Allison Wallace, LCSW

04/07/2026

💬 Moms, let’s chat! 💬
Join us every Wednesday for PSI Chat with an Expert for Moms! 🌸

Connect with other moms and speak privately with a PSI expert about:
🧠 Perinatal mental health symptoms
📚 Resources and options
🤔 General questions about mental health in pregnancy and postpartum

No need to pre-register or share your name; these sessions are informational, confidential, and facilitated by licensed mental health professionals.

🔗 Get the info to join from the privacy of your own phone: https://loom.ly/Z6a-eyo

04/04/2026

Why Play Therapy Doesn’t Look Like Traditional Therapy

When adults go to therapy, they sit, talk, and reflect.

Play therapy looks different—and that’s intentional.

Children are still developing:
• language
• emotional awareness
• the ability to explain internal experiences

So instead of asking children to adapt to therapy,
play therapy adapts to the child.

In a play therapy setting, you might see:
• toys, art materials, or sand trays
• imaginative play
• movement and expression instead of conversation

But this isn’t random or unstructured.

It’s a carefully designed approach that allows children to:
• express themselves naturally
• build trust and connection
• process experiences in a developmentally appropriate way

Healing doesn’t always happen through talking.

For children, it often happens through play.

04/04/2026

1 in 10 children under age 5 have mental health concerns.

That means babies and toddlers in our communities are struggling before they even know how to explain it.

You don’t have to be a parent to care. Because what happens in the earliest years shapes everything that comes after. How children learn, connect, cope, grow.

Mental health starts early. And when we ignore it, the impact ripples through families, schools and communities.

Believing in babies means taking their mental health seriously from the start.

Learn more. Donate. Help build a world where every baby can thrive: https://bit.ly/4kDZZ2A

04/04/2026

03/19/2026

EMDR therapy is a central part of my work, and I use it with most of my adult clients because of how effective it can be in creating real, lasting change.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based approach that helps your brain process and heal from distressing or overwhelming experiences. When experiences get “stuck,” they can show up as anxiety, depression, negative self-beliefs, or feeling triggered in everyday life. EMDR helps the brain reprocess those experiences so they feel more resolved and less emotionally intense.

Many clients begin to notice shifts once processing begins—such as feeling less reactive, gaining new perspectives, and experiencing a greater sense of calm and clarity. While everyone’s timeline is different, EMDR is designed to move beyond just coping and toward deeper healing.

A big part of my approach is making sure this work feels safe and manageable. EMDR does not have to be overwhelming or scary. We spend time building strong coping skills and ensuring you feel grounded and supported before moving into any deeper processing. You remain in control the entire time, and we go at a pace that feels right for you.

EMDR can be helpful for:
• Trauma and past distressing experiences
• Anxiety and chronic stress
• Depression
• Negative self-worth or core beliefs
• Feeling “stuck” despite insight or previous therapy

If you’ve been curious about EMDR or are looking for a therapy approach that goes deeper than just talking, I’d love to help you explore if it’s a good fit.

Allison Wallace, LCSW RPT
Sager Creek Counseling Collective
📞 Call: (405)-355-8087
🌐 Visit: www.sagercreekcounselingcollective.org

03/18/2026

Self-control is one of the most important skills children can develop before starting school. It helps kids pause, think, and make good choices even when emotions are big. Whether it’s waiting their turn, listening to instructions, or staying focused on a task, self-control lays the foundation for success in the classroom.

Children who practice self-control often have an easier time building friendships, solving problems, and managing challenges at school. The good news is this skill grows with practice! Simple activities like playing turn taking games, following routines, or talking through feelings can help children strengthen their self-control every day.

🌟 Tip for families: Try games like “Red Light, Green Light,” “Simon Says,” or setting small goals that encourage patience and focus. Learning to pause and think today helps children thrive tomorrow!

03/18/2026

Postpartum anxiety doesn’t always look like worry.

Sometimes it looks like rage.

Many parents experience sudden bursts of anger, followed by guilt or shame, but these reactions can be linked to a nervous system stuck in survival mode.

In this new blog, psychologist Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, PMH-C explains why postpartum rage happens and shares practical ways to regulate your nervous system and find support.

Anger doesn't mean you're failing. It likely means you need support.

🔗 Read the full blog: https://loom.ly/2cW_WBE

02/27/2026

Some losses are visible. Some are quiet. All of them matter 💙

If you are navigating pregnancy or infant loss, fertility challenges, TFMR, pregnancy after loss, or parenting after loss, you do not have to carry it alone.

We offer specialized Loss & Grief Online Peer Support Groups for parents at many different points in their journey. Every group is:
✨ Virtual
✨ Always free
✨ Confidential
✨ Led by trained facilitators
✨ A space where your story is honored

Whether your loss was recent or years ago, whether you feel raw or numb or somewhere in between, there is a community that understands.

You deserve support that meets you exactly where you are.

💙 Find a group and register at https://loom.ly/3NQNbvg

02/27/2026

I’m pleased to share that I have completed specialized training in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) through Postpartum Support International.

This training focused on the identification, assessment, and treatment of mental health concerns that can occur during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. PMADs can include postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorders, birth-related trauma, and the emotional challenges that come with adjustment to parenthood. These experiences are common, impactful, and highly treatable with the right support.

In my practice, I integrate this training with EMDR to help process distressing or traumatic experiences related to pregnancy, birth, or the transition into parenthood, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support clients in reconnecting with their values, increasing psychological flexibility, and navigating this season with greater self-compassion and resilience.

The transition to parenthood is not only a physical experience, but also a profound emotional and identity shift. Having specialized, evidence-based care can make a meaningful difference for individuals and families during this time.

If you or someone you know is struggling during pregnancy or postpartum, you are not alone. Support is available, and healing is possible. Feel free to reach out to learn more about services or resources.

📞 Call or text: (405)-355-8087
🌐 Visit: www.sagercreekcounselingcollective.org

02/19/2026

02/13/2026

One of the most powerful shifts I help parents make is understanding this:

Before we teach the child, we must practice the skills ourselves.

The focus isn’t just on correcting behavior — it’s on building connection, safety, and self-regulation. And that begins with us as adults.

When we pause before reacting…
When we regulate our own emotions…
When we respond instead of react…

We are modeling the exact skills we hope our children will develop.

Children learn emotional regulation, problem-solving, and resilience not from lectures — but from watching how we handle frustration, disappointment, and conflict.

The “Adult First” approach means:
• Practicing calming strategies ourselves
• Noticing our triggers
• Repairing when we make mistakes
• Leading with connection before correction

This isn’t about being a perfect parent. It’s about being a growing one.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in power struggles or overwhelmed by big behaviors, you’re not alone. The good news? The change starts with small, intentional shifts — and support makes a difference.

If you're ready to strengthen your skills so you can confidently guide your child, I’d love to help.

How are you putting the Power of Unity into practice?

02/10/2026

It’s International Play Therapy Week 🎨🧸
I’m proud to share that I am a Registered Play Therapist, a credential that reflects specialized training in using play as a powerful, evidence-based way to help children express, process, and heal.
Play is a child’s natural language—and it’s an honor to support kids and families through this meaningful work. 💙

Allison P. Wallace, MSW, LCSW, RPT, Siloam Springs, AR