Dr. Alena Schuss, DMFT, LMFT #153178
Hi, I'm Dr. Alena Schuss, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Dr. Alena Schuss LMFT and Associates. I am deeply passionate about walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they navigate life's challenges and uncover pathways toward healing, growth, and lasting change.
Originally from Austria, my journey brought me to the United States in 2017 on a full athletic scholarship for cross-country and track. Before beginning my life in America, I also spent several years competing as a professional triathlete. These experiences shaped not only my resilience but also my understanding of the immense pressure high performers face — both mentally and emotionally.
I hold Master's and Doctoral degrees in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, complemented by degrees in Business Administration and Exercise & Sports Science. My academic foundation is paired with clinical expertise in working with trauma, grief, performance pressure, relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and addiction.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of working extensively with first responders, veterans, athletes, and high performers — individuals whose vocations and lifestyles often carry invisible emotional burdens. My doctoral dissertation focused on "The Lived Experiences of Adult Children Raised by Police or Fire Service Parents," further fueling my commitment to supporting those affected by high-stress professions.
I am certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), evidence-based approaches proven effective for trauma, grief, and crisis intervention. Additionally, I'm trained in Group Crisis Intervention and regularly provide Critical Incident Stress Debriefings for first responder departments.
DMFT, LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist CA #153178
Doctoral Dissertation: 2024.31770537
