Allison Needham, MA, LMFT
Expressive Arts Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Educator, and owner of Marigold Therapy
Hi there,
I support people who are “different” themselves. Some try to hide their “difference” to make others comfortable, others have stopped communicating their wants and needs. They’re trying to relearn self-expression because how they are communicating isn’t working for them. Not feeling heard they minimize what they want out of life or what they can achieve. Having my own experience with this (which is going to be different from your experiences,) I know the value of stepping fully into who you are.
If you suspect you are hiding or have minimized what you want out of life, or feel like you are not heard despite repeated attempts, you’re my people.
My name is Allison. I don’t think I could survive without my to-do lists (note multiple lists) to keep me on track. My two labradors are only a little obsessed with tennis balls and I’m pretty proud that I grew a heirloom French pumpkin that weighed 25 pounds! I don’t always have my shit together, despite my to-do lists, but I usually know how to get back on track. I’m a playful, fun loving, creative, yet shy person who learned early on that being “different” (having dyslexia and ADD) can be frustrating, exhausting, and down right painful. Then, through my own therapy and creative practices, I learned how to embrace the “difference” of me and be myself.
I believe creative expression can empower people by building self-esteem, can heal by giving us a voice to our painful experiences, and educate by helping us remember who we are and who we want to be.
It’s also a way to have fun and play!
End of a Journey movement based expression
Each person has an innate capacity to reach toward their full potential. In today’s world it is a rare experience to feel accepted when you are feeling fear, rage, grief, or jealousy. Yet it is this acceptance and understanding that heals. Empathy and acceptance give a person an opportunity to empower themselves and discover their unique potential.
— Natalie Rogers
I attended the University of Minnesota and received my Bachelors of Arts degree in ceramics and sculpture. I received my Masters of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary’s University and I have completed course work at the Northwest Creative and Expressive Arts Institute to gain additional credentialing as a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT). I value lifelong learning and that is reflected in the many continuing education workshops I have attended ranging from holistic therapeutic approaches (yoga, mindfulness, breathwork, diet, sleep, etc.) to working with specific populations (first responders, LEO’s, youth, neurodiversity, LGBTQ, etc.). to leadership and clinical supervision.
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Minnesota Board- approved MFT clinical supervisor, and a certified Person-Centered Thinking trainer. I am the owner of Marigold Therapy and I am proud to use creative, art based approaches in therapy and with clinical supervisees. I have worked within several Home and Community Based (HCBS) agencies where I have gained incredible experience working with diverse people and diverse families. I have provided leadership and/or clinical supervision for teams, work groups, committees, departments and agency employees for the past 20 years. I’ve lead policy and culture change from a medical model of providing services to a humanistic person-centred approach. I have also volunteered at the Walk-In Counseling Center.
Additionally, I have extensive experience training and presenting to caregiving teams, case managers/social workers, home and community based service agencies, and day program providers in Person-Centered Thinking and practices, informed choice, mental wellness, trauma informed care, and disability rights. I have ran seminars for self-advocates and groups on self-esteem and sexuality. I have also provided team mediation, positive support services, and Person-Centered Planning.
Allison’s Education and Experience
Want to learn more about my experience and work history? Check out my LinkedIn page.
