LPC, 6 years of experience
New to Grow
Hi there! My name is Alexandra, some people like to shorten my name and that's ok with me--they call me "Ali", pronounced like Alley Cat. If I would have continued with my original career trajectory, you would have caught me on Broadway, but lucky for us, that all changed. To be honest; I began my masters in counseling to help unwrap my own mystery. After experiencing brokenness personally, I was inspired to find a way to help others. Being a wounded healer, counseling seemed perfect. I could use my skills of empathy and listening more than talking, with a combination of personality traits that include warmth, curiosity, a tad of goofiness, a lover of peoples stories, a fierce advocate and driven by the resurrection of the human spirit. For me, becoming a therapist was a real 2 for 1; I could learn more about myself and also have the gift of learning others stories and helping them heal. I am a masters-level Clinical Mental Health Therapist. I have worked in a variety of settings and different cities doing clinical therapy. My career started in non-profit work with individuals of varying races, genders and ages. Next I worked at a private practice with clients who were going through a variety of struggles including ADHD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and dependence, sex addiction, personality disorders and general life stressors. I have had the pleasure of meeting people in their own environment in mobile crisis intervention and Assertive Community Treatment. After spending years honing my skills and working for others, I decided to become an independent therapist, running my own practice. This is where you meet me. Nice to meet you! The pleasure is entirely mine.
At our first session, I will do what is called an "Intake." This is an in-depth way that I can get to know foundational things and extremely important things, right away. For example, it's a big deal that I know about health conditions you have or medications you take. It can also be pertinent for me to know about your belief system, your family, and briefly touch on history of trauma. This appointment is filled to the brim because we also need to identify what your hopes and goals are for therapy. Naturally, this 60 minutes of getting to know you will help you figure out if you feel like I'm a good fit for you. Then, we wrap up by scheduling our next appointment. Quick, easy and painless. Well, hopefully it's a wonderful joy for us both since you are my dream client.
What makes me unique is my calm demeanor. I have spoken to other individuals in the helping profession and sometimes they rush through conversations or are as abrasive as sand paper. When you speak to me and when you feel your feelings in my presence, I am much like a smooth river reflecting back at you feelings of validation, understanding, and non-judgement. Therapy is not a race, it is like a peaceful boat ride on that smooth river, where we meet each other in serenity. If at any point the waters become wild, I will be your solid ground. You may have noticed that my mind tends to use imagery, well let me just leave you with this one; there is nothing more beautiful than seeing your growth look like a spring flower, blooming into new life.
Dear Dream Client, I know you have been also hoping to meet me, your Dream Therapist. Let me tell you how I know that we will work so well together: You find yourself to be a bit of an overthinker about one or more topics in your life. When you get the opportunity to meet with me for our sessions, you are ready to engage in conversation about something at the forefront of your mind; it either took place in your past, it's happening now, or you find yourself considering it in your future. When you think of therapy, you think; maybe I'll do this for a month, or maybe I'll do this for the rest of my life. Well, I'm here to tell you, Dream Client, that all of that is possible. I am a virtual therapist who can meet you no matter where you are, and no matter where I am. I am licensed in Michigan and working on getting licensed in other states, so if you move, we should always be covered to see one another. As you change zip codes, I can always come with you. And that's the other thing I should mention; that will be my greatest joy, is walking next to you as you travel, sojourner.
I am a Rogerian, Person-Centered therapist which has three main pieces of importance: 1. Unconditional positive regard, meaning I will always accept you no matter what, without judgement. 2. Empathy, meaning I feel what you are going through as if I were experiencing it myself, and I convey that to you during our sessions. 3. Congruent, meaning I am real, authentic and genuine in our relationship. I am not a robot nor am I putting on a fake facade. This is my formula to create a lasting and meaningful therapeutic relationship that will allow you to trust me and feel comfortable sharing your life with me.