Evidence-based treatment through a holistic lens

About Me, Alex

Owner, therapist, recovering perfectionist.

My therapy style is genuine, warm, and direct. I am fiercely dedicated to helping you find your direction in living a values-focused, fulfilling life, and promise we can have some fun along the way. I love finding humor in the absurdness of how unhelpful our minds can be! This has shown to be incredibly effective within a comfortable, supportive relationship. I’m not afraid to call you on your “stuff,” and like to operate in the space where compassion meets accountability. Because, more than anything, I want to see you living the life you deserve.

A few years into practicing as a therapist, it became harder and harder to ignore the impact nutrition and environment has on our psychological functioning. As I set out to learn more, I quickly learned there is no shortage of wellness and nutrition information out there, but it can be messy and conflicting (and sometimes, just straight up wrong!) So, I became Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition to ensure I am providing recommendations not only tailored to you, but supported by science. My practice combines evidenced-based mental health treatment with the whole-body approach that the psychology and medical fields often lack. Learning is one of my core values, and I dedicate time each week to study, collaborate, and sharpen my knowledge about “what’s out there” and what works.

Outside of the therapy room, I can be found trying new foods, trying my best with plants, constantly decorating and re-decorating, and spending time with friends, family, and my dog, Archie. I appreciate a good NY bagel, a good pen (Pilot G-2, specifically), the opportunity to explore new places, and always a good laugh.

Training, Qualifications & Licensure

EDUCATION

  • Master of Social Work, Clinical | University of Pennsylvania, 2015

  • Bachelor of Arts, Psychology | University of Delaware, 2013

  • Bachelor of Science, Clinical Human Services | University of Delaware, 2013

CERTIFICATION

  • Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition | National Association of Nutrition Professionals, 2022

  • Certificate, Nutritional Therapy Practitioner | Nutritional Therapy Association, 2021

LICENSURE

  • 23062 | Maryland

  • CW022258 | Pennsylvania

  • Maryland Board Approved Social Work Supervisor

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSTY

I am committed to ongoing learning and reflection to understand how intersecting identities contribute to one’s lived experience. My goal is to be a compassionate resource and advocate for individuals of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, religious identities, and sizes.

TRAINING

My experience ranges from working with persistent, severe mental illness in a private, inpatient psychiatric facility to individual outpatient therapy at Johns Hopkins Bayview. Here, I developed experience with a range of mental health disorders, and developed my specialization within the Anxiety Disorders Clinic. I have attended the Behavior Therapy Training Institute offered by the IOCDF, an 3-day intensive training in exposure and response prevention for OCD.

MEMBERSHIPS

  • International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

  • National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP)

THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

I find most success with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I also incorporate mind-body techniques such as mindfulness and nutritional therapy.

I am passionate about advocating for treatment that works and staying up to date on the latest, most beneficial treatments. Learn more about I-CBT here.

Featured In:

Areas of Expertise

Here are some things my clients typically face:

  • Anxiety

  • Perfectionism

  • OCD

  • Work/School-Related Stress & Burnout

  • Chronic Worry

  • Panic

holistic

adjective

ho·​lis·​tic | \ hō-ˈli-stik

  • relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts

A holistic lens is not pseudo-science, but rather, an emphasis on the mind and body as a whole. Nutritional therapy is a holistic approach that links the foods we eat with our mental health. There is an emphasis on nourishing our bodies with the nutrients it requires to promote wellbeing. This component of integrative health focuses on not only the foods we eat, but has a strong consideration of lifestyle factors including stress, sleep, and movement.

Are you a clinician hoping to enhance your knowledge of using nutrition to treat mental health?

Click here to learn about supervision and consultation options for clinicians.

Let’s chat.

Finding the right therapist can be hard. Send me a message, email, or call me. Or, schedule a complimentary consultation call to set up a time where I’ll call you.

alex@mcnultywellness.com

(410) 205-5313