Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alison. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alison , appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Absolutely—the defining moment in my professional career, was when I made the decision to change my Instagram handle from @therapywithali to @theanxietyhealer.

It might sound like a small shift, but for me, it changed *everything.* That simple rebrand in 2017 marked the beginning of something so much bigger than I could’ve imagined at the time. What started as a page to support my private practice quickly turned into a mission—a calling, really—to help heal the world from anxiety in a holistic, compassionate way.

Since then, *The Anxiety Healer* has grown into a full brand and community. I’ve written two books, launched digital courses, created a 1:1 coaching program, and co-host a podcast called *The Anxiety Chicks.* And now, I’m building something I’m really excited about—a membership community launching in Fall 2025 for those looking for deeper connection, support, and access to holistic anxiety healing tools.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Sometimes the boldest moves start with the smallest steps. And when you’re aligned with your purpose, the ripple effect can reach further than you ever thought possible.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Alison Seponara, and I’m a licensed therapist, holistic anxiety educator, author, and the founder of *The Anxiety Healer* brand. I’ve been working in the mental health field for over 15 years, and I specialize in anxiety recovery through a blend of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based techniques, and holistic healing practices. I also run a virtual private practice where I support clients struggling with anxiety, trauma, OCD, perfectionism, and more.

My journey into this work was both personal and professional. I’ve lived with anxiety myself for most of my life, so I know firsthand how overwhelming and isolating it can feel. What really drove me was the lack of stigma-free, supportive spaces where people could learn to *actually* heal—not just cope. That’s what inspired me to start creating content online and eventually build *The Anxiety Healer* brand.

What began as a small Instagram page has grown into a global community of over half a million people across social media, all committed to healing anxiety from the inside out. I’ve since written two books, *The Anxiety Healer’s Guide* and “The Anxiety Healers Guide for Clinicians, launched The Anxiety Healer Academy – an online platform with multiple self-instructed anxiety healing courses, created a signature 1:1 anxiety healing coaching program, and I co-host a weekly podcast called *The Anxiety Chicks*. I’m also launching a membership community in Fall 2025 for people seeking consistent support, exclusive resources, and more direct access to me and my healing work.

I offer a range of services—from therapy and coaching to digital resources, guided journals, and holistic toolkits. What makes my work unique is that it doesn’t just focus on surface-level symptom relief—it goes deeper. I help people understand *why* their anxiety shows up, how trauma is stored in the body, and how to regulate their nervous system and rewire their thoughts using both evidence-based and integrative practices.

I’m most proud of the fact that *The Anxiety Healer* has become more than a brand—it’s a movement. It’s a safe space where people can feel seen, supported, and empowered to take healing into their own hands.

What I want people to know most about my work is this: healing anxiety is possible. It’s not about “fixing” yourself—it’s about coming home to yourself, building your unique healing toolkit, and knowing you’re not alone in the process.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Training and education are of course important, but in my experience, what’s most helpful for truly succeeding in this field is learning how to *authentically be yourself* and *trust yourself.*

As a therapist and healer, your presence—how grounded, genuine, and self-aware you are—is just as important as any clinical skill you’ve learned. People can feel when you’re real, when you’re showing up as *you* and not trying to be some perfect version of a mental health professional. That authenticity is what creates safety, connection, and healing.

Also—and I can’t emphasize this enough—*getting therapy as a therapist* is absolutely vital. Not just once, but ongoing. You have to be willing to do your own inner work, confront your triggers, get honest about your own judgments, and stay in alignment with *why* you’re doing this work in the first place. This profession isn’t about making a lot of money. It’s about having a deep, genuine passion for helping people become the best version of themselves—which means you have to be doing the same for yourself too.

Success in this field comes down to self-awareness, resilience, and integrity. It means making mistakes, learning from them, owning when you’re wrong, and continuing to show up. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being human, being present, and being committed to the process, both for your clients and for yourself.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that success only comes from following the *traditional* path—especially in the therapy world.

When I started building my online healing and wellness brand, *The Anxiety Healer*, I knew I was stepping outside the box of what a “typical” therapist was “supposed” to do. I was open about my own anxiety. I shared pieces of my life. I created accessible content for anyone who didn’t have access to therapy. And to be honest, not everyone in my field agreed with it. Some fellow clinicians felt it wasn’t “professional” or that I was blurring lines by being vulnerable online. But you know what? I chose to keep going.

Because for me, *authenticity* will always be more important than fitting into outdated boxes.

Today, I have a global community of over half a million people, and the messages I get every day remind me why I started. I’d rather be quietly judged by colleagues than miss out on the chance to make someone feel seen, supported, and less alone in what they’re going through.

And ironically, what was once so frowned upon—therapists being real, relatable, and showing up on social media—is now the *norm.* There are thousands of therapists, doctors, and healers doing exactly what I was once told not to do. Hopefully, they’re doing it with the same mission I have: to create community, reduce stigma, and offer healing in spaces that didn’t exist before.

So the lesson? *Don’t conform just because it’s what’s always been done.* Listen to your intuition, lead with heart, and don’t be afraid to take up space in new ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theanxietyhealer.com
• Instagram: @theanxietyhealer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alisonseponara/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonseponara
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@anxietychicks
• Other: the anxiety healers guide: https://theanxietyhealer.com/books

  the anxiety healers guide for clinicians: https://theanxietyhealer.com/books

  Podcast: https://theanxietyhealer.com/podcast

Image Credits

Carlyn Dixon photography