Alexandra Calestini
Practical, compassionate therapy for growth
LCSW New York
- Experience
- 12 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
- Approaches
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
- Languages
- English
About Alexandra
Alexandra Calestini is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in New York who brings 12 years of clinical experience to work with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and challenges with self-esteem and confidence.
Background and approach
Her practice emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside client-centered and mindfulness-informed techniques to help clients identify patterns of thought and behavior and build practical skills for coping and emotional regulation.
Alexandra approaches care with empathy, respect, and authenticity, creating a nonjudgmental atmosphere where clients can explore difficult experiences such as abandonment, attachment concerns, body image struggles, relationship conflict, and dissociation. She incorporates elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and motivational interviewing when appropriate to support emotion regulation, communication skills, and readiness for change.
Her work also addresses issues like caregiver stress, codependency, domestic violence, and gender dysphoria. Clients will find a practitioner who values being culturally aware and who aims to empower people to make meaningful changes.
Alexandra frames therapy as a collaborative process and supports clients through the steps of grief, trauma recovery, and building lasting self-compassion and resilience.
Integrating evidence-based approaches in online care
The practice emphasizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve daily functioning. It also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, offering an accepting, empathetic stance that prioritizes the client's perspective and supports personal insight and self-directed growth. When needed, elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are used to teach concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist collaborates with each client to determine which methods best fit their goals, preferences, and current challenges. That collaborative exploration helps tailor techniques from CBT, DBT, and client-centered work to the individual's pace and priorities.
Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to increase access and flexibility. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care from home or work, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable while working toward emotional coping, clarity, and practical skill building.
Frequently asked questions
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Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Licensed
New York
Languages
English