A licensed professional counselor (LPC) is a mental health provider who holds a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling and who has met all requirements set forth by the state licensure board to provide quality mental health care.
The second “C” (LPC“C”) denotes advanced clinical experience and knowledge as required by the state licensure board that allows for independent practice (meaning, without the need for supervision).
The “S” (LPCC-“S”) denotes advanced experience and knowledge in clinical supervision as required by the state licensure board that allows for supervision of LPCs and counselors-in-training.
Andrew Allen (pronouns: he/him) is an experienced licensed professional clinical counselor supervisor who works with adolescents, adults, and couples. His specialty interests include boys’ and men’s issues, depressive disorders, addiction and co-occurring (mental health and addiction) disorders, conflict resolution, and personal insight counseling. The treatment approaches that he uses in sessions are evidence-based and focus on promoting healthy thinking patterns and behaviors that increase happiness.
Andrew earned his master’s degree from Malone University in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling. In addition to his degree, Andrew has extensive training in several counseling disciplines including crisis work, addiction treatment (including Motivational Interviewing techniques and assessment and treatment techniques through the American Society of Addiction Medicine), and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Prior to private practice, Andrew has worked extensively with a variety of community treatment settings within his decade of experience. These types of treatment settings have ranged from outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient, and residential/incarcerated treatment facilities. Across these settings, Andrew has served in numerous leadership positions as a clinical supervisor and director of various treatment programs.
He has been instrumental in developing unique treatment and wellness programs related to equine therapy, gardening, music enrichment, and the integration of technology into long-term recovery programs.
In addition to his clinical work, Andrew is an adjunct professor for Malone University in the Clinical and Mental Health Counseling graduate program and in the Psychology undergraduate program. In 2020, Andrew developed 80% of the courses that comprise Malone’s new Chemical Dependency Counselor minor degree program. In the community Andrew serves as a board member for TWi Inc., an agency that provides opportunities for clients who experience developmental disabilities.
Andrew’s approach to counseling is client-centered, as he believes that counseling is most successful when there is a strong connection between the client and the counselor. Andrew believes that his greatest skill as a counselor is that he can help clients identify their potential, and then assist them in reaching it. Andrew believes in the power of personal insight – that clients know themselves best and can benefit from following their own internal compass.
His strengths include: compassion, insight, humor, the ability to educate in an effective way, and creating a comfortable and non-judgmental space for clients to share their stories.
Andrew has served as a supervisor for licensed professional counselors and counselors-in-training since 2017, particularly in agencies and organizations that have provided care for clients who struggle with addiction and co-occurring mental health issues. His approach to supervision is best defined as a developmental approach. Using this approach, Andrew adapts supervision sessions to address the specific needs of supervisees in order to promote their growth and development. More so, he enjoys using practical training and direction to promote the use of evidence-based practices. Andrew has experience providing supervision to a broad range of skill and experience levels for those working in the social services field.