About me
Hi, I’m Alex, a licensed clinical psychologist. I’m a triple Hoo, graduating from UVA with my Bachelor’s, Master’s, and finally PhD in clinical psychology in 2020. I’m one of those UVA students who could never leave Cville!
I specialize in working with adults and teens with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. I also really enjoy working with clients who struggle with big emotions. I take a cognitive-behavioral approach, meaning I work collaboratively with my clients to identify how what we’re thinking and what we’re doing affects how we feel. In a lot of ways, my job is to be my clients’ cheerleader as they accomplish their therapy goals. I’m upbeat and positive in sessions, and will push you to be the person that you want to be.
I also work with families to better understand the challenges they face in communicating with one another. Together, we identify patterns that may be getting in the way of connection and brainstorm practical ways to strengthen relationships and improve well-being for all family members. I especially enjoy supporting parents as they learn to set clear rules and boundaries, and to follow through with consistency and compassion—helping them create a home environment that balances structure with love.
Education
PhD in Clinical Psychology
2016-2020
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Dissertation: Experimental examination of message framing to increase dissemination of evidence-based treatments
Pre-Doctoral Internship
2019-2020
MA in Psychology
2014-2016
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salem, VA
Pre-doctoral Psychology Intern, Generalist training
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Predissertation: Implicit health associations across the adult lifespan
BA in Psychology with
Highest Distinction
2007-2011
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Minor: African American Studies
Honors thesis: Healthy interpretations with healthy aging
My professional training has focused heavily on understanding anxiety and the ways our thoughts shape our emotions and behavior. I enjoy helping clients recognize when anxiety is leading them to overestimate threats, underestimate their ability to cope, or become stuck in unhelpful patterns. Together, we work to develop a more balanced and compassionate understanding of life's challenges. While much of my training has focused on anxiety, these skills are also helpful for addressing depression, stress, self-doubt, and other emotional difficulties.
I have also specialized in working with individuals and families affected by neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other forms of cognitive decline. In addition to providing therapy for individuals living with these conditions, I have worked extensively with spouses, partners, and family members as they navigate the emotional, relational, and practical challenges that often accompany these diagnoses.
During my clinical internship at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center, I had the privilege of working with veterans and their families across a variety of settings, including chronic pain, trauma, gerontology, and behavioral medicine. This experience reinforced my appreciation for resilience, adaptability, and the importance of tailoring therapy to each individual's unique circumstances and goals.
Today, I work with individuals, couples, and families across a wide range of concerns. My approach is collaborative, warm, and grounded in genuine human connection. I believe meaningful change happens when people feel understood and supported, while also being challenged to grow in ways that align with their values. Whether I am helping someone navigate anxiety, process a difficult life experience, strengthen relationships, or improve communication within a family, my goal is to help clients better understand the connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors so they can move toward the life they want to build.
Clinical work
My primary therapeutic orientation is cognitive-behavioral, which means I help clients understand the connections between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. At its core, CBT is about identifying patterns that may no longer be serving us and developing new ways of responding to life's challenges.
While CBT is one of the most well-researched forms of therapy available, I recognize that many people have mixed feelings about it. Some worry that it will feel overly structured, overly focused on positive thinking, or dismissive of difficult emotions. In my experience, effective CBT is none of those things. Instead, it helps people better understand themselves, develop practical skills, and respond to challenges in ways that align with their values and goals.
I also integrate mindfulness, acceptance-based approaches, and family systems perspectives into my work. No two clients are exactly alike, and I believe therapy should be tailored to the individual rather than forcing individuals into a particular treatment model. I view my clients as the experts in their own lives and strive to build on their existing strengths, resilience, and lived experiences.
For clients seeking a more structured approach, or for concerns that respond particularly well to specialized treatments, I also provide several evidence-based therapies, including:
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Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD and trauma-related concerns
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) for sleep difficulties
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Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) for relationship concerns
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain
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Unified Protocol (UP) for anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders
These approaches may be requested by clients and families, or recommended based on individual goals and presenting concerns.
Treatment approaches
Teaching
Therapeutic Mentoring Training and Consultation
In addition to my clinical work, I provide training and consultation in therapeutic mentoring and youth mental health. My work in this area has included developing and teaching undergraduate and workforce training programs, providing training to community-based organizations, and conducting research on therapeutic mentoring practices and outcomes.
As part of the Transforming Boston Access to Mental Health (BAMH) in Massachusetts, I developed and taught a university-level course in therapeutic mentoring designed to prepare students for careers supporting youth and families. I have also provided training and consultation to mentoring and youth-serving organizations seeking to strengthen staff skills in areas such as relationship building, communication, behavioral support, emotional regulation, and evidence-based helping strategies.
My approach to training is informed by both clinical practice and research. I am the first author of a published scoping review examining the therapeutic mentoring literature and have contributed to efforts to better define and professionalize the role of therapeutic mentors within children's behavioral health systems. This combination of clinical, teaching, and research experience allows me to translate evidence-based concepts into practical skills that mentors and frontline providers can use in their everyday work with youth and families.
Organizations interested in training, consultation, curriculum development, or program support related to therapeutic mentoring are welcome to reach out.
In addition to my clinical and teaching work, I am actively involved in research focused on expanding access to effective mental health support. Much of my research has examined how evidence-based practices can be delivered in ways that are engaging, accessible, and responsive to the needs of real people and communities.
My scholarship has explored topics including anxiety and emotional disorders, digital mental health interventions, mentoring relationships, therapeutic mentoring, and innovative approaches to supporting youth and young adults. I am particularly interested in understanding how mentors, paraprofessionals, technology, and community-based providers can complement traditional mental health services and help bridge gaps in care.
I have authored more than 35 peer-reviewed publications and before turning to full-time clinical work, regularly presented at national and international conferences. My research informs my clinical work, teaching, and consultation, allowing me to bring both scientific evidence and practical experience into the services I provide.
Selected publications are available below for those interested in learning more about my work.
Research
Werntz, A., Rhodes, J. E., Brockstein, H., Fallon, L., & Cook, A. (2025). A scoping review of therapeutic mentoring for youth mental health. Frontiers in child and adolescent psychiatry, 4, 1509971. https://doi.org/10.3389/frcha.2025.1509971
Werntz, A., Amado, S., Jasman, M., Ervin, A., & Rhodes, J. E. (2023). Providing Human Support for the Use of Digital Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Meta-review. Journal of medical Internet research, 25, e42864. https://doi.org/10.2196/42864
Wolfe, E. C., Werntz, A., Michel, A., Zhang, Y., Rucker, M., Boukhechba, M., Barnes, L. E., Rhodes, J. E., & Teachman, B. A. (2026). A mixed methods evaluation of a pilot open trial of a mentor-guided digital intervention for youth anxiety. PLOS digital health, 5(2), e0001187. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0001187