Hi, I’m Dr. Allison Battles (she/her), a licensed clinical psychologist, trauma specialist, certified therapeutic game master, and dedicated advocate for creative, relational, and socially conscious healing. I specialize in helping people reconnect with their sense of agency and meaning through integrative, evidence-based therapy that draws on storytelling, deep relationships, and the transformative power of play.
With over a decade of experience working in Level 1-A trauma facilities with the Department of Veterans Affairs, I’ve supported people living with complex trauma, serious mental illness, substance use, and moral injury. My work has spanned both individual and group therapy, where I’ve focused on helping people navigate some of life’s deepest wounds with care, connection, and dignity.
My therapeutic style blends relational, psychodynamic, and narrative approaches with creative tools like games, collaborative storytelling, and expressive writing. I believe that healing happens in relationship within ourselves, with one another, and with the communities and cultures we move through. At the heart of my practice is a commitment to justice and liberation: making space for clients to explore identity, power, oppression, and authenticity in ways that feel grounded and empowering.
I received my PhD in Clinical Psychology from the Virginia Consortium Program in 2020 and completed my predoctoral internship and postdoctoral residency at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, with advanced training in trauma recovery, Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy (TLDP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and therapeutically applied role-playing games (TA-RPGs). I’m licensed by the Minnesota Board of Psychology and authorized to provide telehealth services across most U.S. states through PSYPACT, the interjurisdictional compact for psychology.
As a Queer, Pagan woman who grew up in the South, I know the deep impact of feeling unseen or misunderstood. Stories and games were my refuge and inspiration, offering glimpses of possibility and empowerment through characters like Xena: Warrior Princess, Sailor Moon, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Later, I discovered the potential of Dungeons & Dragons as a space for self-exploration, emotional growth, and meaningful connection. Those experiences shaped the foundation of my work today, where I blend clinically grounded care with creativity and imagination to help clients reclaim their stories and discover new ways to grow.
Whether we’re diving into therapy through a traditional or nontraditional lens, I’m here to offer a space that is curious, affirming, and collaborative, where your healing is not only possible, but yours to define.
Professional Certifications & Trainings
- Therapeutic Game Master Certification – Geek Therapeutics, completed November 2024
- Narrative Therapy Level 1 Certification – Caspersen Training Center, completed April 2023
- Time-Limited Dynamic Psychotherapy, Year-Long Intensive – Department of Veterans Affairs, completed August 2021
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Year-Long Intensive – Department of Veterans Affairs, completed August 2021
- The Game to Grow Method Levels 1-3 – Game to Grow, completed March 2021
- Prolonged Exposure Certification – Department of Veterans Affairs, completed August 2020
- Cognitive Processing Therapy Certification – Department of Veterans Affairs, completed August 2020
Socials in development
BattleRobin Counseling 