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.