Hi,I’m Alena!
It’s wonderful to connect with you!
I want you to know that whatever life challenge is in front of you now, I believe there is hope. My desire is to be able to listen and encourage you during this season of life. I want to foster a relationship of trust to promote a life change that you can feel passionate about.
I take a holistic approach to all forms of counseling because I believe the heart, mind, body and soul are connected. As we work together to integrate each part, we can create a life that you feel is meaningful and full of purpose. No one is perfect, and we each bring our broken parts into relationships, work and our own health. Understanding who we are and why we are the way we are will help bring a sense of hope when taking back your health.
Counseling & Therapy
I have worked as a mental health professional for the past 15 years and have been in private practice for eight years. It has been my personal honor to help people along their healing journey. Nothing makes me happier than to see someone find relief from anxiety, hope within depression, healing from trauma, freedom from addiction, comfort for their broken heart, or a sense of purpose for their life.
While I use the term mental health, I believe brain health is a more suitable term when creating a path towards healing and orienting ourselves towards lasting change. Our brain is amazing, and we must care for it well to stay healthy. Our daily decisions have a great effect on our brain health. I am excited to share recipes and exercises that help support brain health!
I am a licensed therapist in both Colorado and Maryland. I provide in-person therapy in Maryland and virtual therapy in both states. Most of my research is within the field of neuroscience, trauma, boundaries and attachment. I am also a certified brain health professional with the Amen Clinics, as well as a certified EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) trauma specialist through EMDR International Association.
I am also associated with New Life Ministries as a counselor within their network and facilitator and speaker at their conferences - Life Recovery, Restore, Emotional Freedom, Lose it for Life, and Intimacy in Marriage. This past year, I had the privilege to write a new devotional, titled “100 Days of Freedom from Overeating,” with New Life Ministries.
Fitness
As an athlete and fitness coach, I also bring 18 years of strength training experience to helping individuals who are interested in health issues involving food, weight loss, emotional eating and chronic health issues that can be positively impacted by healthy eating and exercise. I also love working with athletes through sports psychology. You may have seen me competing as a lightweight Strongwoman Athlete! In 2018 I won 5th place in the nation as a lightweight competitor!
You can find some of my favorite recipes on the blog, and I share some of my workouts on Instagram and YouTube!
Other Work
I love working together with my friends! I am Level 3 Gottman trained have the privilege of working with Carolyn Hunsicker providing Gottman-based marriage intensives, and I also get the opportunity to partner with Brittany Edie at counseling retreats providing faith, fitness and mental health encouragement.
Most importantly, I am passionate about integrating faith, fitness and mental health. In our culture, faith and fitness are warped into something that does not provide life or freedom. I believe a balanced perspective of love, grace and nurture/compassion mixed with truth, structure and discipline can help us arrive at a healthy place within these two categories.
More Things to Know
I am married to the love of my life - creator, bushcrafter and fitness YouTuber Brian Alsruhe (@NEVERsate). We live in the woods in a cozy home by the river with our two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Kona and Nala. Brian has experienced some serious health issues, so we are grateful for each day we have together.
I love worship music, a double shot of espresso with cinnamon, and any kind of movement outside in the sunshine. I love to travel, hike mountains, cook, weight-lift, play in the ocean, and spend time with family and friends.
Check out the content below to find out how we can work together! I can’t wait!
“I have come so that you may have life abundant”
