Willow Alldredge

Clinical intern

Willow Alldredge (she/her) is an intern in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Northeastern Illinois University. As a counselor, Willow strives to create a space where clients feel seen and empowered. She aims to meet clients where they are, believing clients are the experts in their own life experiences. Willow approaches clients with curiosity and kindness, supporting their exploration and growth in a non-judgmental environment. She fosters a space with the intention to allow clients to feel understood and heard. She works collaboratively within this space to help clients reach their goals.

Willow is committed to working with people who are marginalized by systems of oppression, LGBTQIA+ folx, and those navigating relational issues, gender identity, anxiety, depression, neurodiversity, and trauma. As a trans woman, Willow’s work with queer clients and gender exploration is partially shaped by her own experiences and by volunteer support to trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people in crisis. Willow also brings her experience as an Air Force veteran to understand the many journeys people travel in their lives.

The foundations of Willow’s approach to therapy are person-centered, multicultural and feminist. As a person-centered therapist, she provides clients unconditional positive regard, meeting them where they are in their journey, encouraging and trusting them in their growth and healing. Although she believes most of the tools for growth lie within the clients themselves, she understands that socioeconomic factors, discrimination, minority stress and patriarchal systems all affect client mental health. Feminist and multicultural therapy principles guide her practice in that she is open, collaborative and transparent and recognizes that culture and intersectionality are necessary components of understanding each client’s story and treatment. Willow is LGBTQIA+, kink, and poly/ENM affirming.

In her spare time, Willow loves spending free time enjoying Chicago’s waterfront with her partner, reading, cross-country road trips, expanding her vinyl collection, and when weather permits, chasing tennis balls around a court.

You can reach Willow via email at willow@headhearttherapy.com