Allison Engstrom

Allison (she/her/) is a Psychology Extern at OCAC and is currently working towards her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Irvine (UCI).

Prior to starting her PhD, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Pre-Medicine with minors in Chemistry and Spanish from Indiana State University. Allison also worked as a neurosurgery clinical research coordinator at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School. At UCI, Allison specializes in working with adults and older adults to understand healthy aging and various contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia. She is passionate about integrative health and the relationship between structural brain changes and cognitive and emotional functioning. She has a strong foundation in integrative, evidence-based mental health care.

Prior to joining OCAC, she provided individual therapy to adults presenting with anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress-related disorders, utilizing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, mindfulness, and transdiagnostic approaches such as the Unified Protocol.

Allison also has advanced training in neuropsychology and brain-behavior relationships. She conducts neuropsychological assessments and cognitive rehabilitation therapy for individuals experiencing memory concerns, mild cognitive impairment, and other neurological conditions. Her research focuses on the relationship between brain vascular health and cognitive aging, including work on cerebrovascular reactivity and Alzheimer’s disease risk. Allison is committed to an integrative model of care that supports both psychological well-being and brain health across the lifespan.

Allison strives to create a therapeutic space that is collaborative, warm, and grounded in genuine respect for each client’s lived experience. She views therapy as a process in which clients are the experts in their own lives, and she supports them in clarifying goals, building coping skills, and fostering meaningful change.

Outside of the office and school, Allison loves swimming, hiking, travelling, and spending time with friends and family.