Alexandra Ainge Cottle

Caring counselor for relationships and life transitions

LCMHC, LPC Utah

Experience: 12 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Alexandra

Alexandra Ainge Cottle is a licensed counselor who helps people handle stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, and life changes. She brings practical support for depression, trauma and abuse, parenting concerns, and issues around intimacy and self-esteem.

Background and approach

Alexandra works with people facing career stress, compassion fatigue, and challenges related to eating, sleeping, or caregiver strain. She uses straightforward, person-focused care.

Sessions tend to be collaborative and goal-oriented. Alexandra draws on approaches like the Gottman Method for relationship work, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-based ideas, client-centered listening, and cognitive behavioral techniques.

Her path began with a Master of Science in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah where she focused on cognitive behavioral and multicultural counseling. Alexandra started in school settings and spent time volunteering in shelters and community organizations, which shaped her practical approach.

Over a dozen years in practice have included independent practice work and many hours with adolescents, couples, and individuals. She has presented workshops on parenting, anger management, grief, self-harm prevention, and marriage topics in community settings.

In sessions she aims to create a compassionate, understanding space with room for honesty and occasional humor. She says her own experiences with loss and change inform her work and help her relate to clients navigating hard life events.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Alexandra uses the Gottman Method for relationship work, which focuses on improving communication, reducing conflict, and building emotional connection between partners. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose values-based actions to move forward. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early connection patterns influence present relationships and helps people shift those patterns for healthier bonding.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. Alexandra will talk with each person about their goals, needs, and preferences and then recommend strategies that fit. She adjusts methods over time based on what is working and what the client wants to try next.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation for skills practice and relationship work. Phone sessions can fit into a work break or be easier when bandwidth is low. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief check-ins, ongoing coaching, or when someone prefers written communication.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns can be addressed in sessions?

Alexandra supports people with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, depression, trauma, parenting challenges, intimacy issues, and related concerns listed on her profile.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

She uses a collaborative, person-centered approach that blends practical techniques with empathic listening and occasional humor.

What is her background and experience?

She has 12 years of clinical experience, began work in school settings, and has volunteered in shelters and community organizations.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds LCMHC and LPC credentials and practices from Utah.

Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.

What session formats does she offer?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as session formats.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGrief Depression

Also works with

LGBT Trauma and abuse Intimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Adoption and foster care Aging and geriatric issues Attachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issues Body image Caregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disability Codependency Commitment issues Communication problems Control issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issues Fertility issues ForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counseling Impulsivity Infidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisis Veteran and Armed Forces Issues Money and financial issues Mood disorders Multicultural concerns Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Postpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Pregnancy and childbirth Prejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

12+ years

Licensed in

Utah, Oregon

Languages

English