Profile / United States
Allen Gholston, LCSW
Tennessee
LCSW - Stress and mood concerns
See online therapy options- CBT techniques
- Client-centered work
- DBT skills
About Allen
Allen Gholston is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Tennessee with 20 years of experience. He helps people struggling with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, and issues related to LGBT identity and sexuality.
He uses straightforward, person-focused work to help people manage difficult feelings. Sessions are practical and goal-oriented. He listens, asks specific questions, and suggests small experiments to try between meetings.
Allen draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and change patterns that keep problems going. He also uses client-centered techniques that prioritize what the person says matters most. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills and mindfulness practices are used when emotional regulation and coping skills are needed.
He frames motivation and change as a set of steps to test, using motivational interviewing when someone feels stuck. His background in social work brings experience with chronic illness and caregiving, grief and end-of-life conversations, and substance use concerns.
Sessions focus on clear, practical strategies: spotting thinking traps, trying new responses, and building coping skills. He encourages deliberate, measurable steps and checks progress along the way. People who want concrete tools and a direct, respectful approach may find his style helpful.
How his approaches translate to online work
Allen commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot automatic thoughts and test new behaviors; CBT sessions focus on structured exercises, thought records, and targeted practice that translate well to remote sessions. Client-Centered Therapy provides a conversational, person-led frame where the therapist listens closely and follows the person's priorities rather than imposing a set plan. Dialectical Behavior Therapy contributes concrete emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills that can be taught and practiced between meetings.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. He will discuss options, try interventions, and adjust plans based on the person’s goals and what feels useful. This is a collaborative process with regular checks on progress and changes when something is not working.
The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available formats before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow quicker access to regular check-ins or brief skill coaching when needed. Some clients find phone check-ins easier for short updates, while longer video sessions suit skills practice and detailed work. Allen will help match a session pattern to daily life and treatment goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Tennessee, Mississippi
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, LGBT issues, and related areas such as body image and chronic illness.
How does he use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
He uses CBT to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors. Sessions include practical exercises and homework to test new ways of thinking.
What is his professional background?
He has 20 years of experience in social work, has held an MS in Social Work since 2001, and became an LCSW in 2016.
Where is his practice based?
He practices in Tennessee and holds MS LCSW and TN LCSW credentials as provided.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.