New to Grow
Hi, I'm Alanna, LMHC. (DIYer, crafter, plant person, sunset admirer, music enthusiast, and animal lover.) I truly enjoy my work as a therapist and feel grateful to walk alongside people as they navigate challenges, changes, and growth. I believe that healing happens when you feel seen, safe, and free to be your authentic self. My goal is to create a space where you don’t have to hold back, where you can explore openly, without judgment. I’m passionate about building strong relationships with my clients, and I value the trust it takes to begin therapy. I’m always learning, reflecting, and growing so that I can continue to show up fully, not only for myself, but for the people I work with.
Our first session is typically an intake session where I spend time getting to know you, your history, what brings you to therapy, and what goals you may have for yourself. My approach is very laid back, personable, and conversational, so while I will be asking questions to better understand you, there is no pressure to have everything figured out right away. You are always welcome to ask me questions as well so we can determine whether we are a good fit. As we continue meeting, we will begin developing treatment goals together and figuring out what approaches and tools best support your needs. While sessions do have structure and direction, I also try to create a space that feels relaxed, collaborative, and adaptable to what you may need that day.
One of my greatest strengths as a clinician is my genuine curiosity and passion for understanding people on a deeper level. I truly look forward to stepping into your world, hearing your story, and helping you put the pieces together in a way that feels meaningful and validating. I bring a creative, open-minded, and out-of-the-box perspective to therapy, often considering multiple angles and approaches to help clients better understand themselves, their patterns, and their experiences. At my core, I strive to create a space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood without judgment. I am naturally empathetic and deeply invested in helping people make sense of the things they may have struggled to process, identify, or articulate on their own.
Many of the people who find their way to me are thoughtful, self-aware individuals who are harder on themselves than anyone else could ever be. They often struggle with anxiety, ADHD, or a constant inner voice that says they should be doing more, doing better, or doing things perfectly. They set high standards for themselves, but somehow feel like they never quite meet them. Some days they feel motivated and capable. Other days they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like they’ve fallen behind again. Many of my clients also experience all-or-nothing thinking. If they can’t do something the “right way,” they struggle to start at all. They may start routines with excitement for journaling, working out, organizing their life, but when it doesn’t go perfectly, shame creeps in and the routine falls apart. This cycle can feel exhausting. A lot of people I work with wouldn’t call themselves perfectionists at first. In fact, many identify more as Type B personalities. But underneath that relaxed exterior is often a quiet belief that they should somehow already have everything figured out. Together, we work on softening that inner critic, understanding the patterns keeping you stuck, and building a life that feels more compassionate, sustainable, and authentic.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in my practice to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and life experiences. I work collaboratively with clients to identify core beliefs and thinking patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, ADHD, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, or feeling stuck. My approach helps clients build awareness, challenge unhelpful patterns, and develop healthier coping strategies that feel realistic and sustainable in everyday life.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I often use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with clients who struggle with emotional regulation, overwhelm, relationship conflict, communication difficulties, and stress management. DBT incorporates mindfulness and practical coping skills to help clients become more aware of their emotions, reactions, and behavioral patterns without judgment. In my practice, I provide psychoeducation and use visual resources and worksheets to help clients better understand concepts such as distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and mindfulness so they can apply these skills more confidently in their everyday lives and relationships.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I frequently incorporate mindfulness-based therapy into sessions to help clients slow down, become more present, and build awareness of their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and nervous system responses. Mindfulness often requires intentionally stepping away from distractions and creating space to reconnect with yourself, which can feel challenging in a fast-paced and overstimulating world. In my practice, I help clients develop practical mindfulness skills that support emotional regulation, stress reduction, self-awareness, and the ability to respond more intentionally rather than react automatically.