Karleena Tillottson, LMSW, CAADC, Therapist at Allow Therapy Partners

Karleena Tillottson, LMSW, CAADC (she/her)

I am driven by the belief that every individual is inherently valuable. My role as a clinical mental health therapist is to provide a space where clients can explore and uncover their unique paths to enhanced mental well-being. I aim to help them recognize and embrace their worth. My goal is to offer my support, celebrate their progress, and empower them to thrive independently.

I often tell people that I am allergic to being told what to do, which is why I deeply respect others' autonomy. I request feedback to tailor sessions and coping strategies to fit your lifestyle, maximizing your ease and comfort. With a wealth of therapeutic tools and lived experiences, I assist in managing lives affected by anxiety, depression, addiction, codependency, abuse, and trauma.

With me, clients collaboratively investigate current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may not be helpful to self-esteem, relationships, or employment. I use EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients become curious about parts of themselves that developed for survival in painful situations. After reviewing patient history and developing a list of targets, we work on desensitizing and adaptively reprocessing misperceptions of self. EMDR can also be used to desensitize cravings, urges, and thoughts related to substance use, compulsive behavior, and chronic pain. Mindfulness, CBT, and DBT skills are employed to increase self-awareness, restructure thoughts, and enhance distress tolerance. I am known for giving special care to those with intensely emotional sessions, often scheduling at the end of the day to offer extra time for grounding and returning to calm.

Often, concepts of self and body, ways of coping with intense emotions, and relationships at home and work improve, while anxiety, depression, and substance use or compulsive behaviors decrease. By discovering and developing more positive ways of perceiving self and others, and practicing alternate ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, peace and serenity can be experienced—sometimes for the first time.

    • Anxiety

    • Depression

    • PTSD / Trauma

    • Substance Use / Addiction

    • Codependency

    • Relational Conflict

    • LGBTQ concerns

    • Domestic Violence

    • Chronic Pain

    • EMDR

    • IFS

    • CBT

    • DBT

    • Narrative Therapy

    • Solution Focused Therapy

    • Mindfulness

  • BCBS, BCN, PH, Aetna, United/Optum, ASR, Molina, Meridian, Medicaid, and most Managed Medicaid plans

  • My experience includes working with individuals who have faced depression, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, childhood and adult trauma, relational and marital conflict, domestic violence, PTSD, chronic pain, LGBTQ+ (Trans) issues, and substance use.

    I have direct care experience with inpatient mental health, senior citizens, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and adolescent boys at a group home for delinquency issues.

    I am a Licensed Masters of Social Work (LMSW) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). I completed my undergraduate degree at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and my Master’s of Social Work (Clinical Focus) at Grand Valley State University.

    I have had Addictions EMDR training with Susan Brown, EMDR for Attachment Focus training with Laurel Parnell, and Level 1 & 2 EMDR + IFS training with Dr. Kendhal Hart, LPC-S (EMDRIA approved).

    I have been practicing since 2021 after an internship at the DETOX Unit/Pine Rest Retreat Clinic. I value community support groups such as AA, NA, Celebrate Recovery, and Buddhist/Refuge Recovery.

    I have lived experience with trauma, addictions, divorce, single parenting, and LGBTQ populations. I value all who subscribe to or don’t subscribe to faith or religious traditions

Email: Karleena@allowtherapy.com

Email Karleena