At 18 I was blessed to have a therapist who knew exactly how to talk to me and what to say, even if he was injecting humor into a humorless situation. I help my clients to let the trust and rapport build over the first few session, during which I start to pick the tools I'll use to stabilize and then engage in a more meaningful, psychodynamic way. I am a Rogerian and Existential therapist, which translates into unconditional positive regard for my clients, the action of highlighting any success, even if it's a small one, and building on pre-existing strengths. I am meeting my clients where they're at - wherever they are on life's journey, and my intention is to travel down that road along with them, opening each door, witnessing the pain, but always experiencing these challenges together so that the therapist is holding the space and creating a safe parameter within which symptoms, cognitive distortions, and trauma can be processed. I encourage clients to show up for their appointments as continuity is key to success when dealing with mental health issues.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
I try to tell clients a little bit about me: what brought me to this profession, how I benefited from therapy at key times in my life, and highlight the sacred relationship of therapist and client that impacts one's growth and can change their reality to align with how they define their best self. I ask that they set the pace of disclosure, as this work can be difficult. I see clients as the expert on themselves, so I never judge clients understanding of experiences or decisions, but will challenge them to make changes to reach stated goals, even if it happens in small increments. I ask for feedback so I know what's working and what's not working. I am a strengths based, trauma focused clinician and will be available to them throughout our time working together, especially if they're in crisis and need support outside of our sessions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have utilized my own past struggles to develop accurate empathy which clients have expressed being an essential value which I'm often told they've never experienced with other providers. I am always able to find common values with my clients, allowing me to form a healthy attachment with them in a relatively short time frame. I often engage in reflective listening, and when appropriate, follow up with challenging how they see themself if they look at a problem through a new lens, often clearing up cognitive distortions and highlighting their inner strength, motivation, and empowerment as we work together.
About Alex Weil
Specializes in
Licensed in
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
Alex uses various therapeutic modalities (existential therapy, strength-based interventions, unconditional positive regard) and believes consistent therapy can help relieve the psychic pain so many are facing during these challenging times. Alex values the sacred relationship between himself and his clients, and always strives to support clients to live their ideal quality of life - he is committed to take that journey with his clients, utilizing his vast experience to hold space for individuals to feel supported through their pain, and happiness.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Alex utilizes an an approach of action, encouraging clients to utilize the interventions, skills, and insight practiced in session throughout their entire week. He often gives clients activities to complete in between sessions, allowing clients to feel like they are making progress at any given time, and not just in session. Alex will address any serious symptoms or situations his clients come to the initial session with, and from the start helps his clients build skills so they can best address issues interfering with living their best life and increasing their ability to engage in the therapy process.
Couples Counseling
I have worked with many couples, up to several years - with positive outcomes (mariage, kids). However, the paradox of couples counseling through a breakup can afford relief when communication comes from the heart, and where each partners insight ideally synthesises both parts in the couples relations, working through find working through a separation with a therapist can result in a insight and maintaining a relationship post termination that is thoughtful and considerate of others, especially when there are children involved. I've also work with clients who've lost their loved one to disease, overdoses, and suicide.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use DBT skills for clients with a wide range if sxs including anxiety, labile emotions, inappropriate or incongruent reactions to events ppl otherwise would behave without needing to use grounding exercises. Since trauma and Borderline Personality (and other Personality Disorders) often have similar presentations, I find it important to utilize these skills when first working with a client to stabilize any crisi they may be experiencing. , I find these skills are very usefu, help clients prepare for and close out sessions where trauma was being addressed. Often helps with cycling thoughts of negative content, internal voice of others or own, usually stating critical and untrue statements with client then struggling to understand how to identify with their feelings, and why they react in such a way that pushes others away, when they identify the other individual as the one with affect control.
Trauma Informed Care
Many clients i've worked with over the years have experienced trauma but either didn't realize it was a traumatic experience, the experience was their fault in some way, and client is often retraumatized on a reular basis for a variety od reason including living with perpetrator. Psychoeducation, mindfulness exercises, reframing self-judgement, and relearning how to manage being exposed to the traume can be part of the work.
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