Conversations with Allie McLaughlin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie McLaughlin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey to becoming a therapist has always been rooted in a genuine passion for connection and understanding others. Along the way, I recognized a breakdown in the healthcare system, one that often made it difficult for people to access quality, compassionate mental health care, while also being supported in a collaborative systems approach. I also experienced the burn out that therapist experience when they are undervalued and overworked. This realization and experience became a catalyst for action and propelled me to create Cincinnati Renewed Wellness in 2018.

I founded Cincinnati Renewed Wellness with the intention of bridging that gap: creating a space where clients feel safe, supported, and truly seen, and where clinicians are empowered to show up authentically and do their best work. What started as a vision to improve access has grown into a mission-driven practice centered on care, collaboration, and community. I have a small yet mighty team that is focused on quality, evidenced based care, while having fun along the way.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning a mental health practice has been both deeply rewarding and at times, unexpectedly challenging. While my heart has always been in being a therapist, holding space, connecting, and supporting others, I’ve had to grow into the role of a business owner, too. That journey has come with steep learning curves, navigating the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that aren’t always exciting but are essential to sustaining the work. I’ve learned about my strengths and areas of weaknesses. I have welcomed outsourced help that allow me to focus on what matters most. I’m a therapist first, always, and balancing that passion with the demands of running a business has pushed me in new ways. Even in the less glamorous moments, the purpose remains the same: creating a space where both clients and clinicians can truly thrive.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am EMDR Certified and specialize in working with individuals who have experienced trauma, helping them process and heal in a safe, supportive way. My work also deeply honors personal identity and neurodiversity, creating an affirming space where clients can explore who they are without judgment.

While trauma work is a central focus, I also utilize these skills with individuals seeking a deeper understanding of themselves, exploring patterns, building self-awareness, and reconnecting with their values. At the core of my approach is self-empowerment: supporting clients in feeling more confident, capable, and aligned in how they move through their lives.

I’m also deeply passionate about normalizing and de-stigmatizing mental health. Therapy doesn’t have to feel intimidating or heavy all the time, my goal is to create an approachable, human experience where people feel comfortable showing up as they are. I tell people all the time, if you came into our offices, you’d hear muffled laughter behind the doors. While we hold space for the hard and heavy moments, we also celebrate the beautiful ones, growth, breakthroughs, and the quiet triumphs that deserve to be seen.

I am so proud of the practice I’ve built over the years with clinicians creating powerful, positive, lasting impacts on our community. I always want Cincinnati Renewed Wellness to be known as a resource for the community and a safe space to go when you are in need.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My journey as a therapist has been shaped not only by my passion for the work, but by the people and experiences that have guided me along the way. I am incredibly grateful for the supervisors, mentors, and early work experiences that provided me with a strong foundation, offering invaluable insight into the complexities of mental health, the systems we navigate, and the diverse lived experiences of the clients we serve. I began my career as a community based clinician at The Buckeye Ranch in Columbus, OH and I am forever grateful. I am a firm believer of the power of starting your clinical career working in community mental health. It’s a profound and invaluable experience.

This field requires more than just education, it calls for ongoing exposure, curiosity, and humility. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside colleagues who have been sources of support, collaboration, and thoughtful consultation. These are my team members at CRW, other practice owners in the community, and deep friendships with fellow clinicians established back in my intern days. Cincinnati has such a wealth of talented clinicians and I have been blessed with a fruitful community to refer to and give/receive support. It truly takes a village in the mental health world, and I don’t take that for granted.

Even as an EMDR Certified clinician, independently licensed therapist, and supervisor, I consider myself a forever student. I am committed to continuously learning, growing, and refining my skills so I can show up in the most effective and meaningful ways for my clients. I will forever cherish the honored role of being a therapist. My clients are the experts in their lives, I just assist them in seeing their options on the road map of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cincinnatirenewedwellness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cincinnati.renewed.wellness
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CincinnatiRenewedWellness