smiling woman, Alison West
LPC • Embedded Therapist for the College of Engineering

Alison is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 10 years of experience in the field. Alison had the pleasure of joining the CAPS team a couple of years ago after working in community mental health. As an Engineering Embedded Therapist, Alison has grown passionate about addressing challenges many engineering students face such as academic stress, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, self-compassion, school/life balance, and performance anxiety. Additionally, she is dedicated to helping create a culture of mental wellness within the college. Alison is passionate about helping clients build insight into how they relate to their thoughts and emotions—using one of the most valuable tools of all: curiosity. When you enter Alison’s office, you can expect empathy, collaboration, and an unwavering dedication to understanding. Alison is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all people of intersecting identities, experiences and backgrounds. 

With an integrative approach, Alison draws on person-centered, feminist, and contemporary psychodynamic perspectives, and incorporates modalities including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 

In her spare time, Alison enjoys long-distance running, writing, escape rooms, listening to podcasts and spending time with her family. 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Education

  • BS: Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University
  • Advanced Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Medaille College
  • MA: Counseling and Human Services, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

The thing you'd most like to see

I would love to see a blue whale someday!

Areas of interest

Mindfulness, boundaries, academic stress, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, self-compassion, school/life balance, anxiety and mood disorders, intrusive and unwanted thoughts, social justice and multicultural concerns, relationship concerns and substance use.


Connect with CAPS

Please call CAPS at 303-492-2277 to inquire about CAPS services.

To message a specific provider:

  1. Go to mycuhealth.colorado.edu
  2. Click "Get Started" under the Counseling and Psychiatric Services clinic
  3. Go to "Messages" tab
  4. Click "Compose New Message"
  5. Find applicable provider to message or message ASK CAPS