dear sweet anxious human, you’ve come to the right place.
HI, I’M ALI
Licensed Psychotherapist, Trauma Expert, Community Leader, & Business Coach, who’s ready to help you change your life.
Tired of feeling stuck, repeating the same patterns over and over? Ready to finally have the support and security that you have yearned for? Let’s get started.
who are my people?
My typical clients are successful in many ways, but they do not easily feel happy, healthy, and relaxed in their success. Their emotions are often in the driver’s seat, causing problems left and right, and they just can’t get control. If you can relate here at all, you’re in the right place. The drop-downs of my specialties may be triggering for some. Before reading further, please take precautions to be sure you’re regulated enough to handle a possible trigger.
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You likely had a complicated childhood and have struggled connecting with friends and partners for as long as you can remember. You might find it difficult to fully trust others, maintain intimate connections, or feel secure in your relationships, with no idea on how to change your results. You may find yourself thinking...
"I can't text him so much. We just met, and I don't want him to see me as clingy."
"I'll never get too close to her because then I'll lose all of my independence."
"They're everything I've ever wanted in a partner, but I just can't seem to fully trust them."
Whether your attachment wounds have made your attachment style anxious, avoidant, or disorganized, therapy can help. -
You likely have a mind that has trouble keeping quiet. Intrusive thoughts are constantly making you ruminate and worry. Your sleep, appetite, and relationships may be impacted. You may be thinking...
"I feel like I'm constantly on edge, even when there's no reason to be.""I can't stop worrying about everything. It's exhausting."
"What if I have a panic attack while I'm driving?"
"I'm so afraid of making mistakes. What if I mess everything up?"
The fears take up so much space, and you just want to feel "normal." Your brain has trouble seeing the glass half full and feeling safe, and you're ready to change that. -
For anyone that grew up with neglectful or abusive (even well-meaning) parents, those psychological scars can last a lifetime without help.
You may feel your parents did the best they could, and also have a deep knowing that your childhood impacted you in many negative ways. Maybe Mom and Dad fought and yelled regularly or Mom and Dad just never understood your emotions -- so many child-parent interactions can create trauma wounds that follow you into adulthood.
These wounds can look like unfulfilled relationships, lack of confidence, feeling stuck in hypervigilance ("I can never feel relaxed in my body"), or even serious concerns like suicidality or chronic depression. You may have thoughts like...
"Why do I feel like I'm never good enough?""I have to be perfect or everyone will leave me."
"I don't deserve to be happy."
"It's my fault that bad things happen."
"I can't rely on others; I have to handle everything myself."
Trauma knows no bounds, and it's impact on your nervous system can be severe. You're ready to take back your life to feel more confident, be a little kinder to yourself, and have more success in relationships and work. -
The world is loud, busy, and fast paced, and you find this very painful and hard to manage. Youlikely feel everything deeply and often have strong emotions. You may also tend to get overwhelmed easily, which can look like irritability others. Your thoughts may sound like...
"Something is wrong with me. Why can everyone else manage life perfectly fine, but I'm always struggling? I can never catch up."
"Why am I so bothered by large crowds and loud noises, but everyone else seems to be having a good time?"
"Why can't I just do this perfectly? What in the world is wrong with me?"
There's actually nothing wrong with you. High sensitivity, or Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), is a normal trait found in 15-20% of people. Having this neurotype makes life a lot harder for us, but therapy is wonderful place to determine how to best meet your body's needs. -
Neurodiversity is a framework that embraces unique differences in the brain. Brain and body differences are completely normal, not deficits. The neurodivergent community offers distinctive and valuable contributions to society that are often overlooked. In my work, neurodiverse voices are prioritized and celebrated.
Neurodiversity is not synonymous with disability, though it can be experienced as disabling to you as an individual. You may experience your neurodiversity as a challenge and struggle to feel comfortable and accepted in your community. You may find yourself saying...
