We had the good fortune of connecting with Derek Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derek, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I am not a natural risk taker. In fact, most of the meaningful risks I have taken in my life required me to move directly through fear, anxiety, and self-doubt rather than around them.

The greatest risk I ever took was leaving a full-time, steady job to start my own private mental health practice. At the time, the decision felt anything but romantic. There were bills to pay, responsibilities at home, and no guarantee that the work would succeed. What pulled me forward was not a disregard for risk, but a stronger desire for autonomy, creativity, and the ability to provide care in a way that truly aligned with the needs of my clients.

With the support of an incredibly patient and encouraging wife, I took the leap. The decade that followed became the most challenging—and most growth-filled—period of my life. There were financial uncertainties, professional failures, long nights of anxiety, and moments when giving up felt far easier than pushing forward. Yet, each setback revealed something new: resilience I didn’t know I possessed, a deeper understanding of my limits and strengths, and a clearer sense of purpose.

That risk ultimately allowed me to help hundreds of individuals, making the cost worth bearing. It also taught me an important truth: failure does not mean a risk was the wrong choice. Often, it simply teaches us how to approach it differently. Avoiding risk altogether may feel safer, but it often narrows our world and limits our potential for growth.

In many ways, seeking mental health treatment mirrors this same dynamic. Therapy can feel risky—uncertain, uncomfortable, and emotionally demanding. It asks people to confront parts of themselves they may have spent years avoiding. But, as with other meaningful risks, the potential rewards are profound: emotional freedom, self-understanding, and empowerment.

Risk is never easy, and it always comes with a cost. Yet, when approached with intention and support, it can open doors that would otherwise remain closed. Growth, I’ve learned, rarely happens in comfort—it happens when we are willing to step into uncertainty and trust ourselves enough to see what lies beyond it.

What should our readers know about your business?
Adult and Adolescent Recovery Counseling (AARC) was founded by Derek Allen in 2015. After spending years working in community mental health and with large agencies, Derek realized there were limitations that prevented him from providing the quality service that individuals deserved. AARC was created with the goal of providing treatment designed specifically for the person, not a one-size-fits-all model. By focusing on the individual, without the distractions and politics of a large agency, treatment can be dedicated to quality, integrity, progress, and results. Our clients are able to take an active role in their treatment, feeling empowered in their progress. At AARC, we ensure that our clients are clear about the treatment focus and goals, and have a clear picture of what their treatment will look like.
We work with couples, families, children, and individuals. We treat a variety of issues including, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, and transitioning through difficult life changes.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would love to show someone the beauty Arizona has to offer. Arizona has a rich western history and visiting towns like Tucson, Jerome, Sedona, and Flagstaff are a must. The Mexican cuisine is amazing here and I would share some of my favorite restaurants.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, my wife and my relationship with God. I would also like to thank all of those that started with me in the very beginning and were patient with me as I learned and grew.

Website: https://www.aarctherapy.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aarctherapy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adult-adolescent-recovery-counseling/?viewAsMember=true

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AARCtherapy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aarctherapy

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