Alex Douglas (he/him)

My treatment is based on four modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps address unhealthy automatic thoughts. Depth Psychology, which explores how our past and unconscious have shaped our worldview, behavior, and pain. Narrative Therapy, based on the recognition that we all live according to learned, unconscious "scripts" of what we can (and deserve to) achieve, what has meaning, what constitutes success, etc. Exploring out personal script allows us to rewrite it in healthier ways. Existential therapy, which explores how to find personal meaning in our existence; our very human fear of death; and how, though we often cannot control situations, we can learn to decide our perspective and experience of them. Somatic Therapy, which works from a belief that past traumatic or painful events don’t just exist in our minds but in our bodies, as well.

My volunteer experience includes as a counselor on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, as a hospice companion, as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for a teenager in the LA County foster system. Prior to entering private practice, I provided individual psychotherapy at Covenant House California, a shelter for young adults homeless due to issues such as trafficking, substance use, gender and identity traumas, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. Because everyone's story and experience is different, I believe everyone's pain is different. As is their path to happiness and meaning. It is my job to put myself into each client's "shoes" as much s possible, so we can find what works best for them. I believe all people are deserving of love and respect. I am also a strong believer in harm reduction, where the goal is reducing the harm of unhealthy behaviors versus going "cold turkey," which is often unrealistic and whose failure can bring feelings of guilt and hopelessness.