- Client-centered work
- CBT techniques
- DBT skills
About Al
Al Balaa is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC (Maryland), with 12 years of clinical experience. He supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem struggles, compassion fatigue, addictions, relationship difficulties, anger, career concerns, bipolar disorder, depression, life changes, and ADHD. Sessions are carried out in English and he accepts international clients.
He aims to help people notice patterns that keep them stuck and try different ways of responding. In practice he uses clear, straightforward conversation and practical exercises. He also works on issues like forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, and self-love when those come up.
Al draws on a mix of approaches including client-centered work, cognitive behavioral methods, dialectical behavior strategies, existential questions, and hypnotherapy techniques. That lets him shift from talking through thoughts to trying specific skills and then reflecting on meaning and values.
Sessions tend to focus on what is getting in the way day to day - repeated anger, rising anxiety, or trouble sleeping after trauma. He helps people build coping skills, practice new responses, and test small changes between sessions. Progress is handled step by step rather than rushed.
People who want practical tools alongside deeper reflection often find this style useful. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session to set goals and priorities.
How his approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so clients can find their own solutions. It emphasizes being heard, clarifying goals, and choosing next steps that feel manageable for the person. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks down unhelpful thoughts and behaviors into concrete parts and offers exercises to test new ways of thinking and acting. That approach is useful for anger linked to automatic reactions, anxiety, or low mood. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication. DBT skills practice can reduce impulsive responses and help repair conversations after conflict.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. He will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs and goals. That can mean focusing on skills first, moving into deeper meaning work, or combining methods across sessions. The decision is revisited as progress and priorities change.
The original biography does not list specific online formats, so please confirm available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten a check-in day, avoid travel time, or reduce the need to be on camera. Licensed professionals can use these options to keep work consistent while helping people try new patterns and practice skills between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
Maryland
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he address related to anger?
He works with anger alongside related issues such as stress, relationship strain, resentment, and trauma.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He blends client-centered conversation with practical exercises from CBT and DBT, plus existential reflection and hypnotherapy when appropriate.
How many years of experience does he have?
He has 12 years of clinical experience supporting people with a wide range of emotional concerns.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an LCPC in Maryland and practices under that credential.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.