Meet your Clinician
Alex is an AuDHDer, PDAer, non-binary, Queer, disabled, chronically ill, and a (white-passing) multi-racial (Irish, Greek & Chinese) clinical social worker, with lived experience of OCD + other mental health conditions. Alex is from, and currently resides on Wahpekute land (colonized as Twin Cities of MN). Ever since Alex was a child, they've always felt different, quirky, and eccentric, believing as a youth that "normal" (which they now realize is neurotypical 😂) was boring. As a result of being different, and masking undiagnosed AuDHD, Alex felt drawn to wanting to understand people, and to serving others. These life experiences, and passions led Alex to where they are today. Alex earned their Bachelor's degree from DePaul University, and their Master's of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.
Alex McLaughlin, LICSW, CYT-500
Life Experience and Work History
Alex has been grateful for the variety of work and life experiences they've had, believing that they've shaped them personally and professionally. Their work experiences related to human services and mental health include: working with folks that are unhoused, serving as a Corps Member with City Year, serving as a School Social Worker; working with students and their families on IEPs, and students in general education; as a Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher in a variety of settings, as a Social Worker in a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for children and youth, as a Social Worker in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) for folks with eating disorders, as an Outpatient Therapist and Associate Clinical Director. Alex had the honor of working at Neuron & Rose and was their Associate Clinical Director while there. While at Neuron & Rose, Alex learned how to provide ND-affirming Autism and ADHD assessments.
Alex's Approach to Therapy
Alex aims to be anti-racist, neurodivergent and queer affirming, while continuously learning and growing in these (and other) areas. Alex takes an intersectional feminist / social equity, ecological systems, and strengths-based approach in their practice. Alex is relational in their work, compassion focused, and is person-centered. Alex takes an electic approach to therapy to meet each individual where they are. As a late diagnosed AuDHDer, Autism and ADHD have become some of their special interests. Alex is passionate about working with neurodivergent (ND) therapy participants; exploring their identity; integrating knowledge to support folks in moving through the world in ways that are self-compassionate, and work with their neurotype(s); guiding folks to discover their unmasked selves; and encouraging their authentic expression of self, as they feel safe and ready to do so. That said, Alex aims to unmask in session, so you'll often find them fidgeting / stimming, and shifting around. Alex works with therapy participants ages 6+. Alex believes it is a privilege to walk along-side their therapy participants and partner with folks on their healing journey. In addition to their passions for working with ND folks, they are also passionate about working with clients with OCD, folks from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, disabled folks, and PDAers.
Alex adapts their theraputic work to be neurodivergent affirming; they're trained in the following therapeutic modalities:
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Sand Tray Therapy
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Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
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ND-Affirming Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) for OCD and anxiety disorders
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PDA Level 1 & 2
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with children, youth and young adults
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
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Solution-Focused Therapy.
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Mind-body approaches. As a Trauma-Informed 500-HR Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT) Alex may also incorporate trauma-informed mindfulness, trauma-informed yoga and other somatic approaches in their work.
Alex is currently receiving training to become an IFS-informed therapist, and incorporates parts work in their therapy now with interested participants. Alex also utilizes play therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in their work.
Personal Life
When they're not working with therapy or assessment participants, Alex enjoys spending time with loved ones (including their dog); spending time in nature while hiking, camping or lounging outside, and engaging in one of their special interests (SPINS). Some of their current SPINS include but are not limited to #AUDHD: learning about or creating content related to Autism and/or ADHD; crafting (making things on their cricut, knitting, crocheting, sublimating thing), reading Tarot, healing & spiritual practices, and rock hounding (to name a few).
