Hi there!
I am Dr. Alena Gittens, a licensed clinical psychologist in California. I was born and raised in the small Caribbean island of Barbados before moving to Brooklyn, NY with my family. I eventually moved to California for college at Stanford University where I majored in psychology. I then earned my doctorate in clinical psychology at Palo Alto University. I have been providing individual psychotherapy for the past seven years and love what I do.
I chose to become a psychologist after realizing the need for more psychologists of color who are also gender or sexual minorities. Throughout my training and clinical experiences, I focused on ways to help those I worked with develop a deeper sense of self-love, compassion, and awareness ultimately facilitating a healing process. I understand that pain and suffering do not exist in a vacuum, that said while working with me we will focus on all aspects of the self to help you on your journey.
I utilize a strengths-based integrative treatment approach that is individualized for each person I work with. My approach utilizes various evidence-based practices such as: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotion Focused Therapy, Seeking Safety, Gay Affirmative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions.
I have worked with a wide variety of patients specializing in those with more chronic and complex issues. I believe that everyone who feels misunderstood, silenced, erased, or marginalized in our society deserves respect and the resources they need to not just live, but thrive. Regardless of how painful, dark, or hopeless you may feel, there is more for you and it would be an honor to help you discover that.
When you work with me, I take time creating a safe space for you as we get to know each other. As our treatment progresses, I will push you when I believe you are ready for more, you will always be able to tell me when you want us to slow down and I will respect that. I will always make time to close up anything that we open in our sessions. Wherever you are, know that I am here for you. I look forward to our work together.
Warmly,
Dr. G
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Adoption and Foster Care, Attachment issues, Avoidant Personality, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Hearing Impaired, HIV / AIDS, Immigration Issues, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Narcissism, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Somatization, Traumatic Brain Injury, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
CA Psychologist 32166