Alex Rosa, MS, LMHC

As a child, I was raised in a working-class family in Brooklyn, NY, which ingrained in me the values of close family relationships and the bonds of a tight community. Upon graduating from high school, I moved to Tampa where I eventually made the decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 2004 and served until 2015.

During this time, I developed a strong desire to help others after seeing the toll multiple combat deployments could have on individuals and the community at large. Obtaining my degree allowed me to get in the trenches with people to face the hardest parts of their life. Working in residential and acute hospitalization settings, I saw how pervasive substance abuse and sexual assault or trauma are at the core of mental health issues. Even when depression or anxiety is the presenting concern, many individuals seeking treatment would still have some history of some form of trauma or substance use. It became apparent how important it was that I learned how to dive deeper into those wounds to help people heal. This contributed to my decision to be trained in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Dialectical Behavioral (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

As a clinician, I seek to understand each person’s worldview and to understand the root causes of what brings them to counseling. Providing a safe space, we can collaboratively explore how past traumas have created wounds and how thoughts, feelings, or behaviors may be keeping someone stuck. I work with my clients on how to identify problematic patterns, set boundaries, understand their emotions, and express themselves authentically. Ultimately, clients should feel empowered in their life to shed negative core beliefs to better align with their true self and core values. This allows them to shape their environment to have better outcomes for daily living.

For some, working with a male therapist may be uncomfortable because of the biases in our society about masculinity. The client-therapist alliance is paramount to the healing process, thus I seek to provide an appropriate experience of how men can show up in one’s life. It is important to me to establish an environment where clients know I hear and value them. I am guided by the principle that all people are inherently valuable and worthy of grace due to my belief in Christ. That is to say, I am a Christian who also understands that people have been hurt by the weaponizing of religion. As a guide through this healing process, I respect people of all walks of life and am here to walk with you on your journey.

When I am not in the office, I value spending time with my wife and daughter, remaining physically active through regular exercise, and love challenging my patience with the game of golf (maybe Dr. Sheriece can help my golf game).

Warm regards, 
Alex

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him/His