"Why can't I just behave like everyone else?"
"Why does my brain do this to me?"
"I don't understand how my comment was rude. She must think I'm a terrible friend."
"Will I ever grow up? Only children procrastinate like this."
"If I just had the motivation, maybe my house would be clean."
My role is never to imply that you need to be “fixed” or “changed.” Instead, neurodiversity-affirming interventions are utilized to promote acceptance and help teach others how to better understand and support you for who you are.Having this neurotype makes life a lot harder, but therapy is a wonderful place to determine how to best meet your brain and body's needs. My goal is to leverage your strengths to support you in areas you identify as needing support.
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You constantly strive for excellence, setting high standards for yourself in everything you do. While this drive can lead to impressive achievements, it often leaves you feeling exhausted, stressed, and never quite satisfied. You may feel a relentless pressure to be perfect, and the fear of failure can be overwhelming. Your thoughts might sound like...
"I have to be the best at everything. If I'm not, I feel like a failure."
"Why can't I ever relax and just enjoy my accomplishments? There's always something more to do."
"If I make even one mistake, it feels like the end of the world. I can't let myself mess up."
There's actually nothing wrong with you. Your drive for perfection and high achievement is a testament to your dedication and hard work. However, therapy can be a helpful place to learn how to manage these intense feelings and set realistic, compassionate expectations for yourself. My goal is to help you find a balance that allows you to appreciate your successes and live a more relaxed and fulfilling life.
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You have a deep desire to ensure everyone around you is happy and satisfied. This often means you go out of your way to help others, sometimes at the expense of your own needs and well-being. You might struggle to say no, fearing disappointment or conflict. Your thoughts might sound like...
"I must always be available for others, even if it means neglecting my own needs."
"Why do I feel so guilty when I try to take care of myself? I don't want to let anyone down."
"Why is it so hard for me to say no? I'm worried they'll be upset with me."
Your inclination to please others stems from a place of genuine care and empathy. Therapy can be an excellent space to explore how to set healthy boundaries and prioritize your own well-being. My goal is to support you in finding a balance between caring for others and taking care of yourself, helping you to build healthier and more fulfilling relationships.
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Experiencing sexual trauma (including in childhood assault, date assault, cycber exploitation, coercion, or other forms of sexual abuse) can leave lasting psychological and emotional scars impacting your relationship with yourself, others, and at work.
You may struggle with conflicting feelings about what happened to you and also have a deep knowing that these experiences have profoundly impacted your life. Perhaps you were made to feel unsafe in your own body, or you were manipulated by someone you trusted. These traumatic experiences can create wounds that follow you into adulthood.
These wounds can manifest as unfulfilled relationships, a lack of trust, persistent anxiety, or feeling disconnected from your own body ("I can never feel comfortable in my own skin"). They can also lead to serious concerns like chronic depression, PTSD, or struggles with self-worth and identity. Your thoughts might sound like...
"How can I ever trust anyone again after being betrayed so deeply?""I want to feel safe and comfortable in my own body, but it seems impossible."
"Why do I still blame myself for what happened? I know it wasn't my fault, but the guilt won't go away."
Trauma knows no bounds, and its impact on your nervous system can be severe. You are ready to take back your life, to reclaim your sense of safety and self-worth, and to build healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Therapy can provide a compassionate and supportive space for you to heal, empowering you to move forward with confidence and self-compassion.
PRIMARY SPECIALTIES
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You know that COVID-19 did not magically disappear and that it still impacts our day to day life. You may find it difficult to understand the ways in which the world seemed to move on. You may even have friendships and work relationships with people who just don't get it. You may think to yourself...
"Is everyone just morally disengaged from what happened to us?"
"Why is everyone acting like COVID-19 didn't happen and has gone away?"
"I'm tired of feeling like a crazy-person for wanting to wear my mask."
