With 30 plus years of experience, you will find me accessible, nonjudgmental, and yet, very direct. My approach is collaborative, so I encourage you to be an active voice in your process of change, after all, you are the expert in your own life. If you feel as if you have to recreate your past, I am not the right therapist for you. If you are tired of repeating the same unhealthy patterns, be brave and let me help you overcome what you once thought was insurmountable. Change is possible when you believe in yourself.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, I encourage you to ask any questions that you may have first. It is important that you feel safe and comfortable, and that I am a good fit for you. I will ask you introduction questions to learn some basic things about you before asking you, "What brings you here today?" Some clients may have experience with therapy in the past, so I like to ask them what worked and did not work for them to help me understand what I can do that best serves their needs. Most importantly, I always tell my clients at our first meeting that the session is about them, and for them, and that my feelings are not the priority. If for any reason they are not comfortable, they do not need to explain why or continue. In this case, I would provide any support needed to help them find a therapist that may work better for them.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My 30 plus years as a professional with diverse working experience with many populations in multiple settings, is definitely my greatest strength. As a seasoned therapist, I have learned that every client is a completely new and unique relationship to be valued and treated with respect and nonjudgment. I have witnessed the positive results of my respectful curiosity, acknowledgment, empathy, objectivity, congruence, regard, and direct approach to providing skills. Sometimes, I share humor with a client, or even become teary eyed. I am passionate and there with my clients when we first meet, and throughout their process of change. Our collaboration creates a powerful sense of accomplishment for each one of us.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I love to work with adults who have overcome many challenges in their lives, and yet, are passionate about what they can do to be a better version of themselves. They may be stuck in old patterns of coping that no longer provide relief, or feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or depression, or be in a cycle of unhealthy relationship patterns. With my support, they can learn new healthy coping skills and ways to see themselves in relationships. I enjoy collaborating with my clients to help them prioritize what is important to them and learn to set healthy boundaries and build on their strength and resources.
About Dr Dee Lexandra
Appointments
Virtual
My treatment methods
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
As in all of my treatment focus, I begin with each client in a nonjudgmental manner directed by meeting them where their needs are. This is a "here and now" focused approach to positive change in unhealthy patterns in your life. While historical trauma, or learned unhealthy patterns may have originated in your early life and be the source of your being "stuck in unhealthy patterns" today, this treatment focus builds on your strength, resources, and resiliency today. A focus on the past from a resiliency perspective enables self awareness and acceptance of what cannot change and the strength to change what you can today.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
By addressing how your negative or unrealistic thought patterns are impacting your emotions, this treatment approach allows perceptions and distorted thinking to be redirected to healthier and more realistic cognitive thinking. This process can help stabilize your moods. This is a skill based step approach to increase self awareness often used to help cope with anxiety and depression.
Couples Counseling
My approach to couple counseling is a skill based coach approach to help understand and change negative relationship patterns. Often communication is the major issue that exacerbates misunderstandings and defensive responses from each partner. The objective perspective of a coach can help to break this cycle and provide skills that can redirect this unhealthy relationship pattern. Whether a couple is seeking pre-martial guidance, the impact of major life changes, e.g., birth of a first child, or support while consciously uncoupling, my approach is direct and collaborative, focusing on the synergy of the couple as the client with the partnership as the expert in "their relationship." I do not accept insurance for this service and charge $150 per 45 minutes for virtual only sessions.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
This model of treatment focuses on acceptance of all your experiences in life including pain, grief, disappointment, illness and anxiety as fundamental features of human life, "with the therapeutic goal of helping you productively adapt to these type of challenges by developing greater psychological flexibility rather than engaging in counterproductive attempts to eliminate or suppress undesirable experiences. . . This is pursued by psychological flexibility and uses six primary components: cognitive defusion, acceptance, self as context, contact with the present moment, values, and committed action." (NCBI, 2023).
Motivational Interviewing
In this model of treatment, I use open-ended questions to explore your experiences in a nonjudgmental manner. My goal is to affirm your experiences and use reflective listening to collaborate with you where you see possibilities for change. Each session is summarized to help you reflect and build on what is revealed in this interactive approach.
