Alexandra Acquaviva

I'm a licensed counselor with expertise in evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I use CBT with clients experiencing anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related issues, and substance use concerns, and I'm trained in EMDR, which I use primarily for trauma-related disorders including PTSD. I work best with clients who are ready to better understand themselves and begin healing from experiences that continue to affect their daily lives, often anxiety, depression, or distress connected to past experiences, even when that connection isn't fully clear yet.

My approach is collaborative and empathetic, grounded in active listening and creating a space where clients feel heard and accepted without judgment. With CBT, we work together to identify cognitive distortions, such as all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralization, or catastrophizing, and engage in cognitive restructuring to develop more balanced thinking patterns. With EMDR, we identify specific memories or distressing experiences contributing to a client's symptoms, and work through processing to shift emotional responses and reinforce more adaptive beliefs. My ideal clients are open to growth, even if they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, often noticing patterns like overthinking, self-doubt, emotional reactivity, or difficulty feeling safe or at ease. Together, we focus on identifying and processing the root experiences behind these patterns while building insight and more adaptive ways of thinking, feeling, and responding.

In the first session, clients can expect a collaborative assessment process focused on understanding their presenting concerns, goals for therapy, and background. We'll begin building a trauma timeline together and developing coping skills, so there's a solid foundation before deeper processing work begins. Ongoing sessions typically include a check-in on what's come up since we last met, followed by EMDR reprocessing. Progress isn't always linear, but clients often notice it in the moment, such as decreased distress around a memory or a stronger belief in something more helpful about themselves, as well as between sessions, through fewer symptoms or changes in how they respond to situations that used to trigger them.