Raised in North Texas, Alex received her bachelor’s degree from North Texas State
University and then attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she obtained
a masters degree in clinical psychology. During that time, she enjoyed both research and
direct clinical care and considers her internship at Southwest Family Institute (SFI) a
turning point in her training. While at SFI, she researched family health variables and
completed her thesis looking at goal attainment in family therapy. She later returned to
SMU to complete her Ph.D. in social developmental psychology, received a grant from the
Timberlawn Psychiatric Research Foundation, and completed an extensive research project
looking at the relationship between narrative coherence, relationship ideology, attachment
security, and couple health. She was awarded the Most Outstanding Dissertation Award at the
conclusion of her research.
Alex is also a devoted educator, having spoken to over 200 groups and to multiple
academic conferences. She founded the Institute for Addictive Studies in 1989 and she created
and facilitated student assistance programming for at-risk adolescents
in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She has served as a clinical training
consultant for Advancement Associates and trained future addiction professionals through
Hazelden’s Southwest Training Institute. She has served as adjunct faculty for Southern
Methodist University’s psychology department, teaching both graduate and undergraduate
courses in adult development and aging, social psychology, theories of psychotherapy, and
marriage and family therapy.
Alex’s first ten years of counseling were primarily in residential and outpatient
programs treating addictive disorders and dual diagnoses. She worked as a Licensed Chemical
Dependency Counselor prior to her graduate training and completion of her licensure as a Licensed
Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas and Colorado. Alex is currently licensed as a Clinical
Supervisor in Texas (LPCS) allowing her to supervise counseling interns seeking licensure.