Find a Therapist in Oakton, VA

I am very straight forward but tactful. I like humor and will use it to lessen the intensity if appropriate.

I try and create a very warm and welcoming environment so my clients can feel comfortable and express themselves. I believe clients like my welcoming nature and ability to understand their feelings and empathize with them.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with one of our therapists, please use the contact form on our WEBSITE www.imaracounseling.com and a member of our intake team will be in touch with you within 24 business hours. Unlike many other practices you reach out to, we will respond and do our best to schedule you with someone who can assist you.

We offer medication management, therapy, or both depending on what you need. Led by a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), we provide what most practices can't: comprehensive psychiatric support under one roof from someone who sees the whole picture. No bouncing between providers. No repeating your history. No gaps in your care. Our approach is simple: we listen first. A successful treatment plan requires a true understanding of your history, your goals, and what hasn't worked before—so we can build a plan that actually moves you forward.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 25 years of experience. I’ve worked in both community-based services and private practice, supporting individuals and families facing chronic homelessness, child and family needs, and crisis intervention. I specialize in helping adults navigate relationship challenges, grief, and major life transitions, while fostering growth, peace, and purpose.

I am a Resident in Counseling with over 2 years of experience, and I specialize in working with caregivers, as well as individuals managing anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, relationship concerns, and life adjustments. My goal is to create a supportive, safe space where clients feel heard and understood. I am passionate about guiding people through life’s challenges and helping them develop tools that foster growth, resilience, and lasting positive change.

I believe that the best way to help you is to listen to the changes that you would like to make, and develop a treatment plan specific to your concerns and your personality. In many cases, no one therapeutic approach fits every one or every issue, so my goal is to make a you feel comfortable and understand more about your personal journey. The decision to pursue therapy can be difficult for many people, but it indicates that you want to change or improve certain aspects of your life, creating stronger relationships, a higher level of self-confidence, more focus and direction and many other areas for improvement.

I take a holistic approach that incorporates mind, body, and spirit. I believe it's important to integrate life meaning into counseling. I respect all faith backgrounds (including none), work within personal belief frameworks, and have appreciation for alternative paths as well as mainstream religions. I'll work with you to set goals and the proper pacing of therapy. Therapy is a collaboration, as ultimately the power to change rests within you. I emphasize unconditional positive regard, respect, a safe and caring therapeutic relationship, individual strengths, and taking control over choices.

Therapy is a journey into a space where your feelings are welcomed and understood. Imagine a calm environment with soft light, warm air, and the gentle scent of lavender. This atmosphere provides comfort and ease, allowing you to settle more deeply into yourself. At the center is a mirror, not an ordinary mirror, but one that reflects your authentic self: vulnerable, radiant, and whole. In this supportive space, you are invited to recognize and accept all aspects of who you are, including your strengths, challenges, and areas of growth. Therapy becomes a process of healing and self-discovery, where you learn to embrace yourself with compassion and openness. With each passing moment, you feel yourself softening, embracing this mirror as it shows you who you truly are. And as you stand there, something shifts. You begin to uncover the pieces that make you whole, cherishing them, nurturing them, letting them grow. The journey of therapy is not just about healing; it is about discovering and embracing the profound beauty within you, piece by piece, moment by moment. In our first session, we will review essential consent forms and complete an intake questionnaire. This allows me to gather vital information about your unique experiences and needs, ensuring that our work together is tailored specifically to you. In subsequent sessions, we will collaboratively create a personalized plan aimed at helping you achieve your goals, fostering growth and healing every step of the way. You are not alone on this journey. I am here to support you in navigating the complexities of your life with compassion and understanding.

I have over 20 years of experience as a therapist, and I want to get to know you as a whole person and in the context of your relationships, your interests, how you make a living, and your beliefs. For couples, this also applies, as well as my POV on seeing the relationship as the client and taking a non-blaming approach. I use a combination of listening, support, validation, education, teaching skills, and providing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and all of these can be dialed up or back based on what you need and prefer. My style is open and direct, and you can ask me about any part of the process.

Life is often full of challenges and therapy can be a welcomed support in coping with difficulties, building resilience, and creating happiness. I believe that individuals are best served by an integrative, strength-based approach. My office is a safe and confidential space to get to know yourself better, explore your needs, and develop strategies to support healing and growth.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re carrying more than you let on. Maybe you’ve been trying to hold everything together—your relationships, your career, your confidence—while quietly feeling anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of your next step. You might be tired of overthinking, tired of feeling alone with your thoughts, or tired of pretending you’re “fine” when you know you deserve more than survival mode. I want you to know: you don’t have to do this alone. I’m Alex, and my approach is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and real-world practicality. When you and I work together, you get a space where you can breathe, slow down, and finally talk honestly about what’s going on beneath the surface. I show up as a human first and a therapist second, someone who listens without judgment, helps you untangle the overwhelm, and walks alongside you as you reconnect with yourself. In our sessions, you can expect a blend of evidence-based practices and personalized care. I lean on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), humanistic approaches, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, positive psychology, and, when helpful, accelerated resolution therapy (ART). Whether we’re working through anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, performance blocks, or life transitions, I tailor the process to who you are and what you need, not a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. We’ll identify the patterns that keep you stuck, build healthier ways of thinking and coping, and strengthen the parts of you that are capable, resilient, and ready for change. My goal is for you to feel understood, supported, and empowered, not just in sessions, but in your everyday life. If you’re looking for a therapist who will meet you where you are, respect your pace, and help you move toward clarity, balance, and meaningful growth, you’re in the right place. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, more connected, and more like yourself again.