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Dr. Alex Ertl

Alex Ertl Clinical Director
Alex Ertl Clinical Director

Dr. Alex Ertl

Clinical Director

PHILOSOPHY OF CARE

I view therapy, first and foremost, as a place for both the patient and the therapist to be real and authentic. To make the many aspects of our life work, we often end up denying parts of ourselves. Therapy can be a place where we come together to listen to and honor those parts of ourselves that we have cut off. One of the deepest reasons why I love being a therapist is because it is a unique opportunity not found many other places in life where we can sit across from one another and be truly honest. And over time, as we come to acknowledge and accept those parts of self that have been left behind, we can come to feel whole again. In this way, therapy does not eliminate every pain or problem, but it is a chance for reducing unnecessary suffering while being kind to ourselves in the face of the inherent struggles of life.
Of course, everyone who comes to therapy is distinctly unique; we each bring identities, histories, values, and personalities that belong only to us. For this reason, I strive to tailor therapy to the specific needs of each patient, while still highly valuing authenticity. Some people thrive most when they have structure, so we may make therapy a bit more predictable at first to provide some security. Some people, possibly after a loss or major transition, need space to be able to simply explore, make meaning, and redefine themselves. To meet such various needs, I always work collaboratively with my patients to establish how to make the most fruitful use of our time together.
While I may have expertise in mental health, I view my patients as being the experts on their own lives and experiences; It is the combination of our efforts which leads to enhanced lives. In my experience, patients flourish when their therapist does not take the stance of an expert on their life. Instead, I wish to walk alongside my patients, holding up a lantern to help illuminate the ground in front of us. When we come to a barrier or fork in the road, together we experience it and together we decide which way is best to turn. If I can empower my patients to define their own path, when they arrive at their destination, they can take ownership of the progress they have made and feel confident to take those next steps on the road of life.

Education and Licensure

B.A., Summa cum laude, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 2010
M.A., The University of Indianapolis, IN, 2013
Psy.D., The University of Indianapolis, IN, 2016
Licensed Psychologist, State of Utah, 2017

Clinical Experience

My clinical training began in 2006 when I started volunteering for different counseling hotlines, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. After completing an honors major in Psychology at Rutgers University, I worked with multiple therapeutic agencies in my surrounding New Jersey communities, including inpatient facilities and in-home services for children and adolescents. In order to serve patients with greater effectiveness, I returned to school on a fellowship to pursue my doctorate in Psychology at the University of Indianapolis. My graduate training has been generalist in nature, providing me with clinical knowledge and skills to address a wide variety of concerns, ranging from depression and anxiety, to relationship troubles and trauma. To enhance my broad range of skills that apply to adults and adolescents, I engaged in clinical rotations in community mental health and university counseling centers during my doctoral training. I completed a year-long internship at Appalachian State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center in North Carolina. During this time, I received specialized training in the trauma recovery process, with an emphasis on recovering from sexual assault. Since this time, I have continued to gain expertise in the treatment of trauma, including receiving training in the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR). And having worked with numerous college students who faced a time of transition in their lives, I have become especially adept at helping people navigate new chapters and identities, including working with the LGBTQ+ population. Additionally, I have received training and had many productive experiences in working with couples who are seeking to repair or improve their relationship.

Professional Affiliations

Utah Psychological Association (UPA)

Area of Specialty


Helping People With

ADHD
Agoraphobia
Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Couple/Marital/Relationship Conflict & Dysfunction
Depression
Divorce Issues
Grief/Bereavement & Loss
LGBTQ Affirmative Therapy
Life Transitions
Maladaptive Coping Skills
Multi-Cultural Issues
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Panic Disorder
Personality Disorders
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Sexual Trauma
Social Phobia/Social Anxiety
Specific Phobias
Spiritual/Faith/Religious Transitions
Veterans

Trained In

Interpersonal Process Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Person Centered Therapy
Existential Therapy
Prolonged Exposure
Exposure and Response Prevention
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Mindfulness Training
Emotion Focused Couple’s Therapy

Ages Served

18+