My Education and Approach

Hi, I am Aleks. Learning about human nature, what makes us happy, what brings meaning to our lives, and what relieves our suffering is my lifelong passion. For over a decade, I have been studying Yoga, Mindfulness, and Meditation to explore the links between our minds, bodies, souls, and higher aspects. In 2019, I got certified as a Family Constellations facilitator. In 2022, I received my Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at Hunter College, CUNY, New York. Additionally, I received training and certifications in Positive Psychology, Authentic Relating, Grief Counseling, and Breath and Movement therapy for trauma healing.

My approach to therapy is a combination of:

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy teaches us how to be present and engaged with reality, our feelings, thoughts, and ourselves. We will answer the question “What kind of person do I want to be, and how to get there step by step at my own pace”. ACT is a therapy style that emphasizes authenticity, following values, active commitment to change, and Psychological flexibility.

Somatic Therapy. As you may know, our body stores traumatic memories and experiences, which often makes you re-experience a state of unsafety, helplessness, and suffering when objectively everything is good, and you are safe. Somatic therapy has tools to process and release traumatic memories through breath, sounds, and movement of our bodies. Practicing Somatic healing tools, we can reclaim our agency and peace, learn to feel safe and liberated from past experiences, and learn to use our bodies as a tool for emotional regulation and healing.

Compassion-based therapy. We are all human, and having compassion for our own suffering and imperfections is an important key to healing and living in peace with ourselves and others. Our minds and bodies are capable of healing themselves in a nurturing environment. Compassion, kindness, and love are the elements that create a fertile soil for our inner growth.

Spirituality. I never push my values or beliefs on my clients. For those who are open, we will connect with such levels of our being as soul, intuition, and higher purpose. I provide guided meditations, Oracle cards work, storytelling, and energy practices to promote fulfillment, a balanced, resourceful state, and a deeper connection with all aspects of our being. I found the Spirituality approach especially helpful when working with grief.

Family Constellations is a method of exploring and healing intergenerational dynamics and influences. Through this method, we will look into what brings systems to a balance and how not following the laws of systems can cause addictions, self-sabotage, feeling stuck, lonely, disconnected from our roots, and other destructive experiences.

Let’s get personal

I am a first-generation Ukrainian immigrant who moved across the world in 2015. Over the past few years, I went through cultural adaptation, a massive amount of loss in a family, while pursuing my licensure in Mental Health Counseling and publishing two fantasy novels for young adults. All these experiences helped me to develop skills for building resilience, mental well-being, kindness, and self-compassion, which I am happy to share with my clients in therapy. My core values are: authenticity, honesty, freedom, love, creativity, growth, kindness, and bravery. Every day, I practice the tools and methods I teach my clients to live a happy and fulfilled life.

I am super passionate about exploring spirituality, reading and writing about what happens after death, travelling, hiking, growing a garden on my balcony, and cooking recipes from different cultures, especially from my “Witcher” cookbook. I now live in New Jersey with my husband and the cutest hairless cat, Oliver. You would probably see the latter if you choose virtual sessions.

If my approach and personality resonate with you, and if you are ready to commit to self-exploration, please reach out to schedule an initial session with me. I am here for you.