Therapy can be a helpful place to heal the trauma you experienced during lockdown, as well as a safe space in a world of people who just don't get it. -
As a dedicated helper or healer, you’ve spent your career supporting and nurturing others, whether as a therapist, psychiatrist, teacher, or in another caregiving role. However, you might now find yourself yearning for a new path that better meets your intellectual and emotional needs. Your thoughts might sound like...
"I’ve given so much to others, but I feel burnt out and unfulfilled. Is it time for a change?"
"Why do I feel stuck in my current role? I want to find something that reignites my passion."
"I need a career that aligns with my values and challenges me in new ways, but I'm not sure where to start."
Your desire for a more fulfilling and balanced career is important. Therapy can provide a supportive space to explore your feelings, identify your strengths and interests, and develop a plan for transitioning to a new career path. My goal is to help you navigate this change, ensuring that your next steps are aligned with your personal and professional aspirations. You deserve to find a career that not only utilizes your skills but also brings you joy and satisfaction.
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Most of us in the queer community grow up without safe spaces, and therefore we grow up without the opportunity to freely explore our identities without judgment. I am passionately about helping provide those safe spaces for clients. Common issues include:
Coming out
Family acceptance
Relationship/intimacy struggles
Isolation
Depression
Shame
Anger/rage
Sexual issues
NumbnessA broad and diverse awareness about what it means to be queer in our culture beyond "coming out" is an essential part of the work done in therapy.
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Being a mom isn't easy. Adjusting to motherhood is one of the biggest transitions you will have in your lifetime. It is a time when support is truly needed.
Not only is motherhood physically exhausting at times; it can be emotionally draining as well. The highs and pure love are often coupled with lows and uncertainty.
Unfortunately, moms often do not share experiences that are outside the happiness ideal or how they believe they “should” feel. If you are experiencing both highs and lows or feelings of ambivalence, you are not alone. If you are not “enjoying every moment”—no one is. These feelings are not a reflection of who you are as a person or mother.
Pretending that everything is okay when it really isn't gets exhausting. Hiding your feelings from others in order maintain an illusion that you "have it all together" can cause even more profound feelings of shame and isolation.
Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
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As a therapist, you’ve dedicated yourself to helping others navigate their challenges and improve their lives. However, the demands of this role can take a significant toll, leading to feelings of burnout and exhaustion. You might find yourself thinking...
"I’m emotionally drained and struggling to find the energy to support my clients effectively."
"Why do I feel so disconnected from the work I once loved? I need to rediscover my passion."
"I’m constantly giving to others, but I feel like I have nothing left for myself."
These feelings are valid, and burnout is a common experience among therapists. Therapy can offer a safe and supportive space to process your emotions, develop self-care strategies, and find ways to reignite your passion for your work. My goal is to help you restore balance, prevent further burnout, and ensure you can continue to provide compassionate care to your clients while also taking care of yourself. You deserve to feel rejuvenated and fulfilled in both your personal and professional life.
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You've experienced deep pain and confusion from your past religious experiences. The beliefs and practices that were once a significant part of your life may now feel harmful or oppressive. You may struggle with feelings of guilt, fear, or shame, and these thoughts might sound like...
"I constantly worry that I'm not good enough and that I’m being judged."
"Why do I feel so much anxiety about questioning the beliefs I was taught?"
"Why can't I shake off the fear and guilt, even though I've left that environment?"
Your experiences are valid, and the impact of religious trauma is profound. Therapy can be a safe space to explore and heal from these wounds. My goal is to help you navigate your feelings, reclaim your personal beliefs, and find a path to inner peace and acceptance.
SECONDARY SPECIALTIES
Sound anything like you?
my services.
Here’s where the magic happens. As a true Capricorn Sun, I offer multiple services to our community. Look around to see what best fits your needs.
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Individual therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals, one-on-one, with personal issues they have been facing. Individual therapy can address a variety of mental and emotional difficulties. Also known as talk therapy, it can help improve or control symptoms that influence an individual’s well-being.
