered approach is rooted in this background, allowing her to provide compassionate and effective care. She combines her extensive clinical experience with a strong commitment to fostering resilience, self-compassion, and personal growth, empowering her clients to make lasting, positive changes in their lives.
Education & Training:
Allison holds an Honours BA with a Specialization in Psychology and a Master of Education with a Concentration in Counselling Psychology, both from the University of Ottawa. Her extensive training in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, trauma-informed approaches, substance-use issues, Indigenous cultural safety, suicide intervention, and ADHD treatment reflects her commitment to providing comprehensive and empathetic care.
With her broad skill set and specialized knowledge, Allison is well-equipped to support clients through a range of challenges, from trauma and substance use to cultural sensitivity and crisis intervention. Her dedication to ongoing education ensures that she brings the most current and effective strategies to her practice, helping clients navigate their difficulties with confidence and resilience.
Clinical Supervision:
For professional development, Allison is currently receiving ongoing external supervision and participating in peer group consultations.
