Hello! I'm a licensed therapist based in Pittsburgh, PA, ready to walk alongside you on your journey of self-discovery. My approach is grounded in empathy and understanding, creating a safe and supportive space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or simply a desire to improve your wellness, I'm here to listen, understand, and guide you toward a more fulfilling life.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The goal of our first session is mainly to see if working together feels like a good fit. Typically, that will look like a conversation about your background and experiences. I usually ask more questions in the first session than the rest. The main things I will focus on include: (1) Understanding Your Needs - We'll discuss your reasons for seeking therapy and what you hope to achieve. I'll ask you questions about your history, current challenges, and coping mechanisms. This information will help me understand your unique needs and tailor our sessions accordingly, (2) Creating a Treatment Plan - Based on our discussion, we'll develop a personalized treatment plan that outlines our goals and the strategies we'll use to achieve them, and (3) Building Rapport - trust and comfort take time and effort from both you and your therapist. By being open and honest, actively participating in the therapeutic process, and trusting in the relationship, you can create a strong foundation for healing and growth. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about the therapeutic process, my approach, or anything else that comes to mind. Remember, this is YOUR therapy and the first session is a collaborative effort. I'm here to listen, understand, and support you.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths lie in my ability to connect deeply with others and offer unwavering support. I believe in creating a safe and non-judgmental space where you can freely explore your thoughts and feelings. By actively listening and validating your experiences, I strive to foster a therapeutic relationship built on trust and empathy. I will always show up with integrity and authenticity, meaning I will make mistakes from time to time, and I will also be accountable. I encourage people to be less hard on themselves with encouragement, support, and reminders of our shared humanness. If being hard on yourself was going to work, it would've worked already!
About Alex Bieger
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Imagine an environment where you're in the driver's seat, navigating your thoughts and feelings with guidance, not direction. That's the essence of person-centered counseling. With this approach, I believe you possess the answers within yourself. My role is to create a safe place where you can explore your own thoughts and experiences without judgment. I'll listen supportively and attentively, reflecting your thoughts and feelings back to you so you can gain clarity and hopefully some new perspective. Here's how person-centered therapy is used in my work: 1. Unconditional Positive Regard: I accept you exactly as you are, with all your strengths and vulnerabilities. This non-judgmental space allows you to be authentic. In other words, this is the radical belief that we are all doing our best with the tools available to us. As we can do better, we do! 2. Empathy: I strive to understand your perspective, stepping into your shoes to feel how you are feeling and experiencing. This deep connection fosters trust and opens the door to self-discovery. 3. Genuineness: I'm honest and transparent in our interactions, building a foundation of authenticity. This allows for genuine connection and fosters a sense of trust. I will accompany you as you embark on a journey of self-awareness and personal growth. You'll learn to trust your insights and develop the tools to navigate life's challenges more resiliently. Remember, you're the expert on your own life. I'm here to support you on your path to healing and well-being, how YOU define them.
Gestalt
Gestalt therapy is a unique approach that focuses on the here and now, rather than dwelling on the past or future. It views the individual as a whole, encompassing thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. I believe real change happens in the present moment, when we create it. As we build awareness of ourselves, others, and the environment around us, we become more empowered to create changes in our lives. The goal is to help you become more aware of your present experiences and to integrate these experiences into a more complete sense of self. In Gestalt therapy, I'll encourage you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in the moment, and we might use a variety of exercises to help that exploration. These include body awareness exercises, unfinished business work (empty chair technique, two-chair dialogue, cathartic correspondence), and dreamwork, among others.
Narrative
Imagine your life as a book, with many different stories within it. Some chapters may be more challenging than others, but each one contributes to the overall narrative of your life. In narrative therapy, we'll work together to explore these stories and rewrite them in a way that empowers you. Instead of focusing on problems, we'll focus on your strengths and resources. We'll identify the positive aspects of your life and the times you've overcome challenges. By retelling your story, we can shift the focus from the problem to the person, highlighting your resilience and capacity for growth.