Alyssa Podgorni

At Oceana Counseling, I provide a space for you to heal, evolve, and reconnect with yourself. Healing isn’t about “fixing” yourself, it’s about rediscovering the strength that’s already within you. I’m Alyssa Podgorni, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and EMDR Certified Therapist with 10 years of experience helping people break free from old patterns, process pain, and reconnect with a more grounded and empowered version of themselves. Therapy with me isn’t just about understanding what’s going on, it’s about actually changing how you feel. We’ll work together using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to process trauma, Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore and heal different parts of yourself, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to develop emotional balance, and polyvagal informed approaches to help your nervous system find safety and regulation. We’ll work together to create meaningful shifts in how you experience yourself and the world. My experience spans outpatient counseling, group therapy, school based therapy, in home therapy, and telehealth counseling, giving me insight into the many ways people struggle and the infinite ways they can heal. I work with individuals experiencing: ✔ Anxiety and stress management ✔ Depression ✔ Trauma and PTSD ✔ Perfectionism and self-criticism ✔ Life transitions (career changes, parenthood, grief) ✔ Women’s issues (self-identity, motherhood, relationships, work-life balance, postpartum mental health) Specialized Approaches EMDR Therapy Trauma doesn’t just live in your memories, it’s in your body, your reactions, and your beliefs about yourself. EMDR is a structured and powerful approach to help reprocess traumatic memories and reduce distressing symptoms. EMDR activates the brain’s natural healing process through bilateral stimulation, supporting the transformation of traumatic memories in a way that brings relief and lasting change. It is highly effective for PTSD, anxiety, phobias, and distressing memories. Internal Family Systems (IFS) IFS is a transformative therapy that helps you connect with and understand the different parts of yourself, offering a path to healing by fostering self-leadership and emotional balance. It allows you to build a compassionate relationship with your protective and wounded parts, leading to sustained emotional well-being Polyvagal Theory Your nervous system is always working in the background, shaping how you experience stress, safety, and connection. By understanding how your nervous system responds to stress and safety, you can learn to regulate emotions, build resilience, and improve social connections. This approach is particularly helpful for individuals who feel stuck in patterns of anxiety, hypervigilance, or emotional shutdown. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) DBT is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals develop practical skills for managing emotions, improving relationships, and navigating distressing situations. By focusing on mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT supports lasting emotional balance. Client-Centered Therapy Your therapy experience should be tailored to your unique needs, values, and goals. My approach ensures that sessions are personalized and empowering, allowing you to take the lead in your healing journey. Not sure where to start? A free consultation call can help clarify your next steps.