Hi, I'm Alaina! I graduated with an MA in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Colorado Denver in 2024 and my goal is to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) specializing in childhood trauma. Prior to receiving my master's degree, my background was in the performing arts which taught me how to connect with others, not only through language, but through nonverbal communication such as body language and facial expressions as well. Due to my experience as a performer, I have discovered a love and knack for connecting with kids in a playful way and I like to incorporate creativity into my sessions whenever appropriate. 

 

My clinical experience has been predominantly working with young children, adolescents, and families struggling with issues such as sexual abuse, PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, attachment ruptures, neurodivergence, and grief/loss. I also have some experience working with couples using emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) to help improve communication, and increase vulnerability and mutual understanding. 

 

As a trauma-focused and person-centered therapist, I strive to cultivate a strong therapeutic relationship built on safety and trust so my clients can feel comfortable processing their struggles. As a Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate (MFTC) and self-identified "Queen of Context," I look at multiple areas of my clients' lives (e.g., school, family history, culture, the greater society, etc.) in order to get the big picture of what could be contributing to said struggles. Therefore, I use an integrative approach so I can cater interventions to each of my clients' needs. Some of the modalities I use are child-centered play therapy (CCPT), synergetic play therapy (SPT), sand tray therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and attachment-based therapies.