Alison Burgess

Clinical Director
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Values AF Coach and Corporate Trainer

Are you ready to determine if we’re a good fit for your counseling or coaching needs?

I offer a free 15-minute consultation for new counseling clients in Colorado, Florida, and Tennessee. We’ll talk briefly about what’s bringing you in, what you’re hoping for, and whether working together feels right to you.

Meet Alison

Alison Burgess is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Clinical Director who works with individuals, couples, and families to create healthier relationships, recover from trauma, and build more fulfilling lives. With over 16 years of combined experience as both a therapist and a personal trainer, Alison brings a unique and deep understanding of the connection between the mind and body, and how the relationships we build across the lifespan shape who we are and how we function.

Alison specializes in eating disorders, body image concerns, unresolved childhood trauma, religious trauma, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and relationship issues—including recovery from past relationships. Her counseling style is solution-focused, meaning she helps clients both process their experiences and take actionable steps toward lasting change. She wants her clients to rediscover their voice, strength, and power and feel better than ever before.

Alison holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the University of Florida. She is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Tennessee, Colorado, and Florida, and provides therapy exclusively online, expanding access for clients in those states.

Her professional path has included counseling across diverse settings, from private practice to treatment centers focused on eating disorders and trauma recovery. She has guided individuals and families through complex emotional challenges and taken on leadership roles in clinical programming and supervision. Alison’s earlier work as a personal trainer gave her unique insight into how physical health, emotional well-being, and identity intersect—an understanding that continues to shape her therapeutic perspective today.

Alison’s counseling philosophy is grounded in trauma-informed, relational, and identity-affirming care. She believes therapy should not only reduce symptoms but also empower people to build a life of authenticity, resilience, and fulfillment.

Common concerns Alison works with include:

Therapy with Alison is grounded in trauma-informed, relational, and identity-affirming care. She supports individuals, couples, and families—in whatever form they may take—through a wide range of life experiences and challenges.

If you are wondering whether Alison can help with something not listed here, the answer may still be yes. Therapists continue their education throughout their careers, and Alison is committed to learning and growing to best support the people she works with. You don’t have to name your experience perfectly to be met with care and compassion.

Relationships & Connection

  • Relationship counseling (including LGBTQ+ partnerships)

  • Divorce recovery and healing after relational harm

  • Trauma bonding and unhealthy relationship patterns

  • Caretaker burnout and family role strain

Eating Disorders & Body Image

  • Eating disorders across the full spectrum

  • Food, weight, and general body image concerns

  • Emotional eating and self-esteem struggles

Emotional & Mental Health

  • Anxiety and stress management

  • Depression and mood-related concerns

  • ADHD and attention-related challenges

Trauma & Grief

  • Abuse recovery across relationships and systems

  • Religious trauma and spiritual harm

  • Grief counseling, including pet grief

  • Healing from past experiences that continue to impact daily life

Work & Career

  • Career stress, workplace relationships, and performance barriers

  • Navigating change and work–life integration

Alison offers a highly personalized approach, tailoring therapy to each client’s individual needs. Together, she helps people find the solutions that pave the way toward healing and the life they want to create.

Education & Training

Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

 Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles
Focused on counseling practice with an emphasis on trauma, relationships, and identity-affirming care. Gained clinical training through coursework, supervision, and applied experience to prepare for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Bachelor of Arts in Criminology

University of Florida
Studied the intersections of human behavior, law, and society, building a foundation in understanding systems and their impact on individuals and families.

State LicenSure & Certifications

  • Colorado: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #0001711

  • Florida: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #3599

  • Tennessee: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist #2122

  • Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy (EDIT™) Certified I — Eating Disorder Treatment Clinician

  • EMDRIA Approved EMDR Therapist

Payment Options

Services billed via Alison Dickson Counseling

Private Pay

  • Sessions are approximately 50 minutes

  • Individual Counseling: $160 per session

  • Couples or Family Counseling: $195 per session

  • All major credit cards, debit cards, and HSA are accepted.

Insurance

Alison accepts limited insurance in Colorado only. Please reach out directly for details about current availability and plans accepted.

Out-of-Network Benefits

For clients in Florida and Tennessee, Alison is an out-of-network provider. Services may be reimbursable by your insurance plan, but coverage varies. Please check with your insurance provider before scheduling if you would like to pursue reimbursement.

Cancellation Policy

If you do not attend your scheduled appointment and have not notified Alison at least 24 hours in advance, you will be responsible for the full cost of the session.

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