Alex Neinast, LCMHC-A, CRC
Therapy for teens and adults in Durham and via telehealth
Not currently accepting new clients
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Alex Neinast (she/her) is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) in North Carolina. She works with teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, and life transitions, offering a steady and collaborative space where clients can begin to feel more grounded and supported without needing to have everything figured out first. Many of her clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward, whether in response to specific challenges or a more general sense that something feels off or is not aligning. She also supports individuals exploring questions related to identity, direction, or a broader sense of meaning and purpose. Alex takes an integrative approach tailored to each client, helping them slow down, make sense of their experiences, and move toward greater steadiness and self-trust.
"Therapy is the practice of recognizing that you are inherently whole and deserve to live a life of integrity on your own terms."
Areas of Support
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Anxiety, stress, and burnout
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Depression and low mood
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Life transitions and periods of uncertainty
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Emotional overwhelm and regulation difficulties
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Identity exploration and self-understanding
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Feeling stuck or uncertain about next steps
Approach
Alex’s approach is collaborative and integrative, tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. She aims to create a steady and supportive space where clients do not have to navigate their experiences alone. Her work focuses on helping clients better understand patterns in their thoughts, emotions, and experiences, while also building practical tools to navigate anxiety, low mood, stress, and life transitions more effectively.
Her work is grounded in the belief that individuals are inherently whole and capable of meaningful change and growth on their own terms. She draws from evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic perspectives, and integrative approaches, with an emphasis on balancing insight with practical application in daily life.
Sessions may include identifying unhelpful thought patterns, strengthening emotional awareness, and clarifying values in ways that help clients feel more steady and supported in their day-to-day lives, at a pace that feels manageable. Work may also focus on building strategies for navigating transitions with resilience and flexibility. Clients often find it helpful to have a space where they can slow down, make sense of what they’re experiencing, and feel more supported as they work through it.
Background
Prior to entering the mental health field, Alex spent a decade working in STEM. She went on to earn her MS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program. Alex's own lived experience with disability and existential exploration has meaningfully shaped her clinical perspective and her deep commitment to working with clients navigating similar terrain.
Outside the Office
As a central Texas transplant, Alex loves exploring the mountains and beaches of North Carolina. She lives with her partner and cat in Chapel Hill, where she finds fulfillment in tending to her garden, taking on low-stakes art projects, and reading too many books at once.
