Hello, and thank you for considering me and your journey towards healing and wellness! My name is Alex and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Alaska and Florida. I studied at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and have over eight years providing therapy in community mental health and private practice. I have a strong background treating trauma, emotional disturbances, and family issues with children and adolescents, but I also have a passion for treating unresolved trauma and mental health challenges with adults. I strive to help clients discover and experience better health, better relationships, and a better quality of life overall!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
As I get started with a new client, I work to develop a full understanding of what's bothering them, where they want to be, and what may be interfering with them reaching that place. Gathering this understanding initially takes 1 to 2 hours, and is an ongoing process throughout the rest of treatment. I work with a client's values and experiences to determine an appropriate direction for treatment with a focus on addressing their physical health, mental health, social supports, systems of care, and spiritual wellbeing (when applicable).
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My ultimate goal in therapy is to support comfort, healing, and wellness throughout the entire process. I treat the whole person and not just the surface-level issues. I don't view clients from a belief of, "What's wrong with you?" Instead, I focus on, "What happened to you?" I treat the roots of learned problematic thoughts and behaviors that interfere with effective beliefs, choices, and routines. I believe every behavior serves a purpose, and I work to help clients understand that purpose so they can better understand how to meet their needs.
About Alex Pendrey
Specializes in
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have been trained and using DBT for various clinical presentations, including mood disorders, personality disorders, and substance abuse/addictions. I have practice DBT with children, adolescence, and adults to support various needs and effective behaviors.
Motivational Interviewing
I am training using Motivational Interviewing to support clients in identifying where they are at in the change process and areas of change they are willing to explore. Motivational Interviewing is frequently used throughout the therapy process to explore barriers to change originating from shame, lack of awareness, lack of understanding, and disagreement. Motivational Interviewing is also used to develop and reinforce the therapeutic alliance through the change process.
Trauma-Focused CBT
I have been trained in TF-CBT and have used it to help address trauma of children and their families to overcome problematic symptoms of diverse traumas. I engage the client and their caregiver(s) throughout the entirety of TF-CBT treatment.
Trauma Informed Care
I have treated trauma for over eight years, with a background treating adverse childhood experiences, childhood trauma, abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, and financial), persistent/chronic trauma, and critical events. I use various modalities to support trauma-informed care, including the ARC Framework for families with traumatized youth, TF-CBT, EMDR interventions, somatic-based interventions, mindfulness-based interventions, Holistic Therapy, and Integrative Therapy.
Eclectic
I have a background in community mental health where I treated various age ranges, clinical presentations, and populations for over 8 years. I have used multiple therapy approaches to meet diverse needs and adjust therapy accordingly to provide individualized care for each client, their families, and their support systems.