My Background

Degrees and License

California Marriage and Family Therapist, License #LMFT44789

I earned my M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2002. I have been practicing psychotherapy under supervision and then in private practice since 2000. Celena Allison

In August 2018, I earned my Ph.D. at Pacifica in Depth Psychology with a specialization in Jungian and Archetypal Studies. My B.A. was earned in Psychology, with Honors, from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) in 1980.

Advanced Training and Certification

—Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Internal Family Systems (IFS) Certified Therapist (2023-present)
Serve on the IFS training staff as a Level 1 Program Assistant (PA) (2022-present)
IFS Level 2-Addictions & Eating Disorders (2022)
IFS Level 2-Shame, Anxiety, & Depression (2021)
Advanced Intimacy from the Inside Out (IFIO) (focus on couples work with IFS foundation) (2021)
IFS Level 3 (2020)
IFS Level 2-IFIO (2019)
IFS Level 1 (2018-2019)
6-day IFS Retreat with Richard Schwartz, who developed the IFS model (2017)

—Additional Areas of Interest and Advanced Study

In 2010, I completed the three-year BodySoul Rhythms® Leadership Training Program offered by the Marion Woodman Foundation
Training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Focusing training: Levels One, Two & Three (2010-2013)
Year-long training program in Psychodrama
Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate (2022) from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies via eCornell (Cornell University’s online learning platform)

More About Me

Beginning in 1980 and until early 2008, I worked in progressively more responsible leadership positions in Human Resources at UCSC. This experience has provided me a unique perspective about a variety of work and career situations affecting a richly diverse population. From my own experience of changing careers at midlife and pursuing my passion for depth psychology and IFS, I have engaged in a life process of healing trauma that has been challenging to say the least, yet meaningful and enriching.

I am grateful for the challenges I have faced in my life (which I expect will continue to be a life-long endeavor!) and I am truly enthusiastic to be in a position where I can support others as they traverse the path of their life process.