LMHC, 7 years of experience
New to Grow
Since 2018, Alaina has provided compassionate, evidence-based therapy to children, adolescents, and adults, with a focus on trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral challenges, and relationship difficulties. She is trained in EMDR, R-TEP, G-TEP, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and integrates these with Art Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches to support healing and growth. Drawing on over 7 years of clinical experience, she helps clients process trauma, develop coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen self-awareness. Her eclectic, creative approach empowers clients to build resilience and become the best version of themselves.
In our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other and making sure you feel comfortable. I’ll explain confidentiality so you know how your privacy is protected, and then we’ll talk about what’s been bringing you (or your child) to therapy. Together, we’ll go over important history, current concerns, and what your ideal goals for therapy might look like. This first meeting is also a chance for you to ask questions and see if I feel like the right fit for you. By the end of the session, we’ll begin shaping a plan for your treatment — guided by your goals — and talk about what frequency of sessions (weekly, biweekly, etc.) feels best.
What sets Alaina apart is her ability to combine creativity with evidence-based practices to create a well-rounded and effective therapeutic experience. As a licensed mental health counselor and creative arts therapist, she integrates the healing power of art-making with traditional talk therapy, helping clients express themselves, process difficult experiences, build coping skills, and grow in confidence. She is EMDR trained (including R-TEP and G-TEP), offering one of the most research-supported treatments for trauma, and is experienced in responding to both individual and community-wide traumatic events. Her years working in schools and at a Children’s Advocacy Center have given her extensive experience supporting children, families, and survivors of abuse and violence, as well as a deep understanding of how schools can partner in a child’s success. Known for being hands-on, engaging, and approachable, she is skilled at working with adults, children and teens while actively involving parents, offering practical insights for parenting and behavior management when needed. At the same time, she is not afraid to gently challenge clients, advocate for their needs, and empower them to create meaningful change.
You’ve been trying so hard to hold everything together. Maybe you are feeling weighed down by anxiety, sadness, irritability, or big emotions that feel impossible to manage. Perhaps focus and motivation are slipping, relationships feel strained, or past experiences keep getting in the way of moving forward. It’s exhausting — and you don’t have to do it alone. In our work together, you’ll find a safe, supportive space to process what you’ve been through, build healthy coping skills, and strengthen your ability to manage life’s challenges. Whether it’s healing from trauma, finding calm in the middle of worry, or helping your child feel more confident and connected, therapy can help you move toward resilience, balance, and lasting growth.
I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you notice the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Together, we’ll look at unhelpful patterns of thinking and learn new ways of coping. This can give you more control over your emotions and choices in everyday life. When trauma or very stressful experiences are part of your story, I use TF-CBT, which is a version of CBT specially designed to help people heal from those events. We’ll work at a pace that feels safe for you, focusing on building coping skills, reducing distress, and gently processing those difficult memories so they don’t have the same power over you
In our sessions, I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to help the brain reprocess difficult memories so they no longer feel as overwhelming. This approach supports healing from trauma, but it can also be very effective for anxiety, OCD, grief, and other challenges. EMDR helps reduce distress and create more space for calm, balance, and resilience.
I often use art therapy as an experiential approach, giving you a safe, creative outlet to explore thoughts and feelings that may be hard to put into words. Through drawing, painting, or other art-making, we can process emotions, reduce stress, and support healing in a hands-on, meaningful way—no art skills required.
Person-centered therapy means that our work together is guided by your needs, goals, and pace. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and understood. Instead of me telling you what to do, we’ll collaborate so you can gain clarity, build on your strengths, and move toward the changes you want to see
I use psychoeducation in therapy to help you better understand what you’re experiencing—whether it’s anxiety, trauma, stress, or another challenge. By learning about how the brain and body respond, as well as practical coping tools, you can feel more empowered and confident in managing your symptoms and supporting your own healing.