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Alexandra Goldstein LCSW LMSW

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Welcome! My name is Alexandra (or Alex for short) and I am an independently licensed clinical social worker in NJ. With a bachelor's degree in human development from Binghamton University and a masters degree in clinical social work from NYU, I decided to pursue a career in behavioral therapy after battling and being successfully in-recovery from OCD for many years. Currently, I specialize in the treatment of OCD, general or social phobias, eating disorders, body image issues, low self-esteem and relationship challenges. I have also been trained as a call handler at the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and have experience supporting individuals and their families with eating disorders. I typically incorporate compassion-focused therapy for individuals to foster forgiveness towards themselves and others. This approach has been known to dramatically reduce rates of anxiety and depression by lowering levels of shame, guilt and self-criticism and elevating feelings of connection to others. I also provide ERP(exposure response prevention therapy for OCD and social phobias) and weave in mindfulness-based approaches to increase awareness of the mind-body connection. When I'm not seeing clients, I enjoy exploring new cities, dancing and playing with my Aussie puppy, Mocha.

IN MY SESSIONS WITH CLIENTS, I HELP THEM OVERCOME THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:

Common Social Phobia Symptoms

  • Fear of judgement

  • Fear of being watched or observed in public settings    

  • Avoiding social functions due to anticipated judgement

  • Experiencing physiological sensations before, during or after a social interaction. ie- heart racing, sweaty palms, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, stomach churning

  • Rumination after the event about how you appeared to others 

Common OCD symptoms

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  • Recurring and distressing thoughts, images or impulses related to religion that go against ones true values and desires

  • Recurring and distressing thoughts related to harming yourself or others, physically or emotionally, that go against your true desires, intentions and values  

  • Recurring and distressing thoughts related to germs, bodily secretions or other contaminants 

  • Recurring and distressing thoughts related to forbidden or taboo sexual thoughts, images, or impulses that go against ones true desires and values 

  • and many, many other themes including but not limited to: Distressing and unwanted thoughts around romantic relationships, religion, health issues, magical thinking/superstitious ideas, race, sexual identity and gender identity, hoarding/saving, morality

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Common Disordered Eating Symptoms

  • Low self-esteem 

  • Dissatisfaction with appearance or/and body image 

  • Feelings of shame/disgust towards oneself

  • Over-eating and/or under-eating

  • Preoccupation with food(content of food, nutritional value, and when to eat)

  • Hiding or being secretive with food and/or feeling out of control around food

  • Compensatory behaviors (over-exercising, laxative abuse, restricting after bingeing, self-induced purging) ​

  • Social isolation and significant interference with quality of life

How can OCD, Eating Disorders, General+Social Anxiety be treated?

Exposure Therapy (ERP)

Gradual, prolonged, consistent exposure to a trigger or fear is an evidence based practice shown to reduce or eliminate phobias and obsessive thoughts. This intervention is very effective for social anxiety, OCD and eating disorder treatment. 

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Helps individuals to understand the different parts of their personality, the wants and needs of each emotion that exists, and to help the different parts of them connect and communicate. It can treat trauma, anxiety, and depression. Underlying trauma can often be at the root of low self-esteem and eating disorders. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Focuses on accepting thoughts and feelings rather than resisting them and encourages individuals to commit to actions that align with values. It is used to treat eating disorders by helping individuals develop a healthier relationship with food and their bodies. It can also treat or alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Focuses on body awareness and releasing trapped trauma, anxiety and stress in the body. It can be life-changing for PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. It works to gradually re-experience and process sensations in a safe and controlled manner to restore body's natural ability to self-regulate

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