Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Scott.
Hi Allison, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been a social worker for nearly a decade, and the path to owning my own practice has been both intentional and deeply meaningful. I started with the value that education is the only non-violent way to change the world, so wanted to begin my work in higher education. I began my career in nonprofit work, facilitating educational presentations on sexual assault prevention at local community college campuses. From there, I joined the University of Texas at Arlington’s Crime Victim Services department as their first advocate, where I helped develop a program that continues to support the UTA community today.
I later worked at the UNT Dallas Counseling & Wellness Center as both a therapist and Assistant Director. I loved this campus community, the only public university within the city limits of Dallas, located in South Dallas and deeply rooted in the surrounding community. As a multicultural-serving institution, UNT Dallas is committed to supporting a diverse student population, and that environment shaped so much of my clinical perspective and approach to care. During my time there, I had the opportunity to work with students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, which deepened my understanding of culturally responsive and accessible mental health support. It was also during this time that I realized the most fulfilling part of my work was the one-on-one therapeutic relationships I built with students. That clarity ultimately led me to establish Adulting Counseling & Consulting, PLLC in 2023.
As my practice evolved, I made the decision to transition from a partnership model to owning the business independently. It was a thoughtful and collaborative process, grounded in mutual respect and shared understanding. I continue to have a great deal of appreciation for the work my business partner and I built together. Ultimately, this shift is allowing both of us to serve our clients and the communities close to our hearts.
Owning a practice while engaging in the meaningful, complex work of therapy has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. At Adulting Counseling & Consulting, I focus on creating a space that feels supportive, collaborative, and grounded in real-life application. My work centers on helping emerging adults navigate major life transitions, while also addressing anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. I take an individualized approach to therapy, integrating person-centered, strengths-based, and evidence-based modalities to help clients build self-trust, develop sustainable coping skills, and feel more confident in navigating adulthood. My goal is to take adulting to something you survive, to a time you thrive!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think it’s important to be honest about that. Social work is incredibly meaningful, but it also comes with a significant emotional toll. Sitting with people in their most vulnerable moments, holding space for trauma, grief, and pain day after day, it adds up. Vicarious trauma is very real in this field, and without intention, it can quietly impact how you move through both your work and your personal life. There’s a reason burnout rates are so high among social workers and therapists, which is why prioritizing self-care isn’t optional, it’s essential for sustainability and longevity in this work.
On top of that, building a business has been its own challenge. As therapists, we’re extensively trained in how to support others, but rarely in how to run or grow a business. Learning to think like an entrepreneur, like planning for the future, managing finances, marketing, and making strategic decisions, has required a completely different skill set. Much of what I know about business ownership has been self-taught or learned through the generosity and support of colleagues who have navigated this path before me. It’s been a steep learning curve, but also one that’s pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Adulting Counseling & Consulting, PLLC was created to meet people in one of the most overwhelming and often unsupported phases of life: emerging adulthood. My practice is centered on helping clients navigate major life transitions with more clarity, self-trust, and emotional stability. This includes working through anxiety, depression, identity development, relationship challenges, and disordered eating, all through a lens that acknowledges how complex and nonlinear this stage of life can be.
What sets my practice apart is the balance between depth and practicality. Therapy with me is not just about insight, it is about integration. I use a blend of person-centered, strengths-based, and evidence-based approaches, including CBT, DBT, and EMDR, to help clients both understand themselves and build tangible skills they can use in their daily lives. My goal is for clients to leave sessions not only feeling heard, but also more equipped to navigate whatever they are facing.
I am also intentional about creating a space that feels modern, relatable, and grounded in real-life experiences. The concept of “adulting” can feel overwhelming or even isolating, and my brand is designed to normalize that experience while offering support that feels approachable and applicable. I am most proud of building a practice that feels aligned with who I am as a clinician, authentic, compassionate, and direct, while also being a space where clients feel safe to show up fully as themselves.
I offer both in-person and virtual therapy, with a physical office located in East Dallas. This flexibility allows me to meet clients where they are, whether they prefer the consistency of in-person sessions or the convenience of telehealth, while maintaining the same level of connection and quality of care. I take a few insurances plans and offer private pay sessions along with sliding scale spots to make sure if people want the help, I can help them access it.
Beyond individual therapy, my work is rooted in the belief that mental health care should be relevant and adaptable. Whether someone is navigating a major transition, struggling with their relationship with food or their body, or simply trying to feel more grounded in their day-to-day life, my practice is designed to support them in a way that feels both meaningful and sustainable.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most meaningful lesson I’ve learned, both as a therapist and as a business owner, is that no one really has it all figured out. We are all navigating uncertainty in our own ways. There is a certain freedom in recognizing that, because it allows you to step away from constantly questioning what you “should” do or what is expected of you. When you begin making decisions grounded in your own values instead, you create space for greater self-compassion and a more flexible, growth-oriented mindset. That shift has been foundational for me, both personally and professionally.
Pricing:
- Sessions are $160 private pay
- I take United Health Care Insurance and Aetna insurance plans
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/allison-scott-dallas-tx/1049164?msockid=1d99bccd48c760bc1bd4af3f496661d9
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adultingcounseling/
Image Credits
Images taken by Boy Howdy Co. https://www.boyhowdyco.com/, Dani Holway
