Alison McCandless , LCSW, CSW

Alison McCandless is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and CSW whose practice draws on experience supporting people facing a wide range of mental health challenges. She spent three years working at a community mental health agency in Chicago, engaging primarily with low-income individuals coping with life stressors, mood and psychotic disorders, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Originally from Southern California, she recently relocated to Denver, CO this summer and is licensed to practice in both Illinois and Colorado.

Alison emphasizes that each person has a story that matters, and she blends skills-building with deeper exploration to help clients make connections and find meaning in their experiences. She integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with psychodynamic perspectives and a strengths-based stance, tailoring her approach to the needs of each individual. In practice she combines coping skill development and behavioral strategies with a thorough biopsychosocial assessment to gauge functioning and symptom patterns.

Known for a nonjudgmental, hopeful stance, Alison works with people navigating stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar and mood disorders, addictions, relationship and family concerns, grief, eating and anger issues, self-esteem and career challenges, and compassion fatigue. She invites those who feel they might be a good fit to begin a collaborative therapy journey together.

Integrated Approaches and Online Therapy with Alison McCandless

Alison integrates evidence-informed methods to meet each person where they are. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning; it is often helpful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for intense emotions, relationship struggles, and coping under pressure. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns in relationships and early bonds to help clients understand how past attachments shape current connections and feelings, often benefiting those dealing with abandonment, attachment issues, or relational difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Alison works collaboratively with clients to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She blends techniques as appropriate and revises the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexibility for how sessions take place, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life transitions, and access licensed professionals from different locations while still receiving structured therapeutic support.