Summary

This page introduces Dr. Allison Aosved, a trauma‑informed psychologist specializing in PTSD, trauma‑related anxiety, chronic stress, and institutional betrayal. It describes her clinical approach, professional background, lived experience, and the values that guide her work with individuals, clinicians, and organizations. It also highlights her training, credentials, publications, and community collaborations.

Welcome to Thrive Psychology

I’m Dr. Allison Aosved, founder of Thrive Psychology. I am a trauma‑informed psychologist in Hawaii, Illinois, and Washington. As a PTSD and trauma‑focused psychologist and consultant, I’ve dedicated my career 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. In this space, 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

Trauma-Informed Therapy for Adults

As a result, for more than 20 years, I’ve helped people navigate PTSD, trauma‑related anxiety, chronic stress, and the lingering effects of betrayal. Over time, research—and my decades of experience—have shown that approaching painful memories and patterns in a safe, structured, and supportive way can create profound relief. In particular, 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. As a trauma‑informed psychologist in Hawaii, I bring this experience to every person and organization I support.”

Trauma-Informed Consultation for Organizations

In addition to my clinical work, I partner with organizations, teams, and systems seeking to strengthen psychological safety and expand access to evidence‑based trauma care. In many cases, my work focuses on helping programs implement and sustain science‑backed treatments—especially Prolonged Exposure (PE), the Unified Protocol (UP), and accelerated CBT and PE clinic models. To support this, I guide leaders and clinicians through every stage of implementation, from strategic planning and workflow design to training, coaching, and fidelity support. Whether you are launching a new initiative or refining an existing program, I help teams build trauma‑informed systems that are effective, sustainable, and grounded in real‑world clinical practice.

Why I Founded Thrive Psychology

As a trauma‑informed psychologist in Hawaii, I founded Thrive Psychology to expand access to evidence‑based care. In many ways, this commitment has shaped every part of my career. At the same time, 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. Because of this, as a PTSD and trauma focused psychologist and consultant, 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.

Supporting Implementation of Evidence‑Based Therapies

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. To learn more about how I structure this work, you can visit the Details page.

Aloha, I’m Dr. A

Beyond my professional roles, 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. Over time, 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. In addition, I have navigated my own experiences of institutional betrayal. Together, these experiences continue to guide my work today—grounding me in cultural humility, equity, and a deep respect for the lived experiences people carry.

Values that Guide my Work

I value time with friends and family, being in nature, and practicing yoga and mindfulness. I also enjoy reading, cooking and baking vegan food, and spending time with animals. Beyond these parts of my life, my identity as a mother is especially important to me, and it shapes the care, presence, and perspective I bring to my work. In addition, my identity and background continue to guide how I show up for clients and communities.

A New Beginning

Ultimately, 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. Over time, many people begin to notice subtle but meaningful shifts in how they feel.

Trauma-Informed Psychological Care

As a trauma‑informed psychologist serving Hawaii and beyond, I never take lightly the trust it requires to share your story. In fact, 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. If you’re exploring therapy, you can visit the Connect page to get started.

Experience and Credentials as a Trauma-Informed Psychologist

Career in Trauma‑Focused and Equity‑Driven Care

Clinical Experience

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

Areas of Expertise

I have developed, led, and supported innovative mental health programs, with a particular focus on accelerated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy. As a result, I’ve focused on developing programs that reduce suffering sooner and more effectively.

Organizational Experience

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

My work as a trauma‑informed psychologist in Hawaii has centered on expanding access to accelerated PE and CBT. Specifically, my work has always centered on creating meaningful change—within individuals, within systems, and within communities. For example, my early work in nonprofit settings taught me the importance of culturally responsive care. Furthermore, my years in the VA strengthened my commitment to equity and access. If your team or system is seeking trauma‑informed change, you can explore my approach on the For Organizations page.

Education

Credentials

• Hawaii Licensure as a Psychologist, 2007
• Illinois Licensure as a Psychologist, 2025
• Washington Licensure as a Psychologist, 2025
• Board Certification, Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), 2018

Together, these experiences form the foundation of my clinical and consultation work.

Scholarly Work

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.

Additionally, my research reflects a long‑standing dedication to trauma‑informed, evidence‑based practice.

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

As a trauma‑informed psychologist in Hawaii, I remain 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. Because of this, effective, evidence‑based care is essential and available. In my work, I’m dedicated to expanding access to that care through therapy, training, consultation, and program development.

Ready to Connect

For those seeking support, whether for your own healing, your clinical practice, or your organization’s trauma‑informed programs, I’d love to connect.

Q&A

Q: What does Dr. Aosved specialize in?

A: I specialize in evidence‑based PTSD treatment, trauma‑informed care, accelerated PE and CBT, and consultation for clinicians and organizations. Learn about my therapy services and view my rates.

Q: Who is this page for?

A: This page is for individuals seeking trauma‑informed therapy, clinicians wanting support in evidence‑based practice, and organizations building trauma‑informed systems. Schedule a time to connect with me.