Hello! My name is Alexis Gilan. I provide individual therapy to adolescents and adults, with specialized experience in trauma, ADHD, mood disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), LGBTQ+ mental health, and substance use recovery. I earned my graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University and have experience in both residential treatment and private practice settings, supporting clients through life transitions, identity exploration, and complex trauma.
My therapeutic approach is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practice. As an eclectic style therapist, I draw from EMDR therapy, ego state/parts work, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients process their experiences, build insight, and develop practical, sustainable coping strategies. I am deeply committed to creating a culturally responsive and affirming space where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered. I am especially passionate about supporting individuals healing from high-control or spiritually harmful environments, exploring questions of identity or meaning-making, and untangling patterns rooted in earlier relational trauma.
I view therapy as a place where clients can reclaim their agency, strengthen their resilience, and move toward the life they want to build. Outside the therapy room, I recharge through creative hobbies, painting, and spending time outdoors. Fun fact: my Australian Shepherd, Milo, keeps me on a strict schedule of long walks and fresh air. At home, my cats, Jax and Mia, prefer to supervise from a distance, usually by sitting on my keyboard during notes or reminding me that breaks are non-negotiable.
My goal is to offer a warm, welcoming environment where clients feel genuinely supported as they find clarity, create change, and honor their own growth.
