Alexander Sullivan LICSW, LCSW, LIMHP

I utilize an effective form of trauma therapist called Brainspotting that can be very effective at getting to the source of trauma and finding ways to release the pain the mind is holding onto. This is similar to EMDR, but can be scaled up and down more effectively to support meeting you where you are at and matching to the approach to where you are in your healing process.

I am trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, which utilizes attachment science to navigate the underlying patterns in a relationship and create a healthier attachment pattern in the relationship - correcting relationship challenges at the source. I am skilled at working with couples who's difficulties center around medical challenges, grief and loss, and exposure to trauma of any form.

I began my career working in an Oncology Hospital, particularly an Inpatient Bone Marrow Transplant floor. I am able to support those with a diagnosis, and their loved ones, throughout the whole of their medical journey. I also am able to provide support specifically to caregivers who are supporting a loved one through the cancer journey as well.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is a type of talk therapy that focuses on the core psychological processes responsible for contributing to human suffering, often referred to as psychological rigidity, and their counterparts responsible for human flourishing, often referred to as psychological flexibility. Through challenging the negative attributes and encouraging the development of positive ones, we are able to cultivate a mind that is more adept at navigating challenges effectively.

First and foremost a trauma therapy, Brainspotting came from EMDR and uses eye positioning (as opposed to eye movement) as the primary vehicle to find stored and repressed traumatic memories, and release the charge they hold. Like a psychological metal detector, this can be a very effective way to uncover and resolve underlying processes that might be impacting our ability to move forward in life. This approach can be scaled and applied on anything from small frustrations to complex traumas.

Rooted in attachment science, EFT supports couples in identifying the underlying processes that impact their relationship and find more effective means of relating to each other. This process gets to the heart of what causes relationship conflicts, and improve the relationship at the source. There are no cheesy communication exercises here, just learning how to identify and meet the underlying needs of our partners while they do the same for us.