Today we’d like to introduce you to Alli Christie Disney.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My mission, from a young age, has been to help women find relief from stuck emotional/psychological pain. When I was 15, I worked as a dishwasher at a summer camp. I was paired with a roommate named Sharon who in today’s clinical terms would be diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).
I, of course, had no idea what that was but knew that Sharon had been through more crap than anyone I had ever met, and I wanted to help her find relief. I remember one day asking her what would help, and she said, “I don’t know, but I like it when you ask me questions. It helps me sort through things.”
Without knowing it, we were tapping into the power of a therapeutic relationship. We were both 15 and I had zero training, so we were not doing actual therapy, but the essentials of showing up with genuine care (and no judgment!), exploring together, and holding the space for whatever is needed are foundational tools I still exercise in my practice today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In some ways it has been smooth – I have had a very clear direction (calling?) ever since that season at summer camp. I am tremendously thankful for that direction. I know it’s unusual! I am deeply grateful to have a career where I get to witness people’s lives change on a core healing level. Is there anything better?
In other ways, it has been a challenge. As a therapist who focuses on trauma, it was a steep learning curve to ‘grow a big container’ – meaning, I had to develop the inside and outside ability to hear about some of the worst imaginable things that have happened to people and not only not be overwhelmed, but to also still show up with presence, strength, empathy, and hope.
But several years in, I am blown away by the resilience I and my clients get to experience and witness every day! It’s pretty powerful to see the healing and capacity in people as they overcome whatever it is that is keeping them stuck – whether it’s a painful belief or sensation, disturbing memories, or upsetting emotions.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Alli Christie Counseling?
For sure! I help high-achieving women who struggle with anxiety attacks and panic spirals get back to making their impact. I offer IFS EMDR therapy intensives (3-6 hrs/day, for 1-5 consecutive days) for people wanting to work through a larger chunk of material all at once. What this means is that rather than spending weeks, months, or years to process trauma material in a standard way, you can find relief from stuck trauma in a matter of days. It’s amazing!
I had a client who liked to call it ‘voodoo magic’. It does seem pretty magical when at 9 am an event from the past feels like a 10 out of 10 upsetting, and then in a couple hours that same event feels like no big deal anymore. I wrote an article that explains more about Intensives and what they are like/how they help if you want to check that out on my website!
Many clients and even therapists don’t know that most people don’t require long breaks between processing sessions. In fact, most people can clear out more material in less time and feel better faster when they do extended sessions or full days. This method also helps people not have to wrap up mid-processing (Time’s up!) or have to open and close painful material several times before it’s fully worked through. The options are pretty incredible!
Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Oh! I love this question – Yes! I have lots of ideas. My initial advice is to think through what you are looking to gain from a mentor and what kind of person you’d like to be mentored by. Is this someone who you’d like to learn from their business advice? Are you looking for personal insight and development? Is there a level of growth maturity or experience you’d like them to have? It can be fun and helpful to paint the picture!
Then, start asking your friends and colleagues if they know anyone who might be a good fit. Then reach out and ask to buy them lunch or coffee. If it feels like a good fit, then you can spring the question! The biggest piece of advice I have is to ask – ask your family and friends, ask to take someone to lunch, ask them to be your mentor. A lot of times we keep ourselves stuck by never taking the shot.
For networking, I recommend going through a similar process, but for the kinds of networking relationships you are looking for. Is this to increase your sense of connectedness in the business? Great – then ask your peers to recommend peers. Is it to get referrals and make sales? Then think of who the major stakeholders are in your clientele’s lives and reach out.
As you meet with people, think about what you also can do for them. These mutually beneficial connections make the networking relationship stick – whether that’s a business benefit, friendship connection, or something else. Networking doesn’t have to be torture. Even reaching out to one new person a week makes for MANY new contacts in a year.
Contact Info:
- Website: allichristiecounseling.com
- Instagram: @allichristiecounseling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allichristiecounseling/
