Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Marek.
Allison, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a 6th generation Texan and a native Houstonian (ok fine, I grew up in Bellaire but still…). Some of my best childhood memories were made taking musical theatre classes at Theatre Under the Stars, waiting in the wings at the Wortham Theatre, and as a student at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Theatre was my passion and my joy; but, it was a completed relationship; as theatre was the one thing I used to get love and affirmation. It was my complete identity.
My junior year of high school, I spent a summer volunteering at Texas Children’s Hospital. While playing with a child in the cancer center, I had this vivid moment where I was like “Oh no… I like THIS more than I like theatre.” The thing is, I didn’t know what “this” was. I immediately jumped to “What am I gonna do? I don’t want to disappoint people. Who am I without this?” So, I kept this questioning to myself, graduated from HSPVA, and started the BFA Musical Theatre program at Boston Conservatory of Music.
About a year and a half into the program, all of the pressure I put on myself and all of the pushing down of my questions about what my true passion was manifested itself into a full-blown eating disorder. It was the fall of 2005 when Hurricane Katrina ravaged through New Orleans. I remember sitting in my apartment in Boston, watching the news coverage of people arriving by the busload to the Astrodome, and thought to myself, “I would rather be at home at the Astrodome helping than in ballet class right now.” That’s the moment when everything became clear. I called my mom and told her everything. I came home and transferred to the University of Houston, where I initially majored in education. Then, when I was interning at Teach for America, I realized that what interested me even more than how to be an effective teacher was how to help children address the traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression that were such huge barriers to learning. So, I changed my major to psychology, and after some influence from shame and vulnerability expert Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW. I decided to earn my Masters in Social Work. It was the ideal degree for me; bringing together the individual person and their environment, the micro and the macro, and education on how to be both a therapist and leader.
While in graduate school at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, I worked at the United Way of Greater Houston and interned at Harris County Child Protective Services and The Center for Success and Independence. I also completed a practicum at a community mental health center that utilized equine-assisted psychotherapy to treat adults with chronic, severe mental illnesses. That practicum led to my first job as a therapist; and I have also worked in residential and transitional care for young adult women who have experienced trauma and attachment issues. Before going into private practice, I was the opening program director at an eating disorder treatment center and served the program’s clients and team for over four years.
I had a big full-circle moment in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey ravaged through my beloved city. I worked with Angela Blanchard to lead mental health first aid efforts in the BakerRipley shelter at NRG Center. In tamer weather, I volunteer with Pride Houston and Woman Within International. I am also a member of Houston Eating Disorders Specialists, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Association for Size Diversity and Health.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of my biggest challenges was the pressure I put on myself to have it all figured out. Know what your values are and what you care about, even if it is generally defined. I promise, if you seek opportunities that are aligned with your values and passions, each opportunity will prepare you for the next.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m a psychotherapist, speaker, and consultant. I specialize in working with adolescents and adults with people with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and trauma. People are at their best when they feel connection and belonging; and therapy is no exception. This is why my work, regardless of the specific approach, is rooted in truly, deeply seeing people and understanding them with compassion.
I am certified in Brene Brown’s Daring Way method, and use the approach to help clients, helping professionals, and teams move from perfectionism, comparison, and shame to resilience, authenticity, and living with their whole hearts. I am also trained in Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and was one of the first practitioners to use Equine Assisted Psychotherapy to facilitate Dr. Brown’s work. Additionally, I have completed training in EMDR, an evidence-based treatment for trauma. I am also a Health At Every Size™ practitioner.
Healing, growing, and changing takes fortitude and grit; and every person who says “yes” to that call for courage deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
People often ask me how theatre relates to the work I do today. Theatre taught me empathy. Theatre taught me the power of the story. Theatre taught me how to see the nature of love and the yearning for connection and acceptance even in the deepest, darkest places.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8901 Gaylord Drive
Houston, TX 77024 - Website: www.allisonmarek.com
- Phone: 713-502-7010
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @allisonmarek
- Facebook: @allisonmareklcsw
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