Looking at Yourself Through Therapy with Allie Runkel
Before we even mention the chaos that tore through 2020 and into the present, the necessity to incorporate therapy into self-care regimens and surviving modernity have long been a hot topic of discussion. From Prince Harry talking about his own internal struggles, to the growing wave in popularity of online therapy, looking after your noggin’ has slowly but surely been given the attention it deserves (finally)!
Allie Runkel, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor based in Laguna Beach, is all too happy to watch this positive progression. “Therapy often gets a bad rap,” she explains. “It’s been stigmatized for centuries, and the weight of that still impacts society and culture today.” The stigma is something she hopes to eradicate, often sharing with her clients her own experience in therapy and how she continues to see her own therapist weekly.
“You don't need to be suffering from any major mental health issues or have had any trauma to truly benefit from therapy,” says Runkel. “Therapy is a place where we can look at ourselves in a container of unconditional love.”
Runkel is client-centered in her approach, meaning she’s not a fan of a one-size-fits-all practice. Rather, when you experience a session with Runkel, you’ll build trust, rapport, and connection before diving into treatments and modalities.
“Though I tend to lean towards a psychodynamic framework, I also often incorporate art therapy and internal family systems therapy or ‘parts’ work,” she shares. This gentle nature and non-pathologized lens has helped clients immensely, guiding clients to relate to their highest sense of self — a part that is safe, worthy, and loved. “By entering into a therapeutic relationship with me, we work on rewiring old patterns to build out healthy and regulated ways of tuning into your own inner resources and wisdom to heal yourself, alongside an encouraging and non-judgmental listener.”
Runkel’s expertise lies in trauma, anxiety, and depression, and she works with both adults and children, which seems essential with (and here we can finally address the elephant in the room) the emotional side effects of COVID-19. “I have found that we all struggle with the same core issues. They manifest in a multitude of ways depending on who we are, the environments we grew up in, and those that surround us today,” says the therapist.
“COVID-19 brought a new depth to my work — we now find ourselves experiencing a collective trauma. It truly shook up life as we knew it, and we saw an influx in people seeking support.”
Maybe this is one of the silver linings of the pandemic (don’t get us wrong — there are few), but perhaps this massive global event bubbled to the surface those internal strifes so many of us were shoving deep down into the dark corners of our minds. And now, we have the time to face it all.
“Whether you are in the throes of addiction, toxic relationships, stuck in a career, or generally feeling off, therapy can help you find peace within yourself... but you will also be modeling a better existence for others around you,” explains Runkel.
“By treating yourself well, others treat you better, too. By living well, others will take your lead. It makes the world a better and more authentic place to grow.”
Her genuine, focused presence during her time with clients uniquely attunes her to their needs, exploring the depth of their feelings in a way that isn’t consuming or overwhelming. “I hope my clients can achieve better insight into themselves: more self awareness, trust in their own strengths and gifts, and a resilience in the face of dark times.”
While in a session with Runkel, you can expect a combination of mindfulness, grounding techniques, and coping strategies.
“Psychotherapy is a mirroring process — the most regulated nervous system in the room,” explains the expert. “The therapeutic relationship at its best is re-learning and experiencing a secure attachment that we did not necessarily receive from our caregivers as infants. I take psychotherapy seriously. Psychotherapy is not just about good and happy living, but about serving the needs of the soul.”
She also adds that, in addition to modalities used with clients in session, there are tools you can use in the outside world that can be helpful in unison. Runkel suggests activities like walking, meditation, maintaining a gratitude practice, spending time with cherished friends, taking a dip in the ocean, cooking, dancing, yoga, finding the positive bright spots in your day, and taking three deep breaths before responding to something difficult.
Lucky for us, all of the above are abundantly accessible in Laguna Beach. “There’s so much for locals to take advantage of here,” offers Runkel, “walking on the beach, dipping your toes in the water, or finding a warm spot of sand to lay down can soften the trials and tribulations of any day. The smells that accompany the canyon and sea every season are nourishing and empowering. There are lots of free activities, like community yoga classes in the park and other healing ceremonies like sound baths and breathwork meditations.” (Just this week she hosted a breathwork meditation on Victoria Beach with Liz Campbell from OM.)
Having grown up in Northern California, Runkel attended UCLA for undergrad, and then University of San Francisco for her masters. But it was the draw of SoCal — specifically Laguna Beach — that brought her to her soul’s purpose.
“My dad grew up in Laguna,” shares the local. “He introduced us to Orange Inn smoothies, the magic of a good sunset, the sticky floors of the Dirty Bird, and most importantly, taught us how to read the ocean and ride the waves of every beach off Pacific Coast Highway.”
“Learning to ride the waves is the ultimate metaphor for life — it has helped me find balance and grace through the hardships of this life, ultimately helping me to support others.”
So when the “waves” of life feel more like a hurricane, it’s important to know that the resources are out there... and they’re in your neighborhood. Runkel is ready to guide you on the path to finding joy again.
You can work with Allie both virtually and in-person. The best way to contact her is through her website AllieRunkel.com, or via her profile on PsychologyToday.com. To stay up-to-date on future events in Laguna follow her Instagram at @allierunkel_therapy.
Charlotte Farrell is an Orange County-native, editor, writer, and editorial content strategist who finds a thrill in telling stories about the marvelous things humans have accomplished, in addition to topics such as wellness, food, climate change, sustainability, clean beauty, fitness, mental health, and travel. She has a particular interest in globe-trotting, finding the best matcha latte in each destination she visits, and petting every dog she meets along the way.
Illustration by: Bethany Leah Jones.