Alexandra Calestini, LCSW

Alexandra Calestini is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) based in New York who uses practical, evidence-based methods to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. She brings 12 years of experience and a calm, respectful presence to each session. Alex aims to help people build self-esteem and greater confidence through clear, doable steps.

Her approach centers on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alongside client-centered listening. She combines structured skills work with space to talk and be heard. That mix helps people change unhelpful thinking and practice new behaviors between sessions.

Alex also uses elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness to teach emotion regulation and distress-tolerance skills. Motivational interviewing and narrative techniques are woven in to strengthen motivation and to reframe difficult personal stories. These tools are chosen to match each person's goals and challenges.

Sessions focus on real-life problems such as relationship communication, caregiver stress, body image concerns, and navigating separation or grief. Alex pays attention to attachment and abandonment issues, dissociation, and co-occurring concerns so treatment stays relevant. She emphasizes practical strategies people can apply right away.

People who meet with Alex can expect a nonjudgmental space where feelings are validated and progress is tracked. She helps set achievable goals, teaches concrete skills, and adjusts plans as needs change. The work is collaborative, steady, and grounded in everyday steps that make life feel more manageable.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online care

Alex often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of thinking and behaving. CBT sessions usually include clear goals, homework between visits, and practical steps to reduce anxiety and low mood.

She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes listening and empathy. That approach gives people space to tell their story and feel understood while deciding what changes matter most. Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques are used when emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills are needed; these teach concrete tools for managing strong feelings.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist and client review goals, try methods, and adjust plans together. Client feedback guides which techniques are emphasized over time so the work stays useful and relevant.

Online formats offered include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and screen-sharing for worksheets. Phone sessions can be a lower-bandwidth option for check-ins. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, skill coaching, or when scheduling a longer session is difficult. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and keep momentum between sessions.