Welcome to Thrive Psychology

I’m Dr. Allison Aosved, founder of Thrive Psychology. This is a space dedicated to helping people heal from the emotional impact of trauma, stress, and betrayal—experiences that can shape how we see ourselves, relate to others, and move through the world. My work centers on supporting individuals, clinicians, and organizations in creating conditions where healing, clarity, and meaningful change can take root.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you” ~ Maya Angelou, I know Why the Caged Bird Sings

For more than 20 years, I’ve helped people navigate PTSD, trauma‑related anxiety, chronic stress, and the lingering effects of betrayal. Research—and my decades of experience—show that approaching painful memories and patterns in a safe, structured, and supportive way can create profound relief. Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy remains one of the most effective treatments for trauma‑related anxiety, and increasing access to PE, and other science-backed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions, has been a driving force in my career.

Why I Founded Thrive Psychology

Despite strong evidence supporting PE and CBT, many people who could benefit from it never receive it, and many therapists lack training or support to deliver it confidently. I founded Thrive Psychology to change that—by offering PE and CBT directly to clients and by training, consulting, and supporting clinicians and organizations in delivering evidence‑based trauma care.

I’m especially committed to expanding access to accelerated PE and accelerated CBT, which offers the same proven treatment at a faster pace—often helping people feel better in weeks rather than months. For many clients, this approach reduces suffering sooner and restores a sense of agency and possibility.

Aloha, I’m Dr. A

I am a white queer married woman and mother, raised in the Pacific Northwest and on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi in a working‑class family. I was shaped by people who valued justice, community, and collective responsibility. Coming of age in the 1990s, witnessing trauma in my own family, and learning from communities impacted by violence and inequity led me to psychology as a way to support healing at personal, relational, and systemic levels. I have also navigated my own experiences of institutional betrayal, which deepened my commitment to trauma‑informed, culturally humble, and equity‑driven care.

These experiences continue to guide my work today—grounding me in cultural humility, equity, and a deep respect for the lived experiences people carry.

I value time with friends and family, being in nature, and practicing yoga and mindfulness. I also love reading, cooking and baking vegan food, and spending time with animals. My identity as a mother is especially important to me, and it shapes the care, presence, and perspective I bring to my work.

A New Beginning

It is a privilege to sit with people as they confront what has felt unbearable, reclaim their sense of self, and reconnect with what matters most. I never take lightly the trust it requires to share your story. The most meaningful moments in my work are when people begin to feel the shift—when anxiety loosens, when self‑blame softens, when hope returns, and when they begin to thrive.

My Experience and Credentials

My career began in a nonprofit dedicated to ending gender‑based violence and supporting survivors of sexual assault. I then spent 20 years serving diverse Veterans within the Department of Veterans Affairs, providing PTSD specialty care, addressing health disparities, and offering supervision, consultation, and training to clinicians across disciplines.

I have developed, led, and supported innovative mental health programs, with a particular focus on accelerated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy. My expertise includes:

• Program Development
• Implementation Facilitation
• Training and consultation in evidence-based psychotherapies
• Trauma-informed systems change
• Equity-driven care for underserved communities

My work has always centered on creating meaningful change—within individuals, within systems, and within communities.

I have published in peer reviewed journals and presented routinely at national and international conferences. My most rewarding endeavors have centered on PE training, consultation, implementation, and developing and sustaining a virtual accelerated PE clinic.

• Selected Publications:
• Aosved, A. C., Brown, T. B., Bell, J. C., & Palomo-Burns, G. (2025). Accelerated Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) System. Federal Practitioner, 42(4), s6-s11. doi:10.12788/fp.0568.  
• Michael, S. T., Blakey, S. M., Sherrill, A. M., & Aosved, A. C. (2021). Exposure therapy training and supervision: Research-informed strategies for addressing barriers to adoption and dissemination. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 15(2), 997-105.
• Scheiderer, E., Carlile, J. A., Aosved, A. C., & Barlow, A. (2017). Concurrent Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Prolonged Exposure reduces symptoms and improves overall quality of life for a veteran with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. Clinical Case Studies, 16(3), 216-233.
• Aosved, A. C., Long, P. J., & Voller, E. M. (2011). Sexual revictimization and adjustment in college males. Men and Masculinity, 12, 285-296.
• Aosved, A. C., & Long, P. J. (2009). The intolerant schema measure (ISM): A measure with subscales for multiple forms of intolerance including sexism, racism, sexual prejudice, ageism, classism, and religious intolerance. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 39 (10), 2321-2354.
• Aosved, A. C., & Long, P. J. (2006). Co-occurrence of rape myth acceptance, racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, classism, and religious intolerance. Sex Roles, 55 (7-8), 481-492.
• Aosved, A. C., & Long, P. J. (2005). College women’s experiences of psychological maltreatment and sexual violence. Violence and Victims, 20 (5), 577-588.

Communities and Collaborations

Dedicated to Reducing the Impact of Stress, Trauma, and Betrayal

Unaddressed trauma, chronic stress, and betrayal can ripple outward—affecting individuals, families, workplaces, and communities. Effective, evidence‑based care is essential and available. My professional life is dedicated to expanding access to that care through therapy, training, consultation, and program development.

If you’re seeking support for your own healing, if you’re a clinician wanting to strengthen your trauma‑focused practice, or if you’re an organization ready to build or enhance trauma‑informed programs, I’d love to connect.