Allie Fernandez, LCSW

LCSW, trained in play therapy, Sandtray

Meet Allie

A Word From Allie

“Allie has a genuine warmth to her that creates a safe and caring environment for my child. Beyond her natural care, her high level of competence as a trained play therapist is what makes us paying cash and out of pocket such an easy “yes” for us. My daughter genuinely loves going to therapy and we have seen lovely improvements throughout her time with Allie”   ~Mother of a 6 yr old. 

“We came to Allie lost, disconnected, skeptical, and depleted from the daily struggle of an increasingly dysfunctional home life.  Our older son, 9, has ADHD and anxiety and our little guy, 6, was getting caught in the crossfire of daily fights and struggles. After regularly participating in play therapy, the positive changes we’ve seen in our family feel nothing short of magic, fostering emotional safety, confidence, and regulation. Allie is brilliant, realistic, patient, invested, kind and encouraging — she answers every question with care and detail.  We are forever grateful for Allie and the beautiful impact she has made in our lives.”  ~ Mother of 9 & 6 yr old. 

 

All behavior makes sense in context. As the saying goes: “When a flower doesn’t bloom, you don’t fix the flower, you till the soil in which it grows.”  If you’re struggling, I want you to know that your reactions, patterns, and unhealthy coping strategies—no matter how frustrating or painful—developed for a reason. Rather than viewing these as failures, I see them as signals of unhealed wounds and unmet needs. Together, we will explore not just the symptoms, but the roots of your struggles, helping you heal in a way that fosters lasting change.

I understand the vulnerability that comes with therapy because I’ve been on the other side of the couch myself. Healing is a deeply personal journey, and I strive to create a space that is safe, compassionate, and free of judgment. I am trained in EMDR, IFS (parts work), Safe and Sound Protocol, play therapy for trauma, Sandtray, and attachment work. I have a deep appreciation for the resilience, creativity, and curiosity of children/teenagers and especially love working with them and their families. I also enjoy working with couples and women struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, addictive behaviors, attachment wounds, relationship issues, negative body image, and more.

Healing isn’t about “fixing” you because…you were never broken. It’s about tilling the soil to create the conditions that allow you to thrive. If you’re ready to begin this journey, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

I am also trained to work with children ages 3-12 utilizing play therapy through the Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

Degrees and Training
  • Master of Social Work from the University of South Florida
  • Trained in Play Therapy through Heartland Play Therapy Institute
  • EMDR II
  • Safe and Sound Protocol
  • CSAT modules I and II
  • The Trauma Research Foundation’s Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies

***At The Finding Place Counseling, we believe therapy should fit you, not the other way around. Every treatment plan is thoughtfully personalized to your unique needs. For many clients, traditional 60 minute sessions provide the support they need. However, others—especially couples, those traveling far, or clients navigating more complex concerns—may highly benefit from longer sessions, therapy intensives, or group therapy. That’s why we offer a range of options, including 60 minute sessions, extended therapy sessions (90 minutes to 2 hours), weekend therapy intensives (1, 2, or 3 day formats), and group therapy for both men and women. By carving out intentional, uninterrupted time, you create the space to lean fully into therapy, explore your story more deeply, and experience meaningful, lasting change.

Experience Restoration & Freedom

Many people don’t get the results they want from therapy because insurance and standard session lengths get in the way of treating root issues.

The Finding Place Counseling in Little Rock, AR is a private counseling center that offers custom therapy intensives to help clients quickly achieve breakthroughs on the road to restoration and freedom.

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