Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Cline Spencer.
Hi Alyssa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I worked as a foster care caseworker in Illinois for 7 years and was able to obtain my Master’s in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville while working full time. After finishing my degree, I decided to leave the world of foster care behind and took on my first role as a child therapist in Illinois in early 2020. From there, I was able to obtain my LCSW and began seeing therapy clients via telehealth in private practice, focusing on teenagers and family therapy. My passion for that population grew and I was able to obtain my LCSW in Missouri and expand services into Missouri, opening my own private practice in March 2025. My focus has been parenting education and play therapy, as well as supporting teenagers and young adults. I was able to blend my experience working in foster care with my passion for therapy and put those worlds together to help strengthen family bonds.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The process of living in Missouri and working in Illinois was a bit rocky at first. There are different criteria for licensure for each state and it was hard to sort out how to have two licenses and what area to offer practices to best support the needs. I have found that the need for child therapists in St. Louis is pretty great and hope to eventually obtain my own office space to be able to provide more of that service in-person.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about ACS Therapy Space?
I am currently seeing clients via telehealth for both Illinois and Missouri. I have my CADC from Illinois as well as my LCSW in Illinois and in Missouri. I have lots of experience working in addiction and recovery, as well as have certifications in parenting education practices and play therapy. I am quite proud of my accomplishments and populations I have been able to serve and continue to offer evening and weekend appointments, offering support around peoples’ work schedules. The driving force behind my practice is to meet people where they are and help them on their journeys. I believe that people are allowed to make a big deal out of things that feel like a big deal to them, no matter how small or insignificant that might seem to someone else. No one can truly understand your reality or your feelings, and you have a right to feel seen and validated. I also have a Graduate Certification in Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies and have seen many children for gender affirming care and take great care in being an LGBTQIA+ supportive practice.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Telehealth services have really transformed access to care, and I see that trend continuing on. Having said that, I think it has also made some in-person practices less popular and a bit harder to find. Especially in regard to play therapy for children. I see a blend of in-person and teletherapy continuing to be offered, with people eventually seeking more in-person care and connection in the coming years.
Pricing:
- $100 per session without insurance
- Sliding scale fees offered
- EAP sessions available with CuraLinc
- Paneled with UHC, BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Carelon, & Quest
Contact Info:
