SETH ALLISON, MA, LCPC

About Seth

Two years later, Seth entered into full-time practice with Arbor Clinical Associates, where he continued working with families and began deepening his understanding of effective therapy with adults and couples. Seth founded Alcorn & Allison Clinical Associates, LLC in October of 2006 with his good friend and colleague Dr. Chad Alcorn, Psy.D. He went on to develop expertise in several therapeutic modalities including Emotion Focused Therapy for couples, Attachment-Based Psychotherapy for adults, and longer term, psychodynamic work, driven by the relationship between client and therapist. In 2021, having recognized a personal coalescence around mutuality, co-regulation, and relational strategies, Seth co-founded Grow. He is now engaged in the building of a community dedicated to the practice and implementation of “Interpersonal Solutions” at all levels of human experience. Outside of the office, Seth enjoys writing, playing, and listening to music. He has founded an original indie-folk band, recorded several albums, and performed around Chicago for more than a decade. An unabashed Dead Head, you will probably find him at most Grateful Dead related shows adorned in hippie garb and dancing as if his reputation is not at stake.

Seth's approach to therapy

Heavily influenced by Carl Jung, John Bowlby, Susan Johnson, Dick Schwartz, and many other giants of the field, Seth has developed a process of attachment-based psychotherapy that is rooted in moment to moment attunement to the space between therapist and client. This often looks like a careful kind of listening to both self and others’ internal experience, even as higher levels of processing are taking place. “The uniqueness of my work involves the tracking of multiple levels of experience while “being” in the room with my clients. While we co-construct a narrative about struggles, origins, and potential solutions, I like to slow down and incorporate the data from our nervous systems as we talk. It has been my experience that the connection between head and heart, explored in the context of a safe relationship, is the driver of growth and change. 

Additional info

In addition, I would like to provide some external links to the theories and techniques that have been most influential in my personal and professional development:

Emotion Focused Couples Therapy: I first saw Sue Johnson speak in 2008. Since then, I have been immersed in the theory and practice of EFT, attending numerous advanced trainings. Read more here >

Self-Psychology/Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy: My most formative professional experience was participating in a 2 year certificate program at the center for Religion and Psychotherapy in Chicago. Read more here >

Internal Family Systems Therapy: IFS is an intensely practical approach to doing very deep emotional work. Read more here >

Attachment Based Psychotherapy: Working forward from John Bowlby, Attachment Theory has become an invaluable tool in conceptualizing human relationships and their role in regulating our experience. Read more here >