Our Team

Live Oak Jumbotron Image
Alex, a white non-binary woman with brown curly hair framing their smiling face wears a septum ring, hexagonal gold framed glasses, and raibow earrings that peak out from behind her hair. Her sleeveless buttoned up jumpsuit has a bright raindow, heart, and smiley faced pattern covering its black background. Her body is slightly angled so her left arm is in the foreground displaying thier black and grey tattoo sleeve. In a background you can see that her right arm has multiple colored tattoos covering it as well, including one of a cuttlefish.
  • Therapist
  • EMDR Therapist

Alex Hoffman

She/Her, They/Them

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Psychotherapist

ahoffman@liveoakchicago.com

213.557.1365

English

Values & Philosophy

As a therapist the values of radical empathy and compassion guide my practice. I believe my role in the therapy space is to treat folks who choose to entrust me with their stories as experts of their own lived experiences. I endeavor to dismantle the hierarchy of expertise wherein the therapist dictates what mental wellness looks like and instead work to co-create collaborative, meaningful, and honest relationships. I believe that it is in the context of these authentic relationships that folks are able to make the changes they seek and to take a critical look at what may no longer be serving them in how they are coping. I utilize a trauma-informed intersectional lens to implement approaches along the harm-reduction spectrum to support folks in creating relationships to themselves, other people, systems, and substances that are in alliance with their values and fit within their self-identified goals. As a nuerodivergent queer person I know how hard it can be to create community while maintaining a sustainable relationship to substances. I hold the conviction that a binary approach to treating substance use that pits harm reduction and sobriety as opposites is deeply flawed and ignores how all of the varied relationships in our lives are inextricably linked to one another, exert influence over one another, and impact our overall well-being.

Education & Training

Licensure

LCSW, 149.022691
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, 2020

Degrees

MSW
Loyola University Chicago, 2018

B.A.
Agnes Scott College, 2013

Areas of Focus & Specialization

  • Substance Use Concerns
  • Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance
  • Kink and Sex Positive Practice
  • Identity Exploration, Development, & Intersectionality
  • Depression, Anxiety, & Stress
  • Poly & Non-Monogamy Affirming Practice

I Work With

  • Individuals (Adults and Adolescents 14+)
  • Relationships (triads, polycules, metamours, constellations, couples)
  • Families (chosen & family of origin)

Modalities

  • Harm-Reduction
  • LGBQ+ and TGNC Affirmative Approach
  • Intersectional and Anti-Racist Feminist Practice
  • Client Centered, Insight Oriented, and Strengths Based Approach
  • Kink and Sex Positive Approach
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy Informed
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Informed