Services & Programs

Allied Wellness Collective was founded in 2018, originally as Second Nature Counseling, to address the need for counseling services in the community. We have worked with clients who have struggled with all areas of life. Our experiences are different but our personal philosophies are the same; mental wellness is important and good mental health is necessary for success in life.

We are dedicated to enhancing the lives of those who have taken the leap to realize their potential. Counselors on our team provide counseling services to address many areas of life, including anxiety, depression, changes in living environments, and stress from work and school.

Starting from the beginning of any process, we are unaware of our incompetencies; we “don’t know what we don’t know.” As we learn and grow, we become conscious of those incompetencies and begin to work to improve upon them. We actively implement new competencies – we are conscious of them. As we become more competent, we begin to utilize them unconsciously as they become Second Nature. Our counseling techniques and approaches all keep this process in mind and we help you develop unconscious competencies to help you achieve your personal growth.

Our Areas of Focus

Work-related Stress & Burnout

Our team is trained and experienced in stress management techniques and compassion fatigue therapy. We can help find ways to be more satisfied with your job. From mindfulness to time management, you have the ability to develop the skills needed to achieve your best self.

School & College Stress

Whether in high school or college, being a student comes with many challenges. Our team has not forgotten what it's like to be in school and how it felt to have so many new responsibilities. We will work with you to help achieve your best self and be successful in your education.

Life Transitions

Change can be difficult. Most people cannot easily adapt to change. Whether it's moving, changing jobs, or starting a new relationship, there are times when it all seems unbearable but it's not. With some extra energy and time dedicated to examining your situation, it is possible to overcome the stress and overwhelming feelings you may have about the changes in your life.

Substance Use

We use the wellness model to address each area of a person’s life to treat the whole person, not just the addiction. We recognize the challenges and complications that come with addiction and we work closely with our clients to provide them with the help they seek.

Creative Arts Therapy

Utilizing creative arts and music therapy can benefit clients hoping to address social/communication skills, emotional regulation, self-expression, and personal growth.

Problem Gambling

Our team is dedicated to the positive transformation of lives harmed by problem gambling. This vision of transformation includes individuals with a gambling problem as well as their families and communities.

LGBTQ+ Issues

We welcome all, no matter their background, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and relationship status.

Play Therapy

Our team is trained in child play therapy and approaches in counseling to work with children and their families.

Couples & Families

We recognize that, sometimes, our needs are familial and within our relationships. Our team will work with couples and families of all shapes and sizes to help them grow together.

What to Expect

The process of counseling or therapy can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to counseling. As a local group, located in New York's Capital Region, we understand how important it is to feel comfortable and trusting of someone with whom you share your personal details. Allied Wellness Collective strives to maintain every patient's privacy and confidentiality.

Here are some common reasons people reach out to us:

Be happy at work
Enjoy healthy relationships
Succeed when faced with challenges in life
Manage stress and anxiety
Realize one’s identity and personality

Helpful Information

Cost & Fees for Counseling

Our telehealth-based practice offers counseling services to individuals, couples. families and groups. Rates for services are agreed upon prior to beginning counseling and with the consideration of insurance and other financial factors. Accessibility to counseling services is important to us and we want to make sure anybody who seeks counseling may access it while maintaining personal investment and responsibility.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Allied Wellness Collective is an equal-opportunity organization. The organization prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. The organization provides an atmosphere of respect, dignity, acceptance and safety for all clients. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and the process of receiving counseling services. Furthermore, no client will be discriminated against based on referral source. The office is open to clients from several referral sources including, but not limited to, self-referrals, medical doctors, payment sources including public and private insurance.

Hours & Scheduling

The providers at Allied Wellness Collective do not have set office hours. Each appointment is scheduled individually and based on the availability of the clinician.

Sliding Fee & Discounted Rates

It is the policy of Allied Wellness Collective to provide essential services regardless of a person’s ability to pay. Patients will not be denied service based on the inability to pay for services. If insurance cannot be billed or provided, patients have the option to pay a fee for service as well as take advantage of a sliding fee scale based on financial need. A sliding fee schedule is used to calculate the basic discount and is updated each year using the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Final decision for admission and sliding fee scale is determined by the provider. Once approved, the discount will be honored for six months, after which the client must reapply.

Frequent Questions & Answers

How do counseling sessions work?

In the first session, we will complete all necessary paperwork, discuss confidentiality, and begin to discuss your story. The focus of the second session will be to dig a little deeper into your story and discuss your goals for counseling. We will discover strengths and potential areas for improvement. The third and fourth sessions are typically when we will develop your Treatment Plan and write down the focus of counseling. The treatment plan outlines your specific goals, how they will be measured, and what strategies will be used to reach them. The following sessions will focus on the Treatment Goals. We will discuss the progress and consider any potential changes or additions to your Treatment Plan or new goals for therapy. Our goal is to help you decide how quickly, for how long, and when you feel is best to finish with counseling so you can move on with your life.

What credentials do our clinicians hold?

The team at Allied Wellness Collective is comprised of professionally trained licensed and certified clinicians. Our credentials consist of the following. LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselors. These clinicians have completed a master’s degree at an accredited college or university, at least 2 years of counseling experience post-graduation, at least 100 hours of supervision, and have passed a comprehensive national exam. MHC-LP: Mental Health Counselor - Limited Permit. Some of our clinicians are in the "residency" stage of their career. Counselors with this credential work directly under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor. LMSW: Licensed Master Social Workers. These clinicians have completed a 60-hour masters degree in social work (M.S.W.), or its equivalent, and 900 clock hours of supervised internship in social work practice. LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker. These clinicians have completed a 60-hour masters degree in social work (M.S.W.), or its equivalent, and 2,000 client contact hours over 3–6 years of supervised experience. CASAC: Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. Our counselors with this credential have completed at least 6000 hours of specialized work with people with substance use disorders, under supervision of other qualified health professionals (QHP), and passed a comprehensive exam. NCC: National Board-Certified Counselor. Our therapists with this board-certification have completed extensive hours of experience under supervisions, successfully graduated from a 60-hour master’s degree program, and passed a comprehensive national exam. CCPT: Child Centered Play Therapist. Clinicians have a graduate degree in a mental health field, are legally eligible to provide therapeutic services, completed education and training requirements set by the National Institute of Relationship Enhancement, and have completed supervised experience.

What theoretical approaches do you use in counseling?

Our clinicians utilize various theoretical approaches and modalities when working with our clients. The decision to use a specific theory depends on the client and the situation. The approach or mode of treatment may also change from session to session. Our clinicians integrate different theories and tools to provide the best therapy available.

How many counseling sessions do most clients attend?

Clinicians usually have an idea of how long clients will attend therapy with them. The length of time depends on the goals and objectives that have been set. Counseling can last from a few weeks to a few years. Sometimes, you may take a break from therapy and return when you feel most ready. Either way, we will always be here for you.

What if my counselor isn't the right fit for me?

We want to make sure you have the best experience possible in therapy. If you do not feel you match with your counselor, we can introduce to you one of our other clinicians. If you don’t feel comfortable with any of our counselors, we will discuss with you and refer you to the best option outside of our group. We will work with you and your new therapist to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.

I have a question I don't see here. What can I do?

We would like to make the counseling process as simple and friendly as possible. Sometimes we receive questions that aren’t posted here. If there is something you’d like to learn about that isn’t listed above, please send us a message or call us at (518) 952-9290.

Ready to take the next step? Call us!

(518) 952-9290

Reach out to us and a member of our patient services team will match you with a clinician who fits your needs.