“I’ve been working in this field for a long time, and I’m always going to be learning. I truly love my profession, and I’m excited about my future with HBH.”

Alexandra Malin, LMHC and Clinical Supervisor with HBH loves what she does. For Alexandra, being a therapist and clinical supervisor is more than a job: it reflects a core part of herself that loves building relationships with people, and educating people about mental health. 

As a clinical supervisor, Alexandra provides support, encouragement, and education to clinicians which ensures that clients are completely served. Her role as a supervisor ensures that counselors continue to increase their skills, which in turn leads to improved outcomes for clients and staff. 

Alexandra believes that trust is the foundation for building a strong therapeutic relationship with both her clients and those she’s training. 

Trained in several therapeutic modalities including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness/Meditation, Alexandra therapeutic approach is highly individualized based on the clients needs. Her client-centered approach allows individuals to process, and identify their thoughts and feelings free from judgment. 

To learn more about Alexandra’s background, her approach to clinical supervision and mental health counseling, and what to expect from working with her online, please read this interview conducted with Alexandra.

Q. What is your favorite part of working with HBH?

A. I’m only one week into my role, but I’m so excited about the sense of community that HBH fosters.

When businesses measure success purely by the numbers, they often lose sight of their clients and clinicians as real human beings. HBH makes it their priority to build a nurturing community. I feel very supported and integrated here.

Q. What’s your approach to building relationships with clients and clinicians?

Trust is an essential component for building strong therapeutic relationships with both clients and clinicians.

Initially, it can be challenging to share your feelings with a new person. I strive to create a safe space for individuals to share their thoughts and feelings freely. I provide guidance and support throughout the process.

As both a supervisor and clinician, I leave my needs at the door. It’s not only about meeting the needs of those who I’m supporting, but providing the type of guidance that the individual requires.

There are so many important details to each individual: how they see the world, what motivates them, and what challenges them. I strive to adjust, and determine what the individual sitting across from me needs. I think of myself as a bit of a chameleon that way.

Q. How would you describe your therapeutic approach?

A. As both a clinical supervisor and clinician my approach is person-centered. I like to meet the individual where they are. I strive to be flexible, understanding, and intuitive. 

I also believe that every individual is unique and there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. The overarching goal of my work is to develop new tools and strengths to facilitate positive change.

I’m experienced with using a variety of different therapeutic modalities including: 

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Expressive Arts Therapy (Art/Music/Dance Therapy)
• Mindfulness/Meditation
• Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Q. What inspired you to pursue the mental health field?

A. As a young person, I gravitated towards the role of mediator. I found myself in situations where I was the voice of reason. I was naturally skilled at helping friends and family members articulate their thoughts and feelings in a way that inspired open and honest communication. 

Being an emotional child also sparked my curiosity in mental health. 

 I studied broadcast journalism in college. I dreamt of one day becoming a news reporter. I quickly realized that journalism wasn’t the lens that I felt comfortable approaching the world with. I was left in this liminal space to find “the thing” that would inspire me and help others.

When I discovered that mental health counseling was a viable job, I decided to pursue a Masters of Art in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lesley University. I found myself invigorated by the clients I was working with, and the support I was providing. It all clicked for me. 

Six years into the clinical mental health field, I discovered clinical supervision. The role of clinical supervisor lent me the opportunity to support clinicians who were completing their degrees, starting their careers, and those who had been working in the field. It felt empowering to be able to collaborate with, and offer guidance to my colleagues. 

My family always thought that I should be a teacher. As my journey unfolded, I ended up doing a lot of training and teaching in the field of mental health.

Q. What was your experience working in the field before joining HBH?

A. I’ve been a practitioner in the field of mental health for 16 years. I’ve supported individuals in outpatient, residential, and school-based settings.

For the past 8 years, I was the Director of a partial hospitalization program for children and adolescents in Greater Boston. I had the opportunity to supervise the staff of the program, and support clinical interns studying to get their Masters and Doctorate degrees in clinical social work, clinical mental health counseling, and clinical psychology. 

It was exciting to support those who were in the early stages of their clinical mental health journey. The opportunity to train so many people from all walks of life, who were approaching mental health from different angles, has been my proudest accomplishment. I love teaching people about mental health.

Q. As a new member of the HBH community, what are you looking forward to?

A. With 16 years of working in the field, I feel intrigued and stimulated by this career move. Something new is firing in me, and I’m feeling inspired.

Q. What do you like most about working and living in Massachusetts?

A. New England feels like home to me. I can be a creature of habit, so it’s not unusual that I’ve stayed in New England. I’ve also always felt the need to live near the water. 

Massachusetts feels very inclusive and supportive to me. There’s lots of exciting innovations in the medical and mental health field.

Interested in working with Alexandra?

If you’re looking for a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings and receive support, Alexandra is here for you. 

To connect with Alexandra online, please call us today at (413) 343-4357.

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