About Me
I’m Alena. I was born and raised in NY and lived in Brooklyn before moving to LA in 2018. I spent over a decade working in production prior to pursuing my second life as a Therapist. Processing my own traumatic grief with a therapist was the catalyst of change in my life, and helped me lean into my passion of supporting others. My life’s mission is to provide the transformative experience of therapy, and spark the change so many people seek. I’m a bit of a sci-fi movie nerd, podcast lover, and enjoy watching films at the many retro theaters across LA, or catching a improv show. When I’m not in sessions, I’m usually on a mountain with my pup Norman or exploring different neighborhoods. I am an ally to the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, and committed to doing my own work so I can be a part of social reform.
Experience
& Training
Previous Work
I received my Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, LA and specialized in Trauma. My education and training focused on how trauma overwhelms and impacts the body, mind and spirit.
I have provided free online therapy to people across California in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, weekly Psychodynamic Therapy at a Non-Profit Community Mental Health organization, and high-acuity care in a Mental Health Residential Setting. Some of the trainings I completed include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Interventions for Trauma from the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Perspective, and Stan Tatkin’s Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT).
As a VFX producer, I cohesively tied together creativity and technicalities while managing multiple personalities in order to achieve a common goal in high-stress environments. This experience, my attention to detail and connection to multiple mediums of expression continue to serve me in my work as a Therapist. I understand the level of stress associated with careers in creativity and entertainment, and enjoy bringing insight and relief to my clients in those fields.