LMHC, 7 years of experience
I have significant experience working with youth (6+) through adults, in multiple forms of therapy, whether it be individual, couples, group, and/or family therapy sessions. Through my career, I have worked at several long-term addiction treatment facilities, multiple schools (K-12), group homes, as well as in private practice. I have experience using a variety of treatment modalities, including art therapy, play therapy (children), mindfulness/meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy (especially Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy).
A first session typically will involve getting to know one another and gathering necessary information to ensure the ability to create an individualized treatment plan (so as not to miss any significant contributing factors to symptoms and intake goals). For clients experiencing distressing symptoms, I always teach a few coping and/or self-soothing techniques during the first session, as well as try to balance my intake goals with any of my client's goals for a first session.
I have been told my greatest strengths include being an excellent listener with a great memory, as well as being good at intuiting problems and putting words to complex and challenging internal experiences. I am wildly non-judgemental and often connect with clients through a combination of empathy, compassion, and understanding. I deeply respect different cultures, values, and worldviews and always work to honor these with each person I seek to help.
I have considerable experience working with children and adolescents, as well as adults. I enjoy helping clients reclaim their own power, especially when they may not even realize that this is something contributing to their problems. I have worked with and helped clients who have serious mental health challenges, including everything from multiple co-occurring disorders to minor relationship challenges; however, if I ever believe that there is an issue or challenge that arises which I am not competent at treating, I am very comfortable sharing this and helping my client find another provider who is.
3 ratings with written reviews
August 4, 2025
So far first call I felt very understood and Welcomed
July 18, 2025
So helpful in providing resources, explaining treatment, and asking questions!
April 30, 2025
Alan was highly recommended to me by another one of his clients. He is very informative and helpful. He is also wonderful at explaining different cognitive strategies and providing useful tips to manage stress. He brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge that greatly surpasses other providers I have seen in the past.
For mood disorders, REBT is among the most researched and empirically validated forms of psychotherapy. The founder, Albert Ellis, honed the process over decades in response to research about its effectiveness, changing it from RET to REBT. It focuses on learning a brief process to help gain awareness and insight, as well as identify and replacing any self-defeating beliefs and behaviors with more adaptive and constructive ones.
I have found that, for many clients, providing education about human biology (brain anatomy, nervous system response), as well as sharing relevant, peer-reviewed research, often helps to increase awareness, self-compassion, and finding healthier perspectives to understand why certain symptoms continue to occur, as well as how to work with one's body rather than against it.
Identifying possible choices, solutions, and options can be empowering, especially when coupled with values clarification work.