Hi there—I'm so glad you're here and excited to get to know you! My name is Alaina, and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Art Therapist. I am passionate about helping people become the best version of themselves, feel empowered, and get their spark back. I graduated magna cum laude from Nazareth University in 2018 with my Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy and obtained my Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor license in February 2022 (MH#20327). I am also a Qualified Supervisor in the State of Florida and truly enjoy supporting the next generation of therapists as they find their wings and grow into confident, compassionate clinicians. Since 2018, I have provided compassionate, evidence-based therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. I work with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral challenges, and relationship difficulties. I am trained in EMDR, R-TEP, G-TEP, and Trauma-Focused CBT, and I integrate these approaches with Art Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. Drawing on eight years of clinical experience, I help clients process trauma, build coping skills, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen self-awareness. I take an eclectic, creative approach and thoughtfully adapt therapy to meet each client where they are, empowering growth, resilience, and meaningful change. When I'm not in session, you might find me curled up with my dog or cats, reading a good book, binge-watching my favorite show, or getting competitive with my family while playing board games, cards, or Mario! I love to jam out to music, draw and paint, cook tasty meals and bake! I enjoy walks with my family, sunsets, and a good thunder storm. I am a Florida transplant and hail from New York State. Some of my favorite past-times include downhill skiing, water skiing, going for relaxing boat rides, and riding horses with my family.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other and ensure 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.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What sets me apart is my 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, I integrate the healing power of art-making with traditional talk therapy, helping clients express themselves, work through difficult or stressful experiences, build coping skills, and grow in confidence. I am EMDR trained (including R-TEP and G-TEP), offering one of the most research-supported treatments for trauma, and am experienced in responding to both individual and community-wide traumatic events. In addition to trauma, EMDR is highly effective for treating other mental health disorders such as grief, anxiety, OCD, phobias, etc. My years working in schools, in an ABA classroom with children on the Autism Spectrum (ASD), and at the local Children’s Advocacy Center have given me 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. It is important to me to be hands-on, engaging, and approachable and go to lengths to take the time to get to know the specific needs of you and your family. I have extensive experience working with adults, children and teens while actively involving parents, offering practical insights for parenting and behavior management when needed. I am not afraid to gently challenge clients, advocate for your needs, and empower you to create meaningful change in your life.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Do you ever feel like you’ve been trying so hard to hold everything together and you aren't sure where to even start? Maybe you are feeling weighed down by anxiety, sadness, irritability, or big emotions that feel impossible to manage. Focus and motivation are slipping, relationships feel strained, or past experiences keep getting in the way of moving forward. It’s exhausting — but 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.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
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
EMDR
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.
Experiential Therapy
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 (Rogerian)
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
Psychoeducation
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.