SOUTH HILLS, PA · TELEHEALTH STATEWIDE
Allison Bare, MSW, LSW
“No two people experience the world in exactly the same way. Therapy should reflect that.”
Allison Bare is a Licensed Social Worker at CPA Counseling’s Altoona office, also seeing clients by secure telehealth across Pennsylvania. She works with adolescents from age ten, adults, and couples on ADHD, autism, anxiety, grief, addiction, trauma, and relationship difficulty. Gottman trained for couples work and holding an ASD certificate, her approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and trauma-informed.
WHO ALLISON WORKS WITH
Who she’s for
Allison works with individuals from age ten upward — adolescents, young adults, adults, and seniors — plus couples, families, and veterans. Background across school counseling, medical social work, and outpatient mental health.
why work with Allison
Understanding first, then the strategy
Allison’s stated belief is that meaningful change begins with self-understanding, and that therapy is about more than managing symptoms. That is a real methodological position rather than a nice sentiment — it means time spent on the why before the what to do about it.
HOW ALLISON WORKS
Eleven approaches, chosen for you
No two people experience the world the same way, so Allison does not run the same sequence on everyone. The approach is selected for the person in front of her.
CONDITIONS TREATED
What Allison treats – who Allison sees
- ADHD
- Autism
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Marriage & Couples
- Family Issues
- Addiction
- Life Transitions
- Grief & Loss
- Women’s Mental Health
- LGBTQ+
- School / Academic
- Workplace Stress
- Chronic Pain
- Self-Esteem
- Anger Management
For ADHD and autism
Neurodivergent-affirming care — with an ASD certificate behind it
“Therapy should reflect the fact that no two people experience the world in exactly the same way.”
CARE PHILOSOPHY
More than symptoms. Understanding first.
Allison’s central conviction is that meaningful change begins with self-understanding, and that therapy is about more than managing symptoms. That shapes the sequence of the work — time goes into why you think, feel, and behave as you do before it goes into what to do about it, because strategies built on the wrong explanation tend not to hold.
Her approach is collaborative, strengths-based, and trauma-informed. She recognizes that no two people experience the world in exactly the same way and thinks therapy should reflect that individuality rather than flattening it. In practice that means the plan is built around how you actually operate.
The style is supportive, genuine, and straightforward. The room is one where you can explore difficult emotions and challenge unhelpful patterns without fear of judgment — and the goal is greater self-acceptance, resilience, and independence rather than compliance with somebody else’s idea of better.
ABOUT ALLISON
A life that feels authentic to you
Allison Bare, LSW, is a licensed social worker who works with adolescents, adults, and couples navigating life’s challenges. With experience in school-based counseling, medical social work, and outpatient mental health, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her work.
Her areas of focus include ADHD, autism, anxiety, grief, addiction, relationship difficulties, and personal growth. She is especially passionate about helping people better understand themselves, recognize their strengths, and develop strategies that work for their own particular needs.
Allison takes a collaborative, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach, incorporating techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and somatic work. She is trained in the Gottman Method for couples therapy and holds an ASD certificate. Her style is supportive, genuine, and straightforward, creating an environment where clients can explore difficult emotions and challenge unhelpful patterns without fear of judgment.
Above all, she believes meaningful change begins with self-understanding and that therapy is about more than simply managing symptoms. Whether someone is navigating a major transition, struggling in relationships, or working toward a stronger sense of identity, her goal is a space where clients feel heard, understood, and able to build a life that feels authentic to them. She holds an MSW from Penn West University and sees clients at the Altoona office and by telehealth across Pennsylvania.
Years in Practice
Altoona & Telehealth
ADHD & Autism
ASD certificate & Gottman trained
Personalized Care Plans
No program commitments required
TELEHEALTH — PENNSYLVANIA STATEWIDE
A therapy session you can add to any schedule
All CPA Counseling therapists offer HIPAA-compliant video sessions. Whether you’re across town or across the state, you get the same quality of care from home or any private space.
Telehealth is not a second-tier option — it is clinically equivalent to in-person therapy for most presenting concerns. Your therapist will advise based on your situation.
- Available to any Pennsylvania resident
- Works on any phone, tablet, or computer
- HIPAA-compliant — fully private and secure
- Evening and weekend scheduling available
- Mix in-person and virtual as needed
- Most insurance plans accepted for telehealth
CONDITION GUIDE
Therapy guides from Allison Bare
Mental Health
What Taylor Swift Teaches Us About Parasocial Connection
Why millions feel they truly know someone they’ve never met — the psychology of parasocial connection, when it’s comforting, and when it’s telling you something.
Anxiety
When Anxiety Starts Making the Rules
Anxiety rarely announces itself as anxiety — it arrives as good judgment, feeling like being careful, responsible, or thinking ahead, and by the time you notice, it may have been making your decisions for years. OCD is mostly internal: intrusive thoughts, mental checking, rumination, reassurance-seeking. Both respond well to treatment.
Information
CPA Counseling Accessibility Statement
Our commitment to an accessible website — WCAG 2.1 AA, keyboard operability, high contrast — and a direct contact if you encounter any barrier.