Allison Johanson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and trauma therapist based in Greenwood Village, CO. She specialises in helping individuals—particularly those in the veterinary and healthcare professions—manage the stress, burnout, and emotional toll of their work. As an LCSW, Allison is licensed to provide therapy, helping clients navigate mental health challenges through a range of evidence-based treatments. One of her key therapeutic approaches is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy, which helps individuals heal from trauma or deeply distressing experiences. In EMDR therapy, clients recall traumatic memories while following a therapist’s guided eye movements, which helps the brain reprocess these memories in a way that reduces their emotional impact.

Allison is also a certified HeartMath practitioner, using biofeedback techniques that help clients regulate their heart rhythms and emotional responses. By teaching clients to sync their breathing and focus, HeartMath helps people reduce stress, increase resilience, and manage emotional overwhelm. In her practice, Allison also incorporates Polyvagal Theory, a framework that explores how the nervous system responds to stress and trauma. This theory focuses on the vagus nerve, which plays a critical role in regulating emotional and physical responses to stress. By helping clients understand how their bodies react to trauma, Allison guides them to shift out of survival states and into a place of safety and connection, promoting long-term healing and self-care.

Allison began working with veterinarians about three years ago and has since spoken at the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) conference, including in 2023 and this past July. She has also presented several times to the Power of 10 group in Denver, which supports early-career veterinarians in their leadership and personal development. Over the years, she has participated in webinars and podcasts, sharing her insights on trauma-informed care and mental well-being.

Beyond one-on-one therapy, Allison facilitates a support group for veterinarians, both online and in person. This group offers a safe and supportive environment for veterinarians to process vicarious trauma (the emotional impact of caring for others’ trauma), share their experiences, and learn strategies to manage the unique emotional challenges of their profession. In addition to her clinical work, Allison collaborates with other therapists in Colorado, leading workshops and speaking at professional conferences. She is committed to fostering a broader understanding of trauma-informed care in high-stress professions, encouraging both personal and professional growth in the communities she serves.

Outside of her work as a therapist, speaker, and clinic consultant, Allison and her husband run an annual golf tournament in Colorado called Golf in Honor. The tournament raises funds for Victory Service Dogs, a nonprofit organisation that trains service dogs to help military veterans with their transition to civilian life, particularly those dealing with trauma and PTSD.

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