Alda Teixeira, Licensed Clinical Social Worker offers an easy-going, compassionate, and direct approach to therapy. She provides a supportive and non-judgmental relationship for clients to fully and honestly understand themselves. 

For over 25 years, Alda has practiced individual and family therapy in a variety of settings, ranging from child protective services to the criminal justice system. Her former professional experiences, in tandem with her own personal journey as an immigrant woman, enables her to welcome all clients and life challenges with openness and intentionality. 

Alda believes that clients are the experts of their own lives and empowers clients to explore their experiences, values, thoughts, and behaviors with curiosity and compassion. 

She works collaboratively with clients and pulls from various clinical modalities, including  dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychodynamic therapy. She also brings principles of mindfulness into sessions.

Alda works with adult and older adult clients online in Massachusetts and in-person from our Franklin office. We sat down with Alda to learn more about her background in the field and approach to working with clients.

What inspired you to become a therapist and what have your previous experiences in the field involved?

Looking back, I can identify several markers and signs along the way that inspired my passion for social work. I grew up in Brazil and moved to the US when I was six years old. My parents are Portuguese and I’m bilingual. 

I majored in political science in undergrad, but ended up working in a community-based social services agency after graduating from college. I decided to pursue my masters degree in social work from Boston University and went onto working with at-risk families, children and adults involved with child protective services, many of whom spoke Portuguese. The work was challenging; my willingness to support people and families who’d been cycling through addiction, neglect, abuse, trauma for two or three generations expanded my resilience and compassion. 

From there, I started working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Working hands on with individuals from various different backgrounds, who were experiencing adverse life challenges and mental health conditions taught me the importance of the therapeutic relationship. I’ll always foster a positive, trusting, and compassionate rapport with clients.

How would you describe your approach to therapy?

My approach to therapy is person-centered, relational, and eclectic. I believe there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to personal growth and healing. The clients are the experts of their own lives. I’ll always meet clients where they’re at with respect, compassion, and empathy. 

My body language tends to be more laidback and I like to bring my sense of humor into sessions. Clients often describe me as easy-going, direct, and kind. 

With the client in the driver’s seat of the therapeutic process, I’ll pull from a variety of therapeutic modalities, such as dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness/meditation, and psychodynamic therapy to support their journey of self-discovery.

What mental health conditions and life challenges do you offer therapy for?

I’ll help adult and older adult clients work through the following mental health conditions and life challenges:

• Personality Disorders
• Anger Management
• Grief/Loss/Bereavement
• Trauma
• Depression
• Health/Medical Problems
• Self-Injurious Behaviors/Self-harm
• Anxiety/Panic/Phobias
• LGBTQIA+
• Bipolar Disorder
• Ethnic/Cultural Issues
• PTSD/Acute Stress
• Gender Identity

What’s your favorite part of being a therapist?

My favorite part of being a therapist is the ability to make a positive impact on a person’s life.

Start working with Alda Teixeria, LICSW today:

If you’re looking for an easy-going, funny, compassionate, and direct therapist to guide you through your journey of healing and self discovery, Alda Teixeria, LICSW is here for you. 

Alda offers therapy for adult and older adult clients online in Massachusetts and in-person from our Franklin office. 

To start working with Alda, contact us today at (413) 343-4357 or request an appointment online.

About The Author