I am Licensed Mental Health Counselor and have approximately 6 years of clinical experience. I am a born and raised Floridian - from St. Petersburg, FL - however, I spent much of my young adult life traveling and moving about (Miami, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Costa Rica, New Orleans). I received my Bachelors degree in Social Work, with a minor in Spanish, from the University of North Florida. In 2020, I graduated from Jacksonville University with a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. I genuinely believe in the power of therapy. So much can be improved upon through supportive connections, empathy and the general resilience of the human condition. I have a vested curiosity in the lived experiences of my clients and a commitment to their growth and goals. Change itself is inevitable, and at times can feel insurmountable, but we can work together to control the trajectory of where those changes may take you.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Something I mention to clients before our first session - please don't get discouraged if you may feel we haven't made progress after our first meeting, though this is a very reasonable reaction to have. In general, our first session is meant to get an understanding of who you are, where you are, what your concerns are, your comfort level and most importantly to begin building trust in each other. This process does require exploration of past traumas and pain. After our first appointment you may feel a mixture of relief, guilt, validation, regret, anger, all of the above or something else entirely - whatever your reaction, I can assure you it is normal and worth mentioning at our next appointment.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe I am able to create an environment of safety, non-judgement and respect for my clients. My hope is to convey a genuine interest in my client's experiences, respect for their privacy and mutual accountability for our therapeutic relationship. I've experienced both sides of the counseling coin, as a client and a therapist, and can empathize with how uncomfortable it can be to share our deepest and darkest's with a stranger, therefore I prioritize finding the balance of trust-building and honest accountability.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I find purpose working with clients struggling with trauma, grief and loss, mental paralysis, role and/or life stage change and discomfort. I have a particular interest in first-time therapy clients. Feeling reluctant or skeptical is entirely normal and I have immense respect for the courage needed to commit and make that first appointment. Our greatest fears exist and persist in isolation, and carrying the weight of feeling broken AND alone is daunting...therapy is a place to unload the burdens you carry and learn new perspectives on how to make your goals attainable.
About Alexandra Newlon
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
At its core, Person-Centered techniques aim to give clients the freedom to explore what they want to work on and where they want therapy to take them. I believe the Person-Centered approach helps build trust between myself and my clients, while helping to create a nonjudgmental environment for us to work in. This approach doesn't focus on 'problems' or 'fixing you', its about respecting where you are today and finding constructive ways to use your existing attributes to get you where you want to go or closer things you would like to be different.
Structural Family Therapy
Many of the origins of our unconscious thoughts and behaviors can be found in our family systems. Exploring our histories, family dynamics, the roles that we hold (or held) and core relationships can help clients regain a sense of control over the trajectory of their lives. During therapy, we may engage in exercises that explore how different interactions and patterns might be contributing to the issues you're experiencing presently. As your therapist, we will look into how changing interactions and behaviors - thus breaking unhealthy cycles that were established long before you - can improve upon your wellbeing, relationships and personal autonomy.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral techniques (DBT) help clients find balance between acceptance and commitment to their goals. I've used these techniques as a means of helping clients gain insight, tolerance, create boundaries and regulate intense emotions. I often explain this method to clients as being an "and" approach, rather than feeling stuck in an "either or" situation that is outside of our control. This therapeutic approach is meant to validate your feelings "and" learn ways to move forward, in spite of, distressing and sometimes intolerable roadblocks.
Grief Therapy
The majority of my clinical work has been in the area of grief therapy; having worked as a bereavement therapist with a Hospice agency for approximately 6 years. My role as a grief therapist is to support my clients exploration of the physical, social, behavioral or emotional toll losing a loved one has taken on their lives and wellbeing. We may explore the multitude of factors that have impacted your grief reactions and why they may differ from others around you; for example, what was your relationship with your loved one (were you a caregiver)?, are you struggling to cope with unresolved conflict or guilt?, was your loved ones death a prolonged illness or sudden?, are you facing additional losses (financial, social, relationships or community, loss of roles you once held)? Our work in therapy is meant to validate the magnitude of the grief and loss you are experiencing, while learning how to move forward with rebuilding our lives and bringing those we have lost with us. Above all, my role as a grief therapist is to encourage an understanding that your life has meaning and purpose, and that moving forward is possible with support.