Psychotherapy | Allison Hilborn-Tatro

Psychotherapy is a safe space where individuals, couples, and families can talk honestly and openly about their inner lives, where they can explore their thoughts, their feelings, and their struggles in such a way that it moves them from being stuck, frozen, and/or in crises, into clarity and action.

All therapists have their own approach, style, and areas of expertise. Allison's approach to psychotherapy is considered brief or short-term: typically, she meets with clients between one and ten sessions over as many weeks, and during this time, she and her client will focus on understanding, resolving, and moving through the issue that is causing the greatest disruption in their lives.

Her style is active, she would describe herself as intensely curious, and her primary area of expertise is the change process.

"I’ve known and worked closely with Allison since the beginning of her career, and she brings a rare combination of clarity, depth, and focus to her work. She helps clients get to the core of what’s really going on beneath the surface—often far more quickly than they expect. While many clients focus on a specific problem or symptom, Allison skillfully guides the work toward the deeper emotional patterns driving it, allowing for meaningful, lasting change."

- Cornelius Sheehan, LCSW, Reno, NV

"I met Allison over 15 years ago when we were MFT interns. I was immediately impressed by her intelligence. We have worked together in a variety of capacities through the years and I have found her to be observant, straightforward and ethical. She is a trusted colleague whom I highly recommend for effective, quality therapy."

-Wendy Westergard, LMFT, Reno, NV

MA, Counseling and Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Marital, Couple, and Family Therapy, University of Nevada at Reno, completed 2011
While at UNR, Allison was mentored by a diverse group of expert clinicians whose theoretical orientations included family systems theory, behavioral therapies, client-centered therapies, and existential, process-focused therapies. During this time, Allison also attended intensive seminars, courses, and experiential trainings on group psychotherapy, and has since facilitated or co-facilitated several high functioning process groups.

BA, English, Sierra Nevada College completed 2005

Allison got her undergraduate degree at SNC, a small liberal arts school on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, which has since been become a satellite school for UNR. Under the care and direction of June Sylvester Saraceno in the English department, Allison began to pursue publishing her own writing as an undergrad and her poems have appeared in a variety of journals and reviews.

Motivational Interviewing- “MI is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with particular attention (paid) to the language of change. It is designed to strengthen personal motivation for and commitment to a specific goal by eliciting and exploring the person’s own reasons for change within an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.” (Miller & Rollnick, 2013, p. 29)

Emotionally-Focused Therapy- "Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a humanistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy, drawing primarily from attachment theory to facilitate the creation of secure, vibrant connection with self and others. Rooted in the science of emotions and attachment, EFT helps clients identify and transform the negative processing and interaction patterns that create distress" (ICEEFT - International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy.)

Group Psychotherapy-"Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which 1 or 2 therapists work with multiple clients simultaneously. The American Psychological Association recently identified group psychotherapy as a unique specialty. In this setting, the group collaborates to improve each member's symptoms and self-awareness. Evidence suggests that group psychotherapy is as effective as individual psychotherapy." (Group Therapy, Jonathan A. Mars; Jeff Baker)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-"Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common and best studied forms of psychotherapy. It is a combination of two therapeutic approaches, known as cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy...the basic idea behind the therapy is always the same: What we think, how we behave, and how other people make us feel are all closely related – and they all affect our wellbeing." (Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-"ACT aims to develop and expand psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility encompasses emotional openness and the ability to adapt your thoughts and behaviors to better align with your values and goals." (Psychology Today online article, Reviewed by Jaqueline Gairaud)

Family Systems Therapies-"Family systems therapy treats the family as an interconnected unit — rather than focusing on one person, it examines the patterns, roles, and dynamics that shape how the whole family functions...No one family member is identified as 'the problem' — the focus is on shared patterns and collective change." (A comprehensive guide to family systems therapy, Grow Therapy, April 2026)

In addition to working in her private practice, Allison has worked in residential addiction treatment, inpatient psychiatric care, eating disorder care, and outpatient evaluations and referrals. For several years, she also served as the clinical supervisor of a group home for survivors of sex trafficking.

Allison works with people dealing with the following issues:

-Alcohol use problems

-Problems with drugs

-Other compulsive disorders, including issues with spending, eating, gambling, internet, pornography, and gaming

-Stress, worry, and panic

-Couple and family conflicts

-Major life transitions, such as divorce/break-up, move, job change, retirement, or the loss of a loved one

-General mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and phobias