Allie Fridstein is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Columbus, OH who is passionate about helping clients through major life changes. She loves utilizing strengths-based approaches to help clients cultivate a sense of self-worth rooted in compassion, growth potential, and authenticity. Her clinical approach is person-centered & non-pathologizing, aka not focused on finding a diagnosis but rather on collaboratively problem-solving and making meaning of the challenges life throws at clients.
As Allie loves to remind clients, "You are not 'broken' for having an adverse reaction to change." People tend to feel comfort in predictability and routine, and change (especially when sudden, unexpected, and/or tragic) inherently challenges us to sit with discomfort. Even deliberate and "happy" changes like starting a new career, getting married, journeying through gender transition, or establishing a sober lifestyle can still cause a myriad of complicated emotions as clients adjust to their new lives. And finding meaning in those changes while learning skills to manage the added stress is such a worthwhile endeavor.
With each of her clients, Allie focuses on being a validating, uplifting, affirming, and reassuring presence while also providing proper room to heal deep wounds and learn from past missteps. She prioritizes clients feeling supported, heard, valued, and empowered every session. Clients leave therapy feeling well equipped to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and communicate their needs and boundaries.
Allie has over a decade of experience working at a variety of mental health settings including outpatient community agencies, detention facilities, addiction recovery programs, crisis centers, schools, and hospice care centers.
Allie launched her own private practice, Capybara Counseling, LLC, in July 2022. Her office for in-person sessions is located at 1496 Old Henderson Road in Columbus. For telehealth sessions, Allie uses Zoom as her online platform.
