Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 8 ratings

Alina Scott

LCSW, 4 years of experience

Warm
Empowering
Open-minded

About me

Hi, my name is Alina Scott and I dedicated and compassionate therapist committed to helping individuals identify their strengths help guide them through life's challenges. Throughout my career, I have worked in different setting to address and support clients various mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. My approach is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and a deep respect for each client's unique experiences and strengths.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions of each of us, then dive into the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions. My biggest goal in our first session is creating an environment of safety and trust.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

As a provider, I believe my biggest strength is my empathy and care for my clients. Over the last several years I have worked with individuals of all walks of life and I find value and learn new things from my clients everyday.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

As a therapist, I am best positioned to serve clients who are motivated to make positive changes in their lives and are open to engaging in therapy to address their challenges. I have experience working with individuals across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and presenting concerns. However, I particularly excel in working with young adults in transition, depression and esteem conflicts, anxiety and stress management, trauma survivors, and individuals with family conflicts.

Specialties

Top specialties

Depression

I identify as

Serves ages

Teenagers (13 to 17)

My treatment methods

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centered approach to fostering behavior change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. Grounded in empathy and collaboration, MI helps clients uncover their motivations for change and develop personalized strategies to achieve their goals. Through active listening, reflective questioning, and eliciting "change talk," practitioners empower clients to explore the pros and cons of change while supporting their autonomy and self-direction. Rather than imposing solutions, MI encourages practitioners to guide clients in discovering their own solutions and strengths. By rolling with resistance and reinforcing progress, MI cultivates a supportive environment for sustainable behavior change.

Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation is a cornerstone of mental health practice, offering vital knowledge and skills to individuals navigating various mental health challenges. Through tailored information sharing, it equips clients with a deeper understanding of their conditions, normalizing their experiences and fostering a sense of empowerment. By teaching practical coping strategies and communication skills, psychoeducation enables clients to actively participate in their treatment journey, promoting self-advocacy and resilience. By incorporating cultural sensitivity and individual preferences, psychoeducation ensures accessibility and relevance for diverse populations. Whether delivered in individual sessions, group therapy, or through educational materials, it aims to enhance clients' overall well-being. By involving family members and support systems, it fosters a collaborative approach to healing, strengthening interpersonal relationships and support networks. Continuous evaluation ensures the effectiveness of psychoeducation interventions, allowing for adjustments to meet evolving client needs.

Strength-Based

Strength-based therapy is a transformative approach that highlights the inherent strengths and capabilities of individuals, guiding them towards personal growth and resilience. Rather than dwelling on weaknesses or deficits, this method focuses on identifying and harnessing one's unique assets to navigate life's challenges and achieve meaningful goals. Through collaborative goal setting and tailored interventions, clients are empowered to leverage their strengths across various aspects of their lives, from relationships to career pursuits. By fostering a positive and strengths-oriented mindset, this therapy cultivates a sense of agency, self-worth, and purpose in clients, leading to enhanced well-being and fulfillment. Therapists employing this approach utilize strengths-based language and continuous assessment to adapt interventions according to the evolving needs and progress of their clients. Ultimately, strength-based therapy encourages individuals to embrace their innate abilities, celebrate their achievements, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment.

Attachment-based

Attachment-based therapy is a transformative approach rooted in understanding how early relationships shape our emotional and relational patterns. In my practice, I employ this method to guide clients towards healing and growth in their connections with others. Through compassionate exploration, we delve into clients' attachment histories, identifying patterns that influence their current relationships. By nurturing a safe and supportive therapeutic alliance, I create an environment where clients feel empowered to explore vulnerable emotions and experiences. Together, we work to repair attachment wounds by providing corrective emotional experiences within the therapeutic relationship, fostering healing and resilience. Additionally, I assist clients in developing new relationship skills and coping strategies that promote secure attachment and emotional well-being. As clients integrate insights and skills gained in therapy, they often experience profound shifts in their relationships, leading to greater intimacy, satisfaction, and emotional fulfillment. Attachment-based therapy offers a pathway to understanding oneself and building healthier, more fulfilling connections with others, ultimately facilitating profound personal transformation.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective and evidence-based therapeutic approach aimed at helping individuals overcome a wide range of psychological challenges. In my practice, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of CBT in empowering clients to understand and change their thought patterns and behaviors. Through collaborative exploration, clients learn to identify and challenge unhelpful thinking styles known as cognitive distortions, which often contribute to emotional distress. By replacing these distortions with more balanced and realistic perspectives, clients experience relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Additionally, CBT incorporates behavioral techniques such as exposure therapy and behavioral activation to help clients gradually confront fears and engage in rewarding activities, leading to increased confidence and motivation. Homework assignments between sessions reinforce learned skills and encourage continued progress. Regular monitoring of progress allows for adjustments to treatment as needed, ensuring that clients receive personalized and effective care. Overall, CBT provides a structured and practical framework for promoting lasting change and improving overall well-being.

Location

Virtual

Licensed in

Accepts

Cash - $150 per sessionAetnaAetna - MedicareAetna - WebTPAAll SaversAnthemAvMedBlue CrossBlue Cross Blue ShieldBlue ShieldBlue Shield (MHSA) MagellanBlue Shield of California - Medi-CalBlue Shield of California - MedicareBlue Shield of California Promise Health Plan (Medi-Cal)CalViva Health (Medi-Cal)Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)CignaCommunity Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal)EAP:CignaEAP:EvernorthEAP:UnitedHealthcare/OptumEvernorthGold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)Golden RuleHarvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcareHealth Net (Medi-Cal)Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-CalHumana - MedicareHumana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)L.A. Care CoveredL.A. Care Covered DirectL.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)L.A. Care PASC-SEIUOptumOptumHealth Complex Medical ConditionsOscarOxfordPartnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)Santa Clara Family Health Plan - Medi-CalScripps Health PlanSharp Health PlanSurest (formerly Bind)Tufts Health/CignaUnited Medical ResourcesUnitedHealthcare Life InsuranceUnitedHealthcare Shared ServicesUnitedHealthcare StudentResourcesUnitedHealthcare/OptumUnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 8 ratings

1 rating with written reviews

May 4, 2025

I really love Alina as my therapist because she talks to me in a way that she can relate. She always relays back to me what I’m saying to assure me that she is paying attention. She remembers everything I’ve told her in past sessions, which makes me feel seen and heard. Without her, I honestly don’t know where I would be. I really appreciate her.

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 24 with Alina