50 minutes | $185
60 minutes | $200 -
Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy designed to help a familial group with issues that specifically affect the family’s functioning. It views the family as a dynamic system in which each individual is influenced by the interactions and dynamics within the family. It can address individual and familial difficulties, such as reoccurring conflict, communication issues, and life transitions.
50 minutes | $200
60 minutes | $215
90 minutes | $300 -
Whether you’re just starting out as an Associate or are making the move from community mental health to private practice, having a mentor is invaluable. When I work with my coaching clients, I help them establish successful business practices that are nourishing, anti-capitalist, and tailored to their unique needs.
50 minutes | $60
60 minutes | $75 -
I provide 1:1 treatment consultation regarding specialty topics such as working with trauma disorders, trauma-based care (EMDR), LGBTQ+ issues, high risk clients, and neurodiversity. With a collaborative approach, I work with my consultees to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their treatment approaches. Consultation can help clinicians make informed decisions, improve their clinical skills, and ensure the best possible care for their clients.
50 minutes | $60
60 minutes | $75 -
Psychological issues are complex and often treated with a narrow focus on symptoms, leading to ineffective treatments. Clinical assessments aim for a deeper understanding by analyzing response patterns and personal stories. This comprehensive approach results in more accurate diagnoses, better therapy, and a clearer self-understanding beyond a diagnosis.
Prices vary. Typical assessments require 3-4 sessions.
50 minutes | $200
60 minutes | $215
Full Report | $350 -
My community gatherings vary as my creativity and energy changes. They are typically professional events where therapists come together to network, share knowledge, and support each other. These gatherings can include workshops, presentations, peer consultations, and informal socializing. They provide opportunities for therapists to discuss best practices, recent research, strategies for self-care, and mostly connection with one another.
Please see "Events" for more information.
These events are low-cost and often no-cost.
“Turn your demons into art, your shadow into a friend, your fear into fuel, your failures into teachers, your weaknesses into reasons to keep fighting. Don’t waste your pain. Recycle your heart.”
“When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”
about me.
LICENSE
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
EDUCATION
BS in Sociology &
MS in Clinical Mental Health & Marriage and Family Therapy
SPECIAL TRAININGS
Too many to count. My last training focused on attachment & EMDR.
THEORY OF CHOICE
Psychodynamic, Feminist, Trauma-Based, EMDR, Relational.
PUBLICATIONS
My last published article is about the #MeToo movement in the Journal of Women & Therapy.
MY MYERS BRIGGS
ENFJ all the way.
“The doctor is effective only when he himself is affected. Only the wounded physician heals.”
Why should you choose me as your therapist? Let’s help you make the big leap.
A good therapist can be invaluable on your journey through life, whether you’re recovering from a crisis or working toward a specific goal. You deserve a great therapist, and that’s me.
”Well, what exactly makes you so special, Ali?”
Good question! I love a good cost-benefit analysis.
I am thoroughly educated, trained, and skilled, but what my clients love the most about me is that I am a wounded healer.
What does this mean? A "wounded healer" is a term used to describe a healer who has personally experienced significant emotional or psychological challenges. This concept, introduced by Carl Jung, suggests that those who have undergone their own struggles can offer a unique and profound level of empathy and understanding to their clients.
My personal journey through pain and recovery enhances my ability to connect with and support others facing similar issues. Because of my past, I bring the most genuine forms of authenticity and compassion to my practice, often making me more effective in helping others.
I've dedicated myself to personal growth through my own journey in therapy, discovering a deep passion for it along the way. I believe my purpose in life is to help alleviate your suffering .
The decision to enter therapy can be a challenging one, especially if you've spoken to professionals before and left disappointed. Today, I invite you to reach out for something different. I want to offer you the valuable opportunity to look within yourself and access the strength and tools that will help you create a life of your creation. Let's connect.
love yourself a little extra today.
feeling warmed up yet?