About Alaina
What It’s Like to Work with Me
My priority is to create an environment where you feel safe to share without fear of judgment. Though I tend to take a gentle approach, I don’t shy away from direct feedback that might help you look at your life differently. I love doing the work of connecting dots and sharing knowledge and insights that enable clients to make important changes in their lives.
Therapy can be a serious business, but it’s also a space for connection, relationship-building, and compassion. You can show up as your full self in each session, whether you need to have a laugh, vent anger and frustration, cry, or sit in silence. I expect a full range of human emotions, and I'll be right there with you, supporting you and showing you what we can learn from the experience.
My approach tends to be psychodynamic, attachment-focused, and parts work informed. And because most of us aren’t fluent in therapy speak: I am focused on why you’re experiencing what you’re experiencing, with the knowledge that relational issues stem from wounds that occurred in our foundational relationships. We will explore the origins of the issues you’re facing, and how they’ve informed different parts of yourself that present in different situations.
I encourage you to get in touch to discuss whether I might be the right therapist for you. We’ll start with a brief call where you’ll share a bit about what you’re experiencing and have a chance to ask questions or share any concerns. If I’m not the best fit, I can help connect you with another therapist.
Education:
MSW, University of Michigan School of Social Work
B.A. English and Journalism, Fordham University
Trauma & Relationship Therapist in Michigan
Hi, I’m Alaina. I’m a psychotherapist focused on the way trauma shows up in our daily lives, especially our relationships.
I am passionate about working with people who have experienced relational trauma, which may look like intimate partner violence, sexual harm, childhood abuse, and bullying. Experiences like these can make it challenging to feel safe and secure around others. One thing I’ve observed through this work, though, is how unique and truly amazing people who’ve been through it are. The people I work with are some of the kindest, funniest and most intuitive people I’ve met. My greatest joy as a therapist is helping people connect with these parts of themselves, and feel safe enough to share them with others.