About

About Alison Christiansen and Radiant Compassion

Alison is passionate about integrating mindfulness-based modalities into clinical social work with groups and individuals, specializing in addressing anxiety and trauma with adolescents and adults.

 

Supporting radiant compassion are some real-life credentials:

  • 500RYT Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor - Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (2012)

  • Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work - Boston College (2013)

  • Practicing psychotherapist (LCSW) licensed in New York, California and Massachusetts. Working in private practice since 2018.

  • Certified AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) Level 2 Therapist.

  • 300hr Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga - Integrative Yoga Therapy School (2017)

  • Reiki Master Level practitioner in Usui Holy Fire Reiki tradition (2017)

  • Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Program - InsightLA, Los Angeles, California (2020)

  • Assistant Teacher for the Hidden Treasure Program at Light on the Hill Retreat Center (2022-present)

Alison Christiansen

Alison received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston College in 2013 and has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient mental health settings in New York, California and Massachusetts. She currently operates her own private practice, specializing in the treatment of trauma, anxiety and chronic illness through mindfulness and somatic-based practices. She completed her 200 hour Yoga Teaching Training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in 2012 under renowned teachers Priti Robyn Ross and Sudha Carolyn Lundeen. In 2017, Alison obtained her 500 hour Yoga Teacher Certification as an Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga through the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). In addition, she has been practicing Reiki since 2016 and teaches Reiki Level One and Two trainings in the Usui Holy Fire tradition. 

As a curious student of yoga and meditation for the past 20 years, self-compassion and mindfulness have been the most impactful practices for Alison in finding personal fulfillment in life, cultivating a kind relationship with herself and being present to both the joys and losses of life.

After being introduced to yoga as a teenager, Alison was drawn to Kripalu Yoga while on retreat with her mother. Its emphasis on self-compassion and self-inquiry was intriguing and fortifying. Through daily yoga and meditation, Alison began to experience the simple, yet profound, power of being present; she now embraces mindfulness as a way of life. Throughout adulthood, meditation and yoga have been constant supports, as well as wise companions through the hardships of thyroid cancer, the loss of her father, pregnancy loss and stillbirth. Alison considers herself a perpetual student of life and is endlessly fascinated by how yoga and psychology weave together. It has become her personal mission to spread teachings of mindfulness and self-compassion, and hold space for others in their healing.


Alison’s passion is offering Reiki Yoga workshops, gentle yoga classes, therapeutic yoga groups, and supporting others on retreats. She aspires to hold a sacred container to return to the remembrance that you are whole and complete exactly as